Saturday 6 April 2019

It's courtship season!

April 5th
We still have snow. We began the day, yesterday, in the cold. There was a bit of rain overnight (0.76mm).

It doesn't feel like spring.

However, the osprey is back. This is a good sign.


That said, the birds are getting ready for spring mating. Courtship proceeds at a sprightly pace on the part of the turkeys.

wild turkeys from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

May, 2018 Woodpecker courtship dance
Woodpecker mating from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

These were way across the Big Rideau, April 4th, but you get the picture!
Trumpeter swans from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Sugar shack horses: April 3, 2011

"What are they doing mommy?"
"They're just hugging!" (What else could Caitlin say on a family walkabout?!)
A pair of flickers


Birds mating on well

Then, there were the robins April 5th, 2019!
robins from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

First comes love...
Indeed, this is a Woodpecker nest. After gardening, I came along the driveway and could hear a ruckus. The jays were harassing momma. You can hear the babies screaming for food, all day, every day till they fledged! Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 4:59 PM.
After they fledged, the tree fell over in a storm.

11 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jenn, amazing captures of the wildlife in the act. The Flickers are beautiful. LOve the Trumpeter Swans and horses. Neat turkey video. Your new header photo is awesome. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Your critters (two and four-legged) sure all know it's Spring!! Even if it doesn't feel like it quite yet. We kind of have the same situation here in Florida, in an opposite way. It doesn't feel like Spring to us because it's hot and there are not the usual spring flowers everybody else has (too hot here for those).... so it doesn't seem like a new season, but the song birds are very busy mating so I gue3ss they know!! (The Eagles breed in the Fall here though... their nestlings are ready to fly away almost any day.

Powell River Books said...

"Tis the season. Love your nature videos. You get some really good action shots. Loved the woodpecker mating dance. - Margy

Nancy J said...

The one male all by himself strutting so proudly, " Pick me, choose me!!" and the others competing for some action.As always, I love reading your story. Horses hugging, I had to laugh. Wait till she is older and the real story is told.

Red said...

You could say that this is a horny post!

William Kendall said...

Spring fever!

We had snow falling last night in town.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari om
Yup that is sprong at work alright. Meanwhile autimn is sharing its cool damp days dowmunder. Fourth day now and still adjusting! YAM xx

Bill said...

Love is in the air. Your videos are great, I enjoyed them.

Betty J. Crow said...

Fun post. I'm jealous of the flickers! Beautiful birds.

Adam Jones said...

Good to see the Osprey back at it's nest site.

Lowcarb team member said...

Yes! It's the season!

You've shared some super photographs.

All the best Jan