Little House in the Big Woods

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Feathers (and others)

I've been taking lots of bird pictures over the last month as
they come back to the area (finally). I'm afraid I have become
a bird nerd. We just had a birding festival here, so now I'm hooked.

Trying to get the feeder put away for the summer, but some of us just won't give up trying to use them!

Wilson's Warbler....my new favourite

Chestnut Sided Warbler

Tennessee Warbler (I think)...it landed on my hand, then my camera
as I was sitting on the deck in the morning.

Song Sparrow...singing

Pelicans

Snowy Plover. This little guy has made me somewhat of a
celebrity in the nerdy birding circle. No one has reported seeing one in
the area before.

Semi-Palmated Sandpiper

Cape May Warbler

Black Throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Black and White Warbler (some names are just too obvious)

As usual, the squirrels amuse us. I assume he is resting? Or warming
his belly? Who's to know.

Broad-winged Hawk

Northern Parula...very pretty little guy...quite small

Early violets

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Tundra Swans

Bald Eagle

American Goldfinch (I think a young one from last year)

Adult...so pretty

Friday, May 08, 2009

Bird Brained Lately!

An unfortunate duck or goose met its fate at the lake,
and there were feathers stuck to everything!

Whiskey Jack

Hey, how did this little guy get in here?

Pine siskins...might look cute, but she was being mean
and not letting the other one in!

White Pelicans

These are the centre pieces for our bird festival dinner

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Recent stuff

A view from the back road...I wasn't going to mention it's the dump road,
but what the heck... I go there to visit the eagles.

A family of three going down the road

Morning after the freezing rain the night before

This fella was spotted at the edge of the yard.

Friday, March 13, 2009

During the spring and summer the base of the canyon is vulnerable to foot traffic due to the delicate vegetation. However in the winter, if you can struggle through thigh-high snow, and somewhat steep slopes, the view is terrific.
Bruce and I ventured down last weekend. I had been in the area the week before, but after tripping in my snowshoes, and floundering until I could release the harnesses, I decided I needed a rescuer should I try it again. Apparently the lake we walked on was stocked in other years with pickerel. May have to risk the idea of being stalked by bears and try it in the summer...mmm, maybe not!

Top left and over a bit, you might be able to make out the viewing pod the
public uses in the summer. When we first used to come here in the 70's, the public walked out to the edge to have a look-see!

A better view of the viewing pod way up there.

Despite warnings from me of being impaled by falling icicles, Bruce had to have
a closer look at the ice coming out of the rock. I did my part and took the pictures...I would have wiped out anyway!

A view back from whence we came. (up around the corner on the left).

These icicles were about 4 ft long and just ground water as it flowed over the
bare rock on the surface.

Heading back...thankfully ski-dos make a walkable trail for the 2 km or so back to the car.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

If I Could Talk to the Animals!

Bruce and bambi...our friends feed the deer in the backyard of their rural home, so here's a picture of Bruce feeding one of them. The rest were a bit suspicious.
I tried, but they seem to be used to the man's voice, so they wouldn't
have anything to do with me.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Get away from the birdfeeder!!

I looked out the window the other day to see this fellow sitting under the birdfeeder. Don't know whether he expected to catch an unsuspecting victim, or was enjoying the seeds... the former I guess.