10-JAN-2011
Mourning dove
A pretty dove sitting in a manitoba maple near the Ash Woods feeder. In some winters we have had as many as 30 doves congregating in this particular spot, but those numbers haven't been seen for several years, unfortunately.
10-JAN-2011
The pond in winter
Looking east toward the ravine, across the pond draped in winter snow. It was a cold day (-10, windchill of -20), but brisk and a great day to be outside.
10-JAN-2011
Beaver tracks
A well trod trail along the edge of the pond made by the beaver. Once the pond freezes completely, he'll be snug under the ice, but hopefully not too hungry.
10-JAN-2011
American crow eating Staghorn sumac
Another species that enjoys the seed heads of the staghorn sumac. This large stand by the Old Field has lots of nice red "cones" left. Another stand, a short distance away has been well browsed by red squirrels who have harvested the seed heads and stashed them in the forks of trees. In addition to crows, chickadees, red squirrels, many other birds feed on these seeds as winter wears on.
10-JAN-2011
Black-capped chickadee with sumac
There are not many sumac stands still with seed heads or "cones" left at FWG this winter. Those that have the seedheads have been pretty well picked clean. This one in the BYG has some seed heads, many well picked apart. The chickadees were very busy at them, as can be seen by this one.
06-JAN-2011
Acorn buried by grey squirrel
While red squirrels store great quantities of food in large caches, grey squirrels perform what is called "scatter hoarding", burying one food item here, one there. In winter, they must then find these buried treasures and obviously they do find many. Speculation is that their sense of smell is so good that they can sniff out the nuts, acorns, etc. even when they are frozen and snow covered. In this case, the acorn was frozen into the ground and the squirrel I came across was standing in place gnawing away at the acorn. You can clearly see the teeth marks.
06-JAN-2011
Red squirrel with walnut
This rascally red was not at all deterred by my approach, and settled back to gnaw away at the walnut. you can see that there is still some of the kernel inside.
06-JAN-2011
New ramp on the bridge
The bridge has its finishing touch! A ramp on either end. And what a difference it makes. Much easier to walk across it now, rather than taking a big step up (and down). Nice work!
06-JAN-2011
House finch, male
This handsome male house finch was sitting in the BYG, along with about 8 others. Also around the BYG feeder were about 8 chickadees, a mourning dove, two male and one female cardinal, a male downy woodpecker, and two white-breasted nuthatches. As I was looking at the birds there, I heard a raven calling from somewhere near the parking lot. But other than a few crows, some rock pigeons flying over, I didn't see a lot in the way of birds. Have not seen the bohemian waxwings for several weeks.
06-JAN-2011
Beaver looking for food
This little guy, probably a youngster born in 2010, was warily navigating the snow above the pond to look for trees.
06-JAN-2011
Beaver in pond
The beaver was very visible today and very active. It looks rather thin and I worry it does not have enough food. For it to be so active in mid-day, in an area where many dogs occur is a sign that it is hungry and desperate enough to be out and about far from the pond. Here, he has just brought a branch down to the pond and was in the process of dragging it into this hole.
06-JAN-2011
Northern cardinal, male
This lovely male cardinal was one of two males and a female cardinal in the BYG at the feeder. Another two females and two males were near the Ash woods feeder as well.