13-NOV-2009
Downy woodpecker, female
Once the colder weather comes, and the feeders are full, especially if there is suet on offer, we find that downy woodpeckers are a regular at the garden. They are around most of the year, but are most often seen and easily observed in winter.
13-NOV-2009
Red squirrel giving a scolding
Occasionally I post photos taken in the adjacent Arboretum. This little guy was giving vent to his annoyance with my presence and I thought it was an appropriate photo for FWG too. After all, these guys are always scolding us at the garden! They thump their legs, shake their tails, throw their heads back, and let loose with a long scold!
09-NOV-2009
Red with walnut
How can anyone resist these little guys? They are so adorably cute, or at least I think they are! They are also great tree-planters, having helped populate the FWG with numerous walnut trees.
09-NOV-2009
South side fence
This is the latest structure to be built at the FWG. It defines part of our southern boundary. I think it is a wonderfully built split-rail fence, very much in keeping with the rustic feel of the garden. Kudos to the volunteers who built this.
09-NOV-2009
The pond in November
Looking north across the pond. You can see that a lot of cattails have been cleared out as part of an effort in late summer to open up more of the pond. Good work by our volunteers!
Red-tailed Hawk
This hawk had just caught a meadow vole and Bryan Shane just happened to be there when it occurred, camera in hand.
Red-tailed Hawk
Here the hawk has just caught the poor vole. This is a good view of those strong feathered legs that birds of prey have.
Red-tailed Hawk
The hawk flies off with its food.
Red-tailed Hawk and crow
Once the hawk had eaten the vole, it soared across the garden where a crow took great exception to it and did what crows have done for eons when confronted by hawks... it gave chase.
Red-tailed Hawk and crow
It looks as if the hawk is flying off, fed up with the harassment. Bryan notes that it looks like the crow is smiling here, and it does! Probably at a job well done!
03-NOV-2009
House wren nest
I continued cleaning out nest boxes today. Two of the nest boxes around the old field were used by house wrens, the first time this species has nested at the garden, at least as far as we know. And I suspect we would have known, because they certainly let you know when they are present. The first brood hatched and fledged quite quickly, and not long after the young were flying on their own, a second nest was made in another nest box. This nest, pictured in the photo, was much better constructed than the first one, with a deep cosy area thickly lined with feathers. There was one unhatched egg in there. The other nest was built on top of a mouse nest which was built on top of a squirrel nest! That one had several red cardinal feathers lining the nest.