03-FEB-2011
Looking west down Green Heron Way
A play of light and shadow on the service road as it heads toward the barn. It looks like a rural scene from far outside the city, doesn't it? Who'd think that this is in the heart of a big city!
03-FEB-2011
New Woods
This is a view west through the New Woods from the pond. The fresh snow is beautiful in the sun, and the mild temperature (-6), after yesterday's cold and blowing snow, made for a glorious day.
03-FEB-2011
Bird activity
In the fresh deep snow, this sign of activity stood out. Looking closer I could see two sets of wing marks, big enough to be either a crow or a hawk. It looks like the the bird dove down, put out its wings to steady itself, then hopped a bit further and spread its wings again. No doubt a mouse or vole was making its way just under or over the snow. Probably under, as I didn't see any tracks. Perhaps it surfaced at this point and caught the attention of whatever bird made these marks.
When I was leaving, I saw the red-tailed hawk sitting on the red barn by the New Woods. First time I've seen it for awhile.
01-FEB-2011
Manitoba maple keys (Acer negundo)
These are the seeds, or keys, of the Manitoba maple that feed so many birds and squirrels all winter. I was checking out how many are left around the FWG, and I'd say more than 75% of the Manitoba maple keys have been consumed. By winter's end, there will only be some here and there remaining. This maple is native to the Prairie provinces (hence its name), but is considered an invasive in Ontario. However, it seeds prolifically and grows quickly (not always a plus in many people's minds) and therefore quickly produces seeds which feed wildlife.
01-FEB-2011
Goldenrod galls in old field
There are a remarkable number of goldenrod galls in this shot, which shows a small fragment of the goldenrods in the old field. In winter, you really get an idea of how many galls there really are. Not only in the old field, but all over wherever Canada and tall goldenrods grow. Many of them are chewed open by mice, red squirrels, and birds, seeking the fly larva inside. These galls are made by the goldenrod gall fly which you can see here:
http://www.pbase.com/fwg/image/104072334.
01-FEB-2011
Double goldenrod galls
Many goldenrods show double galls, like this one. Some even show triple galls, and I saw one near the Butterfly Meadow, but was too cold by that time to stop and take a photograph.
01-FEB-2011
Mourning dove
Huddled in a crabapple with five others. You can see the few snow flurries that fell in the morning, drifting down. There were a couple more mourning doves in the BYG, along with 5 cardinals. There were about 10 house finches and between 10-15 chickadees. A white-breasted nuthatch was near the Ash woods. Over on the farm, I saw four snow buntings, which made a nice change!