Crumbly Acres in snow

Thank you for your kind comments on our trip to Ottawa and Caitlin's concert. It was nostalgic. Life changes so much over the years. It sure brought me back.

 That was a fast weekend. It's good to be busy and out of the house! It's good to be home, as well. 

I threw out peanuts for #75, our rehabbed release squirrel. We released him in May. I am not sure he is using his nest box.

He is a hoot. He grabbed one peanut where I tossed them, and ran back to the horse chestnut tree. Then he buried it in the snow at the base of the trees. He repeated that. Then went up the tree, across to the evergreen, and buried it in the snow under that tree. Again, rinse and repeat! 

Along came his buddy. Honestly, the only the way I can tell them apart is where they go when they are done feeding. This one goes towards the driveway. 

75 went back to the chestnut tree and took out a couple of peanuts he'd buried and ate them. He dropped one whilst eating, and then joined buddy under the bird feeder.

The cardinals are a bright spot of colour.

I don't know if I like the photo of him eating better than his thoughtful pose!

We still have a starling hanging about. 

Their colours are lovely, changing with breeding season.

In May, 2012, I spotted a juvenile European Starling on the gravel near the mailbox. I had help identifying it, as juvenile birds can be such a challenge to ID.

The deer have returned. I love the snow on its face. They've a thick coat that insulates them. 

The one in the foreground has hurt her back left leg. We'll see how she does. 

I've noticed #75 going up and down the trees, finding the bird seed the blue jays have cached in the tree.

   

 Prior to our big snowfall, the fisher and coyote were doing inspections of Barry Beaver's lodge. There was no sign of them after the snow.

 

Mystery birds - the ones I needed to identify!

Hermit Thrush

I find it easier to place photos of the birds I am trying to identify in this file. After my great bird count event, at Murphy's Point Park, I am noticing more and more 'new' birds!
Moving to Lanark County, about 5 degrees warmer than Ottawa or Muskoka, I'm finding new birds, as well as new birder friends to help me identify these birds.

Flycatcher

It started with one, and led to another! The big clue is their song. 

Scarlet Tanager

Falcon - wicked hunter working
on the roof of a Perth building

Maybe a female Red-winged Blackbird?

American Bittern - listen to its weird sound!
It landed on the road. Stood their, as we stopped, with three cars behind us.
One guy tried to drive around us on our right, on the gravel, to get by.

Juvenile European Starling

 

American Redstart - male juvenile

Adult Male American Redstart

The jury is in! Juvenile European Starling

I have the definitive word, this is a Juvenile European Starling.
I can't believe how different they are from the adults.


I needed help identifying it, so I posted it to Facebook...

Mike Murphy
Mike Murphy commented & wrote: "Yes! Seeing the pale throat is helpful - it corresponds to the juvenile Starling in my Sibley field guide. You know, Starlings are an introduced species to North America - during the 1800s, someone decided it was a good idea to import every bird mentioned in the works of Shakespeare to New York! Starlings are very adaptable and comfortable living in our towns and cities, so their populations exploded. They may be considered "junk" birds by serious birders, but I can't help finding them amusing to watch and listen to."

Of course, I cannot find any photos of my own, of European Starlings, und zo, here are some lovely grackles for fun!