Downy woodpecker, male
A frequent visitor to the garden's suet feeder, and a year-round resident. Woodpeckers are drumming now (in fact, have been doing so for some weeks), a sure sign the breeding season is beginning for these birds. (CH)
10-MAR-2016
Red-winged blackbird, male
A set of three photos of red-winged blackbirds, taken by Barry. These are true signs of spring! Red-wings come back most years about mid-March, although we've seen them earlier (early March) and later in the month, but the average arrival is about March 10-12. And here they are. There is nothing more redolent of spring than the sound of their "O-ka-ree" call ringing across the land.
10-MAR-2016
Red-winged blackbird, male
Another shot of the male red-wing. Females will arrive in another week or two, by which time the males will have been checking out nesting territory in order to be ready with the serious business of courting, mating and nesting.
10-MAR-2016
Red-winged blackbird, male
The third photo in this series of our harbinger of spring!
08-MAR-2016
Grey squirrel, black phase
Squirrels are particularly active and noticeable now. Birthing season is around the corner, nests are being refurbished, and they are all trying to find food now that most of the natural food supply has been consumed. Thank goodness for the two feeders at the garden!
08-MAR-2016
Pileated woodpecker work
This old conifer is riddled with holes from pileated woodpeckers. Here, there are a couple of old holes, and one fresh one with the debris underneath. Pileated and other woodpeckers love standing dead trees which usually have a good number of insects burrowed within.
08-MAR-2016
Looking to the Interpretation Centre across the ravine
Looking more or less NW across the ravine at the Fletcher garden, to our Interpretation Centre, behind which is the model Backyard Garden.
08-MAR-2016
Old field habitat
The old field is to the left of the trees which form a band around the habitat. Further back, the trees of the old woodlot can be seen. All this in the middle of the city!
08-MAR-2016
White pines (Pinus strobus)
I noticed some of the white pines are looking unhealthy. It may be pine rust, or perhaps something else. It is worrying as these trees are not that old. I think they were planted less than twenty years ago.
04-MAR-2016
Grey squirrel
As can be seen, few crabapples left on this tree, but what is there, the squirrels will find. Most trees are now devoid of fruit and you can be sure that the fruit that is left on some trees is not palatable/edible.
04-MAR-2016
Grey squirrel
Feeding on the remaining crabapples. Natural food sources are scarce these days, so it is a good thing spring is on the horizon with fresh buds, new growth...
04-MAR-2016
Ice patterns
This lovely shot by Barry shows that if you keep your eyes open, you can find things of interest to photograph even when most of what you see is snow and ice.