Winter’s Last Gasp

I looked back at photos taken in March 2010 and there was still a lot of snow on the ground on this date. Spring came quickly and stayed by the end of the month. This March has had less sunshine and maybe that is what makes this winter feel interminable. But spring is coming…

Fluffed up in the Cold

Cold weather increases the energy needs of wild birds. This male House Finch is fluffed up to help insulate itself from the cold. I will be filling the feeders to the top before the winter storm which is predicted to start tomorrow night.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Sunday’s wet snow hardened into ice very quickly with the cold north winds have lowered the temperatures considerably. Our feeders are very busy as the birds need more food to keep warm. This White-breasted Nuthatch found the suet feeder encased in ice yet it hammered away to get a few seeds.

American Red Squirrel

This highly territorial female American Red Squirrel considers our yard her home. Her antics amuse us daily as she frequents our bird feeders and the large spruce tree beside the deck. When I took this picture earlier this month, she was ready to threaten any grey squirrel who dared to approach.

Tamaracks at Columbia Lake

Tamarack trees are not widespread in our region but some are found around Columbia Lake and at Laurel Creek Conservation Area. This coniferous tree is unusual as it is deciduous and loses it needles in the fall. One Tamarack in this picture is already yellow and the other one is a little slower in changing colour.