Food banks and birds

It's a tough time of year for many: emotionally, and financially. Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank, speaks to the need. They have gone from from 4.1 million visits per year to 10 million visits. Their  budget has increased from $8 million  to $40 Million  per year. 

These statistics give me pause. He says that 60% of their clients have college or university education, and 50% are employed. The working poor in Canada don't have the safety nets that others have in Canada. I'm still horrified by CEO and professional athlete salaries.

There are many people who support food banks. The government give tax credits to farmers who donate fresh fruit and veggies, but in Canada we are limited in our growing season. 

Okay, I just wanted to put out the statistics here. It gives me pause. There are so many demands and requests for help at Christmas. I am inclined to let those so moved during December celebrations to make donations. I prefer to support organizations monthly. 

🐿️  🦫  🦊  🪿  🦌  🦨  🐀 🐇 🦥 

Back to your regularly scheduled program... 

The birds are hungry. Butch Raccoon is content to sleep in Wednesday's -9 ℃ temperatures. Barry Beaver is under the ice. Not a sign of him Tuesday. 

We've two male cardinals. 

My friend gifted me some new feeders. She has moved to an apartment. We are all grateful.

 

The mourning doves scare everyone when they fly in and land. 

My gifted bird bath draws the birds. The upside down pot hides the cord, and protects it. The brick ensures the squirrels don't knock it off.

I tried to capture the drink and the swallow process. The goldfinch, in its winter colours, wasn't cooperative! They bend, then stretch their necks to swallow.

The Blue Jay was a little better at performance art. 

swallow!

My friend, Kit, posted a photo of 27 swans on the nearby lake. I was in my back 40 looking for owls last week and I heard a honk. A pair of swans flew overhead. I was not quick enough for a photo. Here is a pair from Feb. 2020, at Narrows Lock.

March, 2015

We've two regular Gray Squirrel (black morph) friends, #75 and his buddy. They like to chase up and down the horse chestnut tree, and run after each other.

Avian flu, birds and deer friends

 While we are frozen in, we are watching reliable sources. I hope this doesn't creep north, but I know it has made it to Canada. Canadian Food Inspection Food Agency:

Here ↓ is an American resource. I just hope these people are able to keep on doing their research. We shudder reading the news from the bizarre scene to the south. 

Avian Flu CDC in mammals in the USA:

🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌

I began the day by feeding deer. There were 11 on Wednesday morning. Who can begrudge them a bit of feed? They are healthy, and lovely to watch. We feed the birds, squirrels, Labbit, and love watching them, struggling in the snow. 

The poor birds are holding their own. It's lovely seeing both cardinals at the feeder, momma and poppa.

Notice the starling is back: 

Mourning doves and the wee Downy Woodpecker:

This is quite a coat. I am always nostalgic putting it on. When I first began teaching in 1982, I bought this 'Yard Duty' down-filled coat on sale. Back in those days we actually let kids outside for recess in -20℃. weather! 😜 I've had to move the zipper, and resew buttons, but this coat has really gotten me through some cold days. It was -19 ℃. and pretty chilly. I was wearing housecoat, jammies underneath and Joe's boots! 

My gloves are super, too. Leather with fringe, also on sale. They were made by someone local. 

Caitlin and I in a snowy day hug!

Around the corner of the house, they were waiting for me.

I asked Joe if he could remember any other critters 'doing bear,' but he couldn't. Deer fights never amount to much. This is how they fight, though, with those hooves. It's also why coyotes can't take down a healthy deer, that, and their speed.

I was happy that Joe's back has recovered enough for him to go out and feed deer. It's been a rough few weeks. I videotaped him from the back deck in my housecoat and jammies. 

They do have a heirarchy, and they know their place. The fawns like to play around with manners and respect for their elders, as they roar around. I think our highest number this year was 14, which isn't a lot. I think 22 was our max one year.

⛄ Snow Day on Crumbly Acres 🌨

You can see how the Great Lakes moderates the temperatures, with ice rain. Here in Eastern Ontario, we had only snow. The red shows where the ice rain fell. Toronto, and the Golden Horseshoe, were a mess. There was 1" coatings of ice here and there.

You can see where the ice and ice rain impacted Southwestern Ontario. Some 29,000 without power. This morning, 13,000 remain awaiting their Hydro to come back. School busses were cancelled Thursday, but things were cleaned up for today.

Let's set the scene. Feb. 21st, all was readied. We had a bit of snow, 3 cm. All I did was the sidewalk, knowing the next day's snowstorm was coming.
 

This is how far the cats went Thursday morning, Feb. 23rd! Just on the front deck, just off the doormat, no further. It is cold, too. This morning it is -14 degrees C.

What does a retiree do on the morning after a storm? Bide her time. Watch the weather radar, figure out when it was done snowing, and get on with it. I took some indoor photos while I waited. Setting the zoom on the tripod we enjoyed the morn. JB is watching curling, while I did my thing.

An American tree sparrow and two chickadees!

At one point we had 4 male cardinals around the feeder. Yesterday, there were two pairs. 

I love the morning doves! Queen of the castle, for a moment!

This is an image that shows how the birds are paired up. The male in front, while the female was in the chestnut tree, just to the left of the male. I tried so hard to get them together!

I like action photos! 

One starling. 

The fuzzy fawn was hoping for bird seed!

This was a bit of a fight. I noticed them going after my candytuft plants. They remember they are there, and dug down in the snow to trim them! 

Ears back, the dominant one gives a warning, while the submissive one eases off. That's how they roll!

Look at its face!

Eventually I gathered myself up, shovelled the back deck, the sidewalk, and used the blower on the driveway. We had 8 cm, not too much, dispatched forthwith. Ta da!

Oregano visited prior to the storm!

 

Oregano from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.