A Coyote, Cardinal and Ice Crystals:

I didn’t notice the deformed beak on this male Northern Cardinal until I saw the photo on my computer. The bird appears healthy so must be able to eat. It would be interesting to know if the Cardinal hatched with the misshapened beak or had an injury early in life.

A healthy looking Coyote has been spotted many times in the past several months, but this was my first opportunity for a good photo! Typically when I see a coyote, I’m lucky to get any photos as they abruptly turn and run away when spotted. I assume I was standing where he had planned to go. He had to adjust his travel plans when I showed up on the opposite side of the meadow that he was about to cross.

The day after my Coyote photo shoot, I found a kill site. Based upon the fur, it appears the coyote had Cottontail for breakfast.

A feather stuck in the sand was covered with beautiful ice crystals. I then started searching for other ice crystals in the area.

Heavily cropped hexagonal ice columns, and other shapes on a broken stick.

I noticed the low water level of Lake Huron on the same day that flood warnings were being issued for the eastern side of Lambton County along the Sydenham River. I don’t remember ever being able to walk around the end of a groyne and stay dry. A build up of sand along the beach may be one of the causes for apparent low water levels.

Mystery tracks in the sand: I’m not sure what would be roundish and light enough to be blown across the sand. A few walnuts were lying elsewhere along the beach. Perhaps they’re walnut tracks!?!

Patterns in the melting ice