From the Earth to the Sky

 The winter has turned a corner and I am seeing more dogs on my travels.   This little puppy met us on our walk as we looked for sign at one of my favourite walking trails.  He is just a puppy and appears to be a Bernese Mountain Dog.  I didn't get his name as his people had another dog who was not so happy to see us.  This little guy was just so friendly and though not preferable to see off leash dogs, unfortunately it happens.  Hope he has his shots! This little energetic and friendly boy is Frankie!  He was so comical and really wanted my treats (which I gave him with permission of course).  Him and his owner are regulars at this natural area.  It was a very cold and snowy day and it was nice to see people out.  Frankie is a mix of Boston Terrier and Jack Russell!  (double terrier!) This is Maggie, another young pup that was eager to meet me!  She is a Golden Doodle and about 8 mths old.  Her owner was very good at...

 This winter 25/26 has been a very cold polar vortex one.  It reminds me of the winters of my childhood and youth, a true winter.  I do not hibernate this time of year, some of the best birding in my opinion is from November to March, where we see Arctic species that winter here, and so I am also treated to some wonderful spectacles of the season. As this season gears down and we look forward to the earth warming up for the Spring season, I thought that I would look back at this winters beauty. Blue Ice or Glacial Ice is something that I don't remember seeing before in my lifetime, or if I have I haven't really looked at it.  This gorgeous phenomenon results in ice that is intensely blue and is formed when extreme pressure squeezes the air bubbles out of compacted snow, causing it to absorb red light and transmit blue light.  It is common in icebergs and glaciers.  This year as I was walking the path along the St. Clair River just past the Blue water bridge...

Tufted Titmouse, Black Capped Chickadee, White Breasted Nuthatch, Red Breasted Nuthatch One of the wonderful adaptations of birds is that some species can withstand brutal winter conditions.  Depending on their diet, they can glean food from the land, the sea, the sky (as Taylor Swift mentions!).  Many of the waterfowl that we have throughout the winter feed on fish, carrion and water plants, as well as any vegetation that they can get from the land.  That is why a bit of open water will enable some birds such as Great Blue Heron, Double Crested Cormorant and Belted Kingfish er as well as American Robins  to surprisingly overwinter, specifically at the Talfourd Creek outflow where the water is heated from the plants as well as Pinery PP.  Most of those species will migrate , but they do save a great deal of resources if they can manage to stay. Mute Swans, Canada Geese. Mallards and Trumpeter Swan Most of the waterfowl species that we see in the winter breed far...

Winter is one of my favourite times of year to get off the couch and get some fresh air.  The birds are not as plentiful as in other seasons, but we, here in sw Ontario are treated to many Arctic species.  Waterfowl and raptors that migrate here to escape the brutal winter of their Arctic breeding grounds treat us to good views if we are patient and lucky!   Some people, including myself, call this 'Weird Duck Season'!   Bluewater Bridge (Canada Side)  This winter especially has been extremely cold and snowy, with long durations of below seasonal temps and wind chills.  Today I am sitting at -16 with a windchill of -30 with about 2 ' of snow on the ground that just  came overnight with blowing snow and squalls. The 402 is closed in both directions and Hwy 21 from Grand Bend to Forest is closed, so unless I drive a sled, I'm staying in and staying local today!  Lake Huron is currently at 65% ice cover, while Lake Erie is about 94%, Lake O...