09-JAN-2018
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
In December 2017, I saw several red squirrels enjoying the crabapples on this tree. When I visited on Jan. 9th, most of the crabapples had been eaten, but there were still enough in a couple of places to attract this little guy who was busily feeding.
09-JAN-2018
Grey squirrel, black phase
The same squirrel from a few photos back. First he went on one side of the bench and peered at me, then he dove into the snow, and came up on the other side of the bench. I could almost hear him thinking, "darn, she's still there"!
09-JAN-2018
House finch, male
One of about 6 house finches hanging around the feeder in the Backyard Garden area.
09-JAN-2018
Squirrel tunnel
These tunnels are usually made by red squirrels who use them as a safe means of getting from one place to another, often just a short distance away. They are of course, ephemeral, and may be used once only, or, in some cases frequently. Naturally they are weather dependent. A thaw can collapse a tunnel, a heavy snowfall obliterate it.
09-JAN-2018
Northern Cardinal, female and male house finch
The cardinal was not too pleased when the house finch arrived and she chased him off, but he was soon back and eventually they briefly shared the feeder.
09-JAN-2018
The amphibian pond
The day started off grey, as the first photo of the pond shows, but just before I left, the sun popped out for a brief moment or two and you could even see blue sky. It didn't last.
09-JAN-2018
Northern cardinal, female
The Backyard Garden component of the Fletcher Garden was the place to see birds while I was there today: cardinals, downy woodpeckers, house finches, black-capped chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, and cedar waxwings. Elsewhere in the garden, I saw only crows.
09-JAN-2018
grey squirrel, black phase
The day being comparatively mild, squirrels were out in number, including many greys. While this one was in the BYG, most of the others were feeding on the remaining manitoba maple seeds scattered around the garden.
09-JAN-2018
House finch, male
There were about 6 house finches around the garden today, mostly males. Twenty years ago, it was not unusual to see flocks of 60-80 in winter, at least for a few years. Numbers since then have diminished greatly, not only at FWG of course, but around the Ottawa region.
09-JAN-2018
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
A native shrub, but the single one we have, above the pond, was planted some years ago, and did not appear naturally.
09-JAN-2018
American redstart nest
A pair of redstarts occupied this nest in the summer.
09-JAN-2018
Cedar waxwing
One of a small flock of about 15 birds. They've been scarce in the region of late, not many found on some of the local Christmas Bird Counts, so it was nice to see them today.
09-JAN-2018
Snow blowing off red barn
The red barn faces open fields and the wind was rushing around the fields and up and over the barn, blowing snow from the roof.
09-JAN-2018
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
The dried head of tansy flowers against the snow. During its blooming period, this plant is attractive to numerous insects such as bees, flies, beetles, etc.
09-JAN-2018
The amphibian pond
Now snow covered, but seemingly not completely solid yet. Or perhaps it is just ice exposed under the snow. At any rate, there were no tracks on the pond. In years past, there would frequently be fox tracks across the pond the morning after a fresh snowfall.
09-JAN-2018
Old woods
Looking south to the old woods on the left and the butterfly meadow on the right, behind the trees.
09-JAN-2018
Downy woodpecker, male
Several downy woodpeckers near the Backyard Garden, including this male.
09-JAN-2018
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Spiky seedhead of the coneflower which, in its blooming period, attracts many butterflies and other insects.
