22-DEC-2009
Fox tracks across the pond
Not a lot of fox signs this winter so far, but at least these tracks (and some scat)show that they are still around.
22-DEC-2009
Tracks, probably vole
These tracks make an intriguing snow pattern. I think they are meadow vole tracks, although they don't look quite right. They also don't look quite right for white-footed mouse, and are too big for shrew. The tunnel entrance at the top suggests vole, but I'll have to leave this as a question mark.
21-DEC-2009
Turtle raft in snow
The snow crystals on the frozen pond were dazzling today. And I thought the turtle raft looked rather pretty outlined by the snow. There were fox tracks across the pond, not many, just a few. But there were lots of other tracks, not sure what they were, but am guessing dogs.
17-DEC-2009
European starling eating Amur Corktree fruit (Phellodendron amurense)
Taken in the Arboretum not far from the FWG. Also eating this fruit were some robins.
17-DEC-2009
"snowflakes" or ice crystals on the Interpretive Centre window
I was inside the centre briefly this morning and noticed these crystals on the window, so decided to shoot a few photos. At one point, one of the ribbons we have put up to prevent birds from hitting the windows, blew across the window and I snapped this because it looks quite seasonal!
17-DEC-2009
House Sparrow, male
The cedars on the north side of the Interpretive Centre provide a nice, warm, snug hideaway for birds on these cold days. There were several cardinals, a few house finches, chickadees, and 7 house sparrows hiding in them. Gone are the days when winter brought flocks of 80+ house sparrows to the garden. Now, if we see a dozen we think that a lot. Whatever one may feel about house sparrows, which are not a native species, the reason for their decline (which is widespread, including in their native land of Britain and Europe)should worry us! Or at least give us pause. Do we know if their decline is caused by a natural falling off in their population, perhaps because as an introduced species they have reached a "critical mass" before falling back to small numbers? Or is something else that may impact on native bird species. Let me add, that I like house sparrows!
15-DEC-2009
Amphibian pond at the FWG
This is the seventh shot of the pond I've posted this month so far, and the month is only half over! It is just that the pond is very beautiful and can look so different under different conditions.
15-DEC-2009
American robin
This was one of five robins in the Ravine. Just after I said I hadn't seen any for quite awhile, these five turned up. They were feeding on crabapples. Later I saw them, or perhaps another group, in the Arboretum, eating the fruit of the Amur Corktree.
14-DEC-2009
FWG in mist and sun
This morning early I was on my to Larose Forest for a meeting, but the fantastic conditions created by the mist and hoarfrost enticed me to the FWG for 10 minutes. As I started photographing, the sun tried to break through the mist. Both mist and sun created a winter wonderland, very magical. The drive out to the forest was likewise very beautiful, the ordinary transformed into the extraordinary. On the way home at 2 p.m., the land had settled back into its usual mode, still beautiful in the snow, but without that element of wonder.
14-DEC-2009
Joe-pye weed with frost in the early morning
All of the plants were transformed into crystallized objects. Sadly, I could not capture what I saw.
14-DEC-2009
Backyard Garden
The Backyard Garden (BYG) at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, behind the Interpretive Centre. The sun breaking through the mist created this pinkish hue, quite magical.
14-DEC-2009
Mourning dove
While the others flew into the safety of the ravine, when I rounded the corner of the building, this one stayed put. Nothing was going to deter him from having a feed.
