Browsing Deer

I took this photo yesterday just as it was getting dark.  Deer tracks are everywhere in the freshly fallen snow.

February Snowfall

Beautiful Sunrise

Immature Bald Eagle Surveying the Landscape

Nibbling the Lilac Bushes

It has become routine now. Every few days the deer wander through to nibble on things. Today they (a small herd of five) preferred the lilac bushes and the brush on the hillside.  On other days they have headed over to the two bird feeding stations. We don't encourage them to gobble up all the seeds though, and in one of the spots my husband has been able to erect a long pole that raises the clothesline to which the bird feeders are attached.  It was a comical sight, when on another occasion, two deer, with necks stretched upwards, contemplated a potential food source beyond their reach.

One of the fawns from the previous year

A doe nibbling on a lilac bush

The doe has spotted me watching her from the window

On This Lovely Afternoon

a chickadee gets something from the treat bag

It has warmed up to about -10°C which is pleasant enough, even if a bit nippy. 

Visitors

a doe (pictured below) and her two youngsters

All three spent a portion of their morning browsing in the nearby woods.

Birds in the Trees

Common Redpoll

Flying from branch to branch these small finches hungrily consume birch tree seeds on a cold, sunny morning.

Do Not Disturb

Hillside

 Moss and snow have been flung to one side by a mule deer wanting a quiet place to lie down for a few hours.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

We know of three nuthatches coming to the feeders - a family perhaps.

Such a marvelous little bird whose voice rings out from every corner of the forest.

Breezy Afternoon

Birch tree catkins blowing in the breeze

Temperature: -14°C, but much colder with the wind (17.7 km/h NNE).

Every now and again a gust of wind picks up a layer of snow from the ground to send it swirling away, while, at the same time, small clumps of snow fly off the swaying trees, creating a brief flurry. 

Tall Spruce Trees

the wise trees stand sleeping in the cold 
 ~ William Carlos Williams

These sturdy evergreens provide an important habitat for many bird species and mammals that are year round residents in the northern woods.  Red-breasted nuthatches, black-capped chickadees, pine grosbeaks, bald eagles, woodpeckers, crows, magpies and ruffed grouse, as well as mule deer, moose and red squirrels all rely on the added protection of the spruce trees during the harsh winter months.

-23°C and Laughing

A little humour for this chilly day.

A cold snap - rigorous winter conditions
that put us to the test - Ha! We’re used to this.

Still, a Caribbean cruise sometime soon
wouldn’t be out of the question, would it?

Snow-covered trees

On a Bone Chilling Day

The chickadees have been very active at the feeders today.  We also saw the two nuthatches who have been with us all winter and two or more redpolls.  Now where did they come from?  We haven't seen these small finches for some time.  But, somehow they always turn up whenever the temperature dips.

 Shelling a sunflower seed

All fluffed up against the cold

January

Frosty trees in the mid-afternoon light

Bald Eagle Pair

This is the second day that I've observed the Bald Eagle pair perched in the same tree that they were in yesterday at the other end of the property.  I first saw them yesterday at 12:30 p.m., and they stayed until shortly before 6:00 p.m.  Today, they flew from the distant tree to one closer to the house with much calling and communication.  There they settled for a brief time only before one of them flew off.

"Perching Habitat"

"...eagles consistently use certain trees and even certain branches on the tree.  As much as 75 - 83% of the daylight hours may be spent on a perch.  Most perches border open areas and provide a good view of the surrounding habitat.  Exposure to the sun may also be important by helping to reduce heat loss."  source:  Status on the Bald Eagle in British Columbia, February 1994 (Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks, Victoria, B.C.)

Companions

Two Bald Eagles perched in a favourite tree

Bald Eagle at Sinkut Lake

Mule Deer

Sunny, windy, +5℃

On a Drowsy Afternoon

A Ruffed Grouse pauses near some shrubbery for a quick nap in the sunshine.