09-JAN-2014
Red squirrel with sumac seedhead
Red squirrels are always more easily seen and photographed in winter than during the warmer months when they are busy with young. They are entertaining to watch as they go about the business of gathering and eating food. This one cut off a sumac seedhead and buried it in the snow. It then ran off a short distance and dug up this other sumac seedhead and commenced eating it.
09-JAN-2014
Viburnum trilobum
This viburnum shrub is dripping with luscious looking red fruit but so far, it remains uneaten. With the deep snow and severe cold of this harsh winter, animals are finding it very difficult to get food. Squirrels have it better than most as they can climb trees and reach the highest seeds. The manitoba maples will soon be depleted of seeds, and many of the crabapples, ignored earlier in the season, are now being consumed. In the Arboretum I counted 11 squirrels in one large crabapple tree which will soon be stripped of fruit. The nearby large old amur maple also held a half dozen squirrels, feeding on the last of the maple keys.
09-JAN-2014
Wild plums stashed in tree
These were stashed above a nest box in which a red squirrel has a cosy nest. Walnuts, secreted away earlier in autumn, are mostly gone now, and the squirrel is dragging back sumac and plums and storing them nearby.
09-JAN-2014
Northern cardinal at feeder
The Ash woods feeder was being visited by three cardinals, including this female, a mourning dove, several chickadees and a white-breasted nuthatch. Not a lot of activity on this milder (-9c) day.
09-JAN-2014
Amphibian pond
The pond is well and truly frozen in now, and with the hard crust it is difficult to see tracks of fox or other animal. However, Saturday's predicted peculiar weather (rain and +8) if it materializes may see these conditions change.
09-JAN-2014
New Woods
Looking west toward the red barn and Prince of Wales Drive, hidden behind the distant conifers. Plenty of ski tracks and snowshoe tracks around the garden. The Bill Holland Trail is also well-trod and walkable. Standing near the benches (butterfly meadow and ash woods) I realized how deep the snow is for the seats are almost level with the top of the snow.
09-JAN-2014
Butterfly meadow in winter
You may find it hard to believe, but under this snowcover lies a garden of flowers! In another 4 1/2 to 5 months, there will be a plethora of plants.
04-JAN-2014
White-breasted Nuthatch
Diane photographed this nuthatch enjoying the suet in the Backyard Garden. Here, you can see the characteristic pose of this species, typically seen as it forages downward on tree trunks. You can also see the rusty colouring underneath.
04-JAN-2014
Mourning Dove
This mourning dove, photographed by Diane, is taking advantage of the spilled seed. Some winters we have seen large flocks of mourning doves remaining around the garden, but in recent years have found only 2 or 3 at a time.
04-JAN-2014
White -thoated sparrow
Several white-throated sparrows have been found at the FWG this winter, with reports of up to three. I've seen two, and Diane saw and photographed one on Jan. 4th. These birds typically head south in autumn, passing through our region in large numbers. But, occasionally, some try to overwinter. The winter of 2012/2013 also saw a white-throated sparrow hanging around at the garden. There are reports of a few others in the Ottawa region.
10-MAR-2008
Winter 2008
We've had a lot of snow thus far this winter (2013/2014), but look at the snow piled up in front of the centre in 2008! That was another year of massive snowfalls, about which I'd forgotten until I looked at this photo! I am posting it here for comparison to this year's winter...