Day 38 - 7th February 2016 - Junco, White Throated Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow

Well we postponed going to Yarmouth. Roads were kind of icy first thing in the morning and it's suppose to be warmer today so we'll make the trek. Periodically it's nice to escape even for a few hours to do some much needed shopping and of course maybe we'll find some birds on our travels. Never know what might be out there. So Saturday was a day to putter around the house, made a quick trip to town but other than that nothing exciting.  Got as far as Lois' to check out her feeders but their dirt road was a sheet of ice and rather treacherous for walking. Her feeders held nothing more exciting than mine. The lakes have quite a wide swath of open water now, seems strange so early in the winter.

Junco - maybe a female as it appears much lighter in color than several of the others.

A White-Throated Sparrow arrived, probably the same one I've watched at Lois' these last few months. He's happy to hang out around the Christmas tree.

And the Chipping Sparrow.

Ice has gathered in the ditches again.

Cranberries frozen in place.

The thin ice that gathers around twigs, sticks and leaves always has pretty patterns.







Enjoy your day!

Day 37 - 6th February 2016 - Chipping Sparrow, Mourning Doves and the Lake

Colder this morning  than what we've been used to this last week. The stars are all twinkling in the sky. A little snow overnight but not enough to be troublesome - just a light layer over things. I think it's time for a road trip to Yarmouth, do a little shopping for stuff unavailable locally and some grocery choices. Maybe we'll get a chance to whip around a few spots in search of birds too. Yesterday Lexi and I weren't so lucky in the rain, we got drenched to the skin every time we went out. So I built a fire before lunch and stuck to inside work. A little research, projects and housework. Nothing terribly exciting. It was even raining too hard to photograph the birds through the kitchen window. The Chipping Sparrow is still hanging around. There were a few Juncos, Goldfinches, Chickadees, Pine Siskins, Mourning Doves and Blue Jays. I'm not sure what the problem is but our bird numbers seem to be decreasing this past year. Even in the summer I didn't find the variety of species I usually do in the hood.

 The Mourning Doves like to perch on the wires.

 Chipping Sparrow.

Sometimes the Chickadees aren't in the mood to pose.

 The lake is always pretty after snow, but yesterday I could see it breaking up in places.

 From a wintery morning.







Enjoy your day!

Day 36 - 5th January 2016 - Downy Woodpecker, Song Sparrow and White-breasted Nuthatch

Rain, rain go away... I don't think we want you back for a while! But it's going to rain most of today as well, then change over to ice pellets and snow later. Hope that doesn't start until tonight. Lexi and I made a few rounds yesterday, I picked times when it wasn't raining to hard and we managed a good morning walk with a shorter afternoon one. Even though she's getting a bit older she still needs a good run sometime during the day. Birds were scarce in the yard, guess the mild weather means they find food elsewhere.
Grandmother's Journal:
 5 February 1977: Bob, Bobbie, Mike and Tom to MC. No tracks, really too much snow. Overcast all day. Game Wardens checking ski doos today. Good to put a stop to them on the road. Lost our puppy tonight. She seemed so much better yesterday. Suppose to storm tonight. Feel so upset over the puppy. I did try so hard to save her. I walked down street. 
7 February 1977: Bob and Tom to MC at 5:30 am. Got a cat today. Overcast no wind. I walked to work, walking awful but weather nice. Walked home this afternoon. Still nice out not too cold. Kim back up this afternoon for the night.  

Downy Woodpecker

If you can't find anything else, usually a Chickadee will appear.

Song Sparrow.

White-breasted Nuthatch.








Enjoy your day!

Day 35 - 4th February 2016 - Blue Jays, Goldfinches and Purple Finches

Wet one out there this morning and looks like it's going to stay that way for a day or two. Guess it's a good day to stay dry inside and get a few things done I've been putting off. Of course Lexi's going to trot me out at some time, but maybe we'll be lucking and dash between rain drops or just bundle up in boots and rain slicker! Exercise class this evening will make up for not getting out much today. 
Had a good Wednesday in town - lots accomplished and errands done. Lunch at the Beandock and caught up with some friends.  Leftover soup for supper - always tastes better the second day.

A few shots from a snowy day - Blue Jay.

Goldfinch.

Goldfinch and Purple Finches

More Goldfinches.







Enjoy your day!

Day 34 - 3rd February 2016 - Purple Finch, Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers

Tuesday was another nice day but maybe not quite as warm as Monday. Still - I'm not complaining - more snow melted - all is good! I hit out early and went for a long walk - over to the Point and back, so quiet and peaceful. The only birds I saw were a few Chickadees and some Ravens/Crows. Not much activity at the feeders - a few Goldfinches and Purple Finches, Chickadees and Blue Jays. The Mourning Doves seem to be happier feeding around the yard with a couple of Robins. Town day - looks like our last fine one for a few days, rain on the way early this evening. Might take Big B. with me today and check out the waterfront, been a while since she's gone to town.

A male Purple Finch sunning himself .













Beautiful morning on the lake.

I think the Chickadee thought Spring had arrived.

The female Downy Woodpecker likes the tree,

The male seems to be happier in the suet feeder.






Enjoy your day!

Day 33 - 2nd February 2016 - Signs of Spring, Eider and Gull

Another lovely sunshiny day! We can only hope that the rest of February continues weather wise like it started. Yesterday morning I took a quick jaunt around for the Owl Larry had heard earlier, but of course no luck. I had thought perhaps he'd be roosting in one of the nice big pines nearby but this morning I hear him up on the hill and not quite so close. Some day I'll track him down. The snow is disappearing rapidly, more so in the woods where Lexi and I roam.  Exercise class last night - a good work out (hopefully my muscles will feel that way tomorrow). The birds aren't so active at the feeders with the mild temperatures - although there is a big flock of Goldfinches, Purple Finches and Pine Siskins that come in. They don't stay as long as they do on cold days. The Robins have found lots of green grass and seem happy with their finds.

Signs of Spring?

Tulips and Daffodils popping through the ground.

A female Eider preening herself.

Best guess - Immature Herring Gull.









Enjoy your day!

Days 30, 31 and 32 - 30th January - 1st February 2016 - Snow, Ice, Red-Winged Blackbird, Loon and a Gull

Guess I missed the end of January and have jumped right into the first of February. That snow we had on Friday wiped out our internet for a few days. Actually it was like a mini-vacation - a few times I would have liked to catch up on things, see what birds were being found locally but other than that I enjoyed being drama free for a couple of days. Our satellite box got zinged in a power blip/surge Friday evening - still works but continually acts like it can't find a signal. That should be fixed up later this week when the new one arrives. Other than that - nothing terribly exciting, weather and roads cleared up Saturday so we did a quick trip to town for groceries. Sunday we headed off to Cape Sable Island to see what birds were around. I did find the Tufted Duck but didn't get a decent photo - but identifiable enough after cropping to add to my list. Here we are back to Monday - a foggy morning and looks like it's going to be mostly a mild week. Easy on the wood pile!

Saturday all the trees glistened like glass in the sunshine.

Trees were coated in snow.

A Red-Winged Blackbird in a friend's yard.

West McKay Lake just before supper time.

Loon at Cripple Creek Wharf on Cape Sable Island.













Herring Gull hanging out at the Wharf in Daniel's Head.

A very scruffy looking Eagle.







Enjoy your day!