15-JAN-2013
Red squirrel cone cache
You can see similar piles of cones all over the place, wherever there are conifers. At the FWG, the squirrels are not fussy as to whether they are collecting the cones from norway spruce, scotch pine, or any other conifer we have there. These caches are made in autumn and help the squirrel through the winter, though this diet is supplemented by other wild foods (maple seeds, sumac, goldenrod galls, etc.). Usually, these caches run out long before winter is over, and that is when squirrels really get busy seeking other foods. Each squirrel maintains its own cache(s). Grey squirrels scatter-hoard their food, a different approach.
08-JAN-2013
Four species in the Backyard Garden
The BYG was pretty quiet at first, but when I came back an hour later, there was a sudden flurry of activity. One each of white-breasted nuthatch (top L), downy woodpecker (top R), 5 or 6 chickadees (bottom L), and 5 juncos (bottom R), a mourning dove, three cardinals, and 4 common redpolls. Elsewhere, there was a flock of about 50 bohemian waxwings flying through the Arboretum, along with a flock of common redpolls (about 15), and half a dozen crows.
08-JAN-2013
Northern cardinal, female
Taken in the BYG where there were several cardinals, a couple of females and a male, hungrily eyeing the feeder.
08-JAN-2013
Mourning dove
Some winters we can see as many as 15 doves around, but this year so far, I've not seen more than one or two at a time. This was taken in the BYG. I checked the other feeder, where often doves huddle in the conifers or in trees draped with grape vines, but I saw no doves.
08-JAN-2013
Willow catkin
This willow tree is in the Arboretum, and every year in early January it puts forth catkins, as if spring is around the corner, when of course we know it is far off! This is a willow from somewhere like northern Asia, where it gets very cold, so perhaps to this tree, our weather is balmy enough to make the tree think spring really is around the corner.
08-JAN-2013
Red squirrel tunnel in snow
Red squirrels make many tunnels through the snow, temporary runs to enable them to run from one place to another with a degree of protection, rather than running across the top of the snow. This tunnel is just one of about 4 all within close proximity, but going in different directions. Nearby were a few runs made by cottontail rabbits eating the sumac.
02-JAN-2013
Ornamental crabapples (Malus)
I add this shot from the Arboretum, for a jolt of winter colour! These crabapples are still hanging on the tree, as they are on several others, indicating that they are not palatable to wildlife. All other trees with edible fruit have been stripped of their fruit.
02-JAN-2013
Pileated woodpecker, female
It was a cold day, with temperatures of -15 and a windchill of -27. Birds were active around feeders, seeking food. I was walking through the Ash Woods when I heard, from very close by, the rather maniacal laughing call of the pileated woodpecker. At first I couldn't see this bird because I was looking too high up in the trees, but eventually I saw at below eye level, clinging precariously, and oddly, to a very slender twig. I was sure it would break with her weight, but it didn't. She then flew off to the trunk of a pine where I managed this quick shot. At the base of another pine, a great pile of fresh wood shavings showed where she'd been previously working.
02-JAN-2013
House finches, male (L) and female (R)
In addition to the pileated woodpecker, there were about 10 house finches, five around the Ash Woods feeder, five in the Backyard Garden. A couple of mourning doves, a downy woodpecker, a few crows, about five common redpolls, and 4 cardinals, were the other birds found.
02-JAN-2013
Common redpoll in juniper
A small flock of common redpolls were eating sunflower seeds left for them on top of the bench at the west end of the garden, near this juniper. Nice to see these handsome birds hanging around!
02-JAN-2013
Common redpoll
One of about 5 common redpolls in the backyard garden, feeding on seeds left on top of the bench.
02-JAN-2013
Common redpoll
Another redpoll feeding on the seeds left on top of the bench.
