Beaver in the Winter!

During my lunch walk today, I encountered a rather odd, wide trail.  Because I had been finding recent, nearby beaver activity, I started thinking that a beaver was touring through the snow.  

Upon closer inspection, I decided that the tracks were probably made by a muskrat.  The path was a well-used runway by something.

I followed the tracks and could see where the animal(s) had entered the water by digging under some tree roots.

Many trees have been felled this winter by the local beaver population.  Since the water has rarely frozen, the rodents have had easy access to land from their lodge. Beavers don't hibernate. They stay active in their lodges and under water when ponds and lakes are frozen.

Sometimes they tackle trees with a little too much gusto!

 I realize that not many people would take a photo of beaver scat, but I was intrigued by the amount of wood fibre that was left behind.  They eat cellulose found in leaves, roots and bark.

It reminded me of an encounter in 2008 when I found a wide track packed into the snow.  While my brain was processing the possibilities, I followed the trail.

When I caught up with the wet, snow covered beaver,  I felt like I had found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!  His wide tail, when dragged, had covered up the foot tracks.

The above photo was taken in Canatara Park on Christmas Day, 2019. Beavers have an amazing ability to live in water. 

• Very warm, waterproof fur. 
• Hind feet are webbed for swimming, 
• Nostrils will close when underwater.
• Transparent third eyelid to protect their eyes. 
• Tails help regulate heat and can store fat for winter.

Spring is Getting Closer!!

It was nice to see the sunshine and blue sky again this weekend!  I was excited to find my first Red-winged Blackbird of the year yesterday!  This species is my favourite indicator that spring is just around the corner!

We walked the loop at the Suncor trail both today and yesterday.  It's nice to see so many people using the local natural areas!  Phragmites removal is happening along the trail which now allows us to see more clearly into the water.  A beautiful male Green-winged Teal was hiding among the Mallards in the early morning sun.

We found a pair of Gadwall in the Suncor Channel.  

The male's black bum is visible in the centre of the photo.

We returned to the trail today to search for the female Wood Duck that we missed yesterday.  She was hanging out with the Mallards in the Wawanosh Drain.

Many orange legs and feet glowed brightly as the Mallards stood on the thin ice.

Earlier in the week a Brown Creeper slowed down enough for a photograph during my lunch break.  I usually end up with blurry images of this species as they move so quickly on the tree bark looking for bugs.

We weren't able to see many ducks on the Canadian side of the St. Clair River today as the ice was pushed to our side, forcing the birds to the middle of the river.  At one point a few Common Mergansers floated closer to shore. 

One more cardinal photo from the week...soaking up the sun!

Family Day Weekend - 2020

Yesterday morning while touring through southern Lambton County, we watched a Northern Shrike dive from the hydro wire to a mouse he had caught earlier and wedged on a tree branch.

He dropped it a couple of times but continued to fly back to the bush to feed.

While making a detour to find a geocache, we found 6 Blue birds!  

This female was busy hunting for bugs in a pasture.

This morning's adventures started at Rock Glen Conservation Area which hosts the only waterfall in Lambton County (that I know of) on public property.  Birds were scarce as we hiked along the Ausable River but the scenery was beautiful.  I can't remember ever hiking at Rock Glen during the winter months.

After leaving the falls, we continued north, and just past Hungry Hollow, we found a pair of Ravens building a nest on a silo! Ravens have been added to our Lambton County Bird List for the past few years but this is the first sign of a pair nesting locally that we are aware of.

While watching the Ravens, we realized a couple of Horned Larks were feeding near the road edge.  We have been trying to get pictures of them this winter, but they usually fly away when the car stops.

Back yard birds, including this Carolina Wren continue to be fun to watch.  

We regularly see 2 wrens at the feeders!

A Week of Snow and Ice and Cold

We ventured down to the St. Clair River first thing this morning 

and enjoyed the light reflecting on the water!

Many Long-tailed ducks were flying up and down the river.

Although the smooth areas at the mouth of river appeared to be water, 
they were fields of ice preventing the waterfowl from floating in the water for very long.  

We saw no sign of the Harlequins this morning.

Some ice was breaking up before heading into the river.

Sitting on an icy bench could potential result in a slide into the frozen water.

Ice forming on the railing shows the incredible power of the wind and the water!

After heading inland, we found a slightly cooperative Kestrel for a photo in flight.

Earlier in the week I found some hungry birds during my lunch break.

A pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets were foraging for bugs.

A Dark-eyed Junco fluffed his feathers in the sun, trying to keep warm!

There were tons of rabbit, squirrel and bird tracks in the snow.  Due to last springs long-lasting mud, more board walks were placed on our trails creating shelter for bunnies!

Ice crystals in a puddle at Henderson Conservation Area.

A Busy Week

It was a very busy week and I didn't have much time outside with my camera. 

The incredibly warm weather early in the week, was fooling some House Sparrows into collecting nesting material in February!  I hope they didn't get around to laying eggs!

4 Harlequins, (Ducks, not romance novels) have been hanging out in the St. Clair River this weekend.  As noted in Hinterland Who's Who, "It gets its English name from characters in Italian comedy that wear masks and have oddly painted costumes. They are a shy sea duck, about half the weight of a mallard." Deryl got a great photo of them yesterday!

When I had a chance to check them out today, they ended up taking flight.  The birds were much closer than the ones we saw on Vancouver Island last spring.

While joking about the Harlequin Ducks, I realized that Valentine's Day is this week and thought a beautiful red Cardinal would be a good way to sign off! Have a nice week!

Weekend Birds

The Tufted Titmice at the Pinery were interested in our food, but not in hand feeding. 

I had never thought about the difference between male and female White-breasted Nuthatches before.  This picture shows the closest bird, a female, with a grey head. The male on the other hand has a dark head.  I learn something new every day!

The Chickadees squabbled amoungst themselves and the other species when waiting impatiently for their turn at the seed.

We headed to South-east Lambton County today in hopes of finding a Golden Eagle.  Mosside Line was beautiful with the fresh snowfall.

We stopped to check out the many Mourning Doves perched on stalks of corn.

When they made a quick departure, we noticed the reason for their distress; the Golden Eagle was near!

Just ahead we spotted a Northern Harrier take off from a road side tree.

We then headed west along Bentpath Line to the St. Clair River where we found lots of ducks at Sombra, including this Redhead who was resting on the shore.

An American Wigeon, a first of the year for us, was a highlight. We also managed to find a pair of White-winged Scoters in the river and many duck and gull species.