Christmas Morning and An Ice Storm!

A very nice Christmas morning gift! - Finding a Screech Owl on our walk!

Lake Huron tossed chunks of ice crystals onto the beach on Christmas morning!

An American Robin continued to guard his favourite fruit tree.

Long-tailed Ducks "Rolling over the Billows" in Lake Huron - reminds me of a song from Girl Guides!

Ice Storm!

Much of Ontario experienced an ice storm on Boxing Day. A walk in Canatara the next day revealed damage from fallen trees and branches. I was already in the park that morning when I noticed the sunrise. It was difficult to choose whether to stay at lake level or go up Hawk Watch Hill. I got a few shots in near the lake which was good because the pink colour disappeared long before I reached the hill summit.

An Eastern Screech Owl residing in the Wood Duck box during the winter was peering out of its cavity. Perhaps it was checking to see if the storm had ended.

His head did a quick swivel to the left at the sound of something only he could hear. Possibly he was looking for some breakfast as hunting the night before was likely challenging due to the ice layer.

It was a tough day for all creatures to find food within the ice. A Black-capped Chickadee paused on this branch before moving on.

Northern Cardinal in search of food.

Although not a favourite source of food for birds, the Highbush Cranberries were also covered in ice, making them even less palatable.

Bittersweet under ice.

A Grey Squirrel ate a nut while framed within icy branches.

 December Things!

A male Northern Cardinal proudly displayed his red crest at our backyard feeder. Cardinals eat many kinds of birdseed, particularly black oil sunflower seed. They also eat beetles, crickets, katydids, leafhoppers, cicadas, flies, centipedes, spiders, butterflies, and moths, when available in the warmer weather.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Cardinal/lifehistory

The "resident" female Red-bellied Woodpecker has been finding food in lots of nooks and crannies. I have watched her extract sunflower seeds that were likely hidden by chickadees and nuthatches.

A Red-breasted Nuthatch was “flipping” seeds while eating.

A Cedar Waxing sat peacefully in the same fruit tree that was previously guarded by an American Robin. Cedar Waxwings are often heard before they're seen. Learning their high-pitched call notes can help to locate them. They can be low in berry bushes, high in evergreens, or found along rivers and ponds! 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cedar_Waxwing/overview

A Red-tailed Hawk has been hunting from high perches. He is much easier to see at this time of year since the leaves have fallen from the deciduous trees.

Fluffed up feathers on the hawk's underside are visible as he launched from a branch. Feathers are crucial in providing needed insulation in the winter months.

A Bald Eagle patrolled the southern edge of Lake Huron.

Interesting beach ice is forming thanks to freezing and thawing temperatures.

Santa was recently spotted on the Samuel Risley, a Canada Coastguard Icebreaker. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

  Pinery and North Lambton!

In hopes of finding some "sea ducks" (Black and Surf Scoters) we headed to North Lambton. Unlike Sarnia, there was a lot of ice build up in Lake Huron and a scope was needed. A Black-capped Chickadee provided some entertainment! No scoters were found.

Lake Huron View at Kettle Point.

Two Bald Eagles: "dots" on the edge of the ice.

Canada Geese on some mini ice flows at Kettle Point.

Pinery Beach #9 access stairs, slightly buried.

2 Bohemian Waxwings were mixed in with a dozen Cedar Waxwings. They were first noticed high in the trees but one flew down to snack on some Juniper berries. Rusty undertail feathers are one of the features separating the species from Cedar Waxwings.

Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were very bold and apparently hungry!

Chickadees continued to be interested in the scope.

A patient Tufted Titmouse.

We took the backroads home to see what we could find. A flock of 150 Snow Buntings was our best find!

On another county tour, several Sandhill Cranes were found in South Lambton! They are typically found in that area during the winter.

 Owls, Gulls and Waterfowl!

Owls are often "one day wonders" and finding one in the wild involves a lot of luck. Thanks to some noisy Chickadees who were "first on the scene," we had a chance to see a Saw-whet Owl recently, (Ontario's smallest owl species). 

Sunshiny days can provide better opportunities to find Eastern Screech Owls as they take advantage of the sun's warmth by peaking out of hiding spots.

Small rodents are good at hiding from humans and owls. Winter tracks and tunnels in the snow help us to know that the little critters are active. Excellent vision and hearing, help owls to pin point and catch mouse prey, even when under the snow!

A "Murder of Crows" helped to locate this well hidden Great Horned Owl  .

Bigger prey for a Great Horned Owl! - Probably Grey Squirrel tracks.

Glaucous Gull - The second largest gull in the world by length and wingspan, but likely the heaviest of all gulls!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Glaucous_Gull/overview

The Iceland Gull is a medium sized gull that doesn't nest in Iceland, but will visit in the winter! It picks food off the water surface, often without landing, and swallows the prey while flying.

https://binocularbase.com/bird/iceland-gull/

Long-tailed Ducks in flight: They can dive to depths up to 60 metres, spending three to four times as long underwater as they do on the surface as they hunt for food!

https://www.oakhammockmarsh.ca/wall/list-of-species/long-tailed-duck/

Harlequin Ducks typically winter along the NW coast of the Pacific Ocean and the NE Coast of the Atlantic Ocean but can also be found each winter on the Great Lakes. A male sporting his beautiful plumage has been seen near the entrance of the St. Clair River over the past few days. 

Hooded Merganser on lower Lake Huron.