Early Morning Light

I am up early these days. The sky was just beginning to lighten when I went outside with my camera. I was soon greeted by a panorama of sensational colours that changed moment by moment, muted at first and then radiant, the sky awash with the dawning of the day.

North - 7:05 a.m.

East 7:08 a.m.

South - 7:09 a.m.

West - 7:11 a.m.
Poplar trees catching the sun's radiance

Nature Notes

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Today is a blustery start to what is supposed to be a promising new month, considering that it is the month of the spring equinox. The wind is whooshing through the tall trees, causing them to sway. At the present, it's bright and sunny, but it could change if the clouds continue to roll in.

After lunch I went out and did my very first "gardening" chore of the year. It was only +6C, but it felt warmer in the sun, and I was in a sheltered spot out of the wind. With a shovel I lifted the softened snow out of the compost bin and separated the clumps of compost material that had accumulated over the winter months. I think perhaps I am getting spoiled. In the thirty years I've lived here, I've never been able to do anything about the compost until much later. It's just in the last few years that the weather patterns seem to have changed, and the winters haven't been quite so cold as they used to be.

Sunday, March 2, 2008
7:20 a.m.
-1C

This morning I was up early enough to witness a beautiful sunrise. I hurriedly put on my boots and coat and went out into the frosty air. The little redpolls were grouped together in a patch of gravel on the road, and it was quiet and still except for the sound of a few chirping birds.

Just as I was going to take one more picture of the sun's stunning display, I heard another bird loudly calling behind me. It flew over the driveway and straight to a hydro pole. It was a Pileated Woodpecker!! He clung to the hydro pole near the top (not a safe place to be) and commenced hammering away, powerful beak on dead wood - a resonating sound that ruined the early morning silence. W----- and I were both worried about the danger this large woodpecker was in, and we wished he would get off that pole pronto. Thankfully, he didn't dally long, and, to our great relief, flew to another spot.

Sunrise for a new month beginning

At Sunrise

Now the stars have faded
In the purple chill,
Lo, the sun is kindling
On the eastern hill.

Tree by tree the forest
Takes the golden tinge,
As the shafts of glory
Pierce the summit's fringe.

Rock by rock the ledges
Take the rosy sheen,
As the tide of splendor
Floods the dark ravine.

Like a shining angel
At my cabin door,
Shod with hope and silence,
Day is come once more.

Then, as if in sorrow
That you are not here,
All his magic beauties
Gray and disappear.

~ Bliss Carman (1861-1929)*

*Well-known Canadian poet who was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Many of his beautiful poems have a nature theme, and I remember being first introduced to his poetry in elementary school.

Carbon-neutral Bird Count

This is my list for February:

Bald Eagle - 2 (a pair)

Black-billed Magpie - 1

Black-capped Chickadee (male and female) - many
Common Redpoll (male and female) - many
Crow - several

Hairy Woodpecker (male) - 1+

Junco - 1
Pine Grosbeak (male and female) - many
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Ruffed Grouse - 1

"I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn."

~ from Walden by Henry David Thoreau

I, too, would like to pay tribute to all the hardy birds which inhabit the surrounding forest, keep me company and give me so much joy during the cold winter months.

February 16/08 - Pine Grosbeak, male and female in poplar tree

February 26/08 - Redpolls in saskatoon bush