Within the stillness of the fresh new snow is the sound of the trees reflecting on water not yet frozen by winters chill.
Wishing you a wonderful and very merry Christmas.
Tag: environment
Decembers Light
The mid-December sun, traveling low across southern sky casts long shadows on the icey blue face of a small pond and gently lights the landscape beyond. Decembers light is like no other and helps me keep track of the time like no wall calendar or wristwatch can.
Mr Canvasback I Presume
Looking a little sly this Male Canvasback seemed to be taking a break form the water yet poised to hop back in while resting at the edge of the ice. Notice the band on this guy, he is special and I wonder what story his band will tell.
The Creeper returns.
While the nuthatches and chickadees visit the spruce trees in droves each winter we typically see only one or maybe two Brown Creepers busy foraging in the trees. We suspect they are after the seed that the nuthatches have just hidden.
Easy pickings or are they still searching for insects?
American Three Toed Woodpecker: Picoides dorsalis
While out on a hike we followed the sound of a woodpecker pecking in the forest fully expecting to find a Downy Head or Hairy. When we finally spotted the source of the pecking we were thrilled to find an American Three Toed Wooedepcker: Picoides dorsalis working away looking for a meal. Why this species evolved to have only three toes instead of the typical four seems to be a matter for debate however the Cornell Lab of Ornithology suggest that three toes may help deliver stronger blows with the beak while foraging.
pounce
Prowling a meadow for the morning meal and it sure looks like something is on this Coyotes radar screen.
Target in sight and onto the pounce
Looks like this attempt was a failure but it does not stop a coyote from trying. A lesson learned.
In the Wild
Oh the Squirrel. Our nemesis in the yard pillaging the bird feeders and outsmarting my attempts to keep them off. In the wild away from the city they are (serious hesitation) cute and this guy munching a pine cone as the November sky says time to fatten up brought a smile to our face.
Taking off
A small but mighty American Kestrel taking off in search of another meal on a cold yet sunny winters day. Just as we got close enough to this bird for a photo she took off. Too bad as we really wanted to admire that color in her wing feathers.
Ol’ Brown eyes
As we sat quietly waiting for a group of Waxwings to show up in the berry filled shrubs nearby this fine looking fellow strolled up to within 10 feet or so from us. He seemed not too worried about our presence and went about foraging as he made his way through the forest.
Score
Finding food sure can be hard work. Which reminds us it’s time to put out the feeder for these guys as winter is heading our way.
We were watching this House Sparrow search intently through the gravel and forest debris and score with what appears to be a tasty little seed.
A bite well earned.
nature has no boss 
You must be logged in to post a comment.