Garter Snake

I don't often see the garter snakes in the summer, but two weeks ago I almost tripped over one sunning itself on the grassy path. They are not harmful to humans, and I think they look beautiful.

Snakes symbolize cycles, rebirth, patience, fertility, eternity, balance, cunning, intuition, awareness, healing, protection, solemnity, rejuvenation and also transformation.

ABC Wednesday

Birds in the Yard

It has been a great month for observing the birds in my yard and taking pictures. These are some of the lucky sightings that I just never had a chance to post before now as well as two recent ones.

August 6th ~

Close-up of a small bird
with beautiful soft, fluffy
brown and gray feathers
hopping in the grass

August 13th ~

A wary Northern Flicker,
looking for a meal of ants
(I had to step back from
the window to take this photo)

August 17th ~

Yellow Bird (Warbler?)
perched on my Hops Vine

August 20th ~

Cedar Waxwing
returning
for another berry

August 20th ~

A Thrush, I believe,
high up in the branches
of a Poplar tree

August 27th ~

The Serviceberry bushes
are like magnets
attracting many fruit-loving birds
at the present moment

August 27th ~

Ruffed Grouse
a year-round resident
of these woods
Notice his black ruff and crest

There were a family
of five
which came to visit

Camera Critters

The Forest (la foret)

"The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence
that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the
products of its life and activity; it affords protection to all beings."
~ Buddhist Sutra

Forest Path

Forest Dwellers

Red Squirrel

Downy Woodpecker

Mule Deer (this photo was taken last March)

and Me.

A drier spring than normal and a hot, dry summer has made this one of the most volatile years for forest fires in many regions of British Columbia. The majority of the fires have been caused by lightning.

Total fires to date: 2,606
Total area burned: 172,268 hectares
(figures are from B.C. Wildfire Management Branch)


ABC Wednesday is the creation of Denise at Mrs. Nesbitts Place.

Frog Crossing

While out hiking a trail this past week, we came upon a bunch of itty bitty baby frogs/toads. They were all over the place, scrambling to get out of the way of our giant feet (to a frog anyway). Once we saw them, there was nothing we could do but stand completely still and wait until they had safely reached the other side of the trail where they hid in the grass. They didn't stop for pictures, so I had to be quick to get these.

That's the little toadlet and his shadow down there

A closer look

Much closer

I'm not an expert on frogs and toads, but after a little research, I think this could be a Western Toad.

There are some great photos at these two links:
Carcnet (Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network)
Online Guide for the Identification of Amphibians in North America

Camera Critters