Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

Winter Residents

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A little stroll out into our back yard was just what I needed today. We had a quick break from the cold weather and I was able to go outside without freezing my fingers off!

The bird feeder was a hub of activity, with a woodpecker and dozens of chickadees flitting about so fast I could hardly get a shot. But what fun I had!Woodpecker-copy

Woodpecker1-copy

I see you …

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… hello …

Chickadee2-copy

Chickadee-copy

Chickadee1-copy

There’s lots of the white stuff, and there is more on the way …

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I’m hoping to get myself out of my January funk so I can write 3 posts that are brewing in my head. One is about my word for 2014, one is for the 14 in 2014 list that Kim Klassen suggested we do, and one is to report on how my battle with Lightroom is going … arghhh … .

Anyone else feeling blah?

Simple Things Sunday

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Blue Jay in Winter

I feel pretty fortunate that I am able to stand in my dining room, look out the window, and see these beautiful birds.

On the day I took this photo, it was close to -30C, which would explain why this fella is so puffed up. He’s also keeping a close eye on the suet balls, patiently waiting for his turn to eat. I took this shot through the window with my D3000, on a tripod, and using my 200mm lens.

I think I’ve mentioned before that my new D7100 was in the hospital… well I finally have it back and I couldn’t be happier. But I can also tell you that I was pretty thankful that I had kept my D3000 – I’ve had it for four years and it has never let me down – it certainly saved my bacon this month!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Pine Grosbeak

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pine grosbeak, birds, wildlife
I’m not looking…
pine grosbeak02
…talk to me…
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…I’m listening…
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…OK, you’ve got my attention …
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…but keep talking…
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…OK… I’m looking…
Look who graced our yard this weekend!
One of the larger members of its family, the Pine Grosbeak is a bird of the boreal forests, found across northern Eurasia and North America, and south into the mountains of western Canada and the United States. A large, unwary finch, it makes periodic winter irruptions into southern Canada and northern United States. It is the largest and rarest of the “winter finches.”
~All About Birds~

Geese, ducks, pelicans, loons, herons . . . oh my!

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The other evening when the rain had turned into just a sprinkle I took a walk down to the lake to see what I could see . . . and of course there was a ton of waterfowl. Geese (of course) doing some kind of water ballet, pelicans filling their pouches (dramatically thinning out the fish in the lake I’m sure), and a lone loon floating in closer to see what this strange creature crouching at the end of the dock was.

I also saw some bufflehead and a heron but I wasn’t able to get a good shot – they were all keeping their distance.

I cannot describe how peaceful it was. I was safe and dry under a small umbrella so I stayed there and soaked it all in . . . it was magical. It was one of those moments when I marvel at where I am living and how lucky I am to be surrounded by nature. I know I would wither if I wasn’t . . .
The Instagram look has been accomplished through the magic of Photoshop.



You should have stayed south a little longer . . .

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Our spring this year has been less than stellar. Over the weekend we had rain, snow, sleet, and wind. For the most part, the Robins have not let this deter them from what they have to do. They are flitting about, chirping, finding mates (I’m sure) and just generally being good sports.

However, I looked out the kitchen window to see this poor thing puffed up as big as it could get. I had to laugh! (oops, sorry little fella).

His friend did not seem to be too amused either.

Easy for me to laugh. When I went to bed last night I had on two pairs of socks, and two extra blankets. This was after I had a hot bath. I was warm and toasty.

I have no shame. As the birds return from their winter vacations in the south we are preparing to board a plane tomorrow and head to a place where the temperature is 31C. See you poor guys in two weeks! Things had better be improving by the time we return . . .

World Bird Wednesday at The Pine River Review

The light at the end of the tunnel

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Our latest huge snowfall has come and gone. We had about 25cm (7+in) of some of the heaviest, wettest snow possible. As I walked around the yard, it stuck to my boots and as I grew taller and taller I had to reset my tripod accordingly ;) (true story).

It was 2:00 when the sun started to peek out and the light was absolutely dazzling – blinding. Since it’s very hard to get good shots of snow in that light, I turned my attention to our bird feeder. It was teeming with all kinds of little birds. Chick-a-dees, redpolls, dark-eyed juncos and downy woodpeckers.

Chick-a-dees have to be one of my favourite birds – how cute are these puffballs? I love that the sun is shining from behind and how it shows off their soft, downy feathers.

chickadee-3

chickadee

chickadee

I must have stood there for half an hour, watching them flit around and listening to them singing. I could hear crows and geese in the distance. Water was running from the eaves troughs and the sun felt so warm on my shoulders.

We’re a hardy bunch here in Alberta. We had just received one of the biggest snowfalls but with the sun shining so warmly down on me, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know spring is not coming . . . it’s here.

Fascinating lichens

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Yesterday I went for a walk and took a different path – one that I’ve never taken before. On the whole, our landscape is brown, muddy, snowy and at first glance, not too interesting.

But if you keep an eye out – there is wonder and beauty everywhere. Amongst a tangle of fallen trees I noticed that there was a lot of lichen on the branches. There are all kinds of lichens and I’ve decided not to try to explain what they are – it’s a bit complicated and I don’t want to give false info.

I will simply say that I thought these fluffy tufts were fascinating – and I’ll leave it at that!

On this same walk I spied the quintessential harbinger of spring – our robin:

Now this is all well and good. Spring seemed to be in the air.

Not so. Last night Environment Canada issued a winter? storm warning for our area (whaa?? I thought this was spring . . .) This morning I would say there is a foot of snow on the ground. Oh my goodness. I’m going to have to bore you with more snow photos . . .

The haunting call of the loon

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I live on a small lake and am very tuned into what’s happening around me and how the seasons are changing. When I hear that first loon in May it’s just the sweetest sound and it fills me with excitement. During the summer I’m always aware of them, softly calling to each other and to their babies. And of course that familiar wail, that haunting call of the northern loon, never ceases to delight me and is a cause for goosebumps! It’s an everyday occurrence here although not taken for granted. The funny thing is that by the end of September it usually takes me a few days to notice.

I haven’t heard them.
The lake has become so quiet.
They’re gone.

As I thought about that today I am reminded to savour every single moment of this exciting season.

Every soft breeze.
Every green, gold, and red leaf.
And every cry of a loon.

Linking up to World Bird Wednesday at The Pine River Review