A Walking Day

I thought I would take a little walk today without Daphne. I found a few deer and were able to get up to them. Can you spot the three deer in this picture? Yes, sweetpea, there are three.

I kept on in stealth mode and got quite a bit closer. The only comment I have here is "Don't chew with your mouth open".

 This one was kind of sleepy/

 Oops, I think she saw me!

I did come across this goose either resting or nesting in a dry swamp.

Enjoying the Sunshine!

After a week of miserable cold weather, fog, snow and rain, I was able to get out and about. The geese are pairing up and starting to look for nesting sites. I did manage to get  a LOT of photos on the river.

 I will keep it down to eight

 Here are a couple of shots of the back end of some Tundra Swans flying over. This year I am going to try to get more wing shots of birds.

 This guy misjudged and did a hard landing.

And a Female Merlin!

Out and About With My Faithful Companion

It was another bright and sunny day so Daphnia and I did a 5 mile walk with the camera. The snow is almost gone, but it is still muddy in the bush, in the fields, on the paths and almost every where else.

We did walk up on this White Tail Deer out checking for green stuff to eat.

 These are the first Tundra Swans that I have seen this year. They looked tired and were not spooky at all.

 The swans intermingle with the Canada Geese very well, but at times there needs to be a flight coordinator on the field

 No conflict here!

 Definitely need at this landing. The FAA should get involved with this near miss!

 Don't I look great!

 Here is a slightly muddy and very tired Daphne.

Opening Up!

The ice on the Athabasca River has been receding in the last few days, bring in lots of Canada Geese to rest or nest. 

 They were tired and not very spooky.

 They were flying steadily, but on the other side of the river. It was a bit of a stretch for my lens.

 I enjoyed watching them fly and honk. Man, did they honk!

 A few close-ups were possible. They are a majestic bird.

 Thanks, this is my better side.

 Two strokes behind and a mouth open. Anybody know which is the female?

It is sure great to spring arriving!

Down by the River

Yesterday, we broke a 59 year old record at 19.3 C! Today is much the same! The woodland paths are flooded, muddy and slippery where there is still ice. No trails, off to the River I go.

 The first of the critters today was this squirrel. The warm weather has brought them out, and they are very hungry!

 There are lots of Canada Geese arriving from the south. Front side of a bathing pose

 Back side of the bathing pose.

 Drying off

 Looking regal!

The old pick -the -feathers -while- standing- on- one -leg pose

Its good to see them back! They kind of are replacing the Red Polls, Sparrows and others that are off nesting up.

Why I Always Bring My Camera!

On my daily walk with Daphnie, I couldn't take my normal route due to a flooded creek. I thought I would go to the Athabasca to see if there were any migratory birds back. On the way we came across 2 moose, a cow and a calf. Last years calf was almost as big as mama, running about 1000 pounds.

Well, Daphnie was off leash, saw the moose and took off after them. They moved off the trail a bit, and stopped. After a couple more yelps, Daphnie stopped too. Both looked at each other and allowed me a few photos, not as good as if they were on the trail, but still interesting (at least to me). I attempted to move closer, but got the old "stink eye". They slowly moved off. My closest was about 25 feet.

I couldn't get both Daphnie and the Moose in the same picture due to the height of the moose, the shortness of Daphnie and the depth of the snow.
Caution: Potential Multiple Photos!

Solid Comfort

Some people think my dog, Daphne is spoiled. I don't think she is, but what do you say?

I was shocked!

Yesterday and today was clean up the garage day and put the snow blower away for the year. Elaine said it was way too early. We woke up to snow flakes today with about 2-3 cm forecast. I have been doing it by hand all year so that little amount is really nothing.

I also look forward to the spring seed catalogue coming in. I enjoy looking at all the exotics (Zone 7-8) that we can't plant. We are Zone 2-3.

Well, a seed catalogue did come in and it said "The time to plant is now"

Tough Getting Out

After having 2 1/2 weeks of frigid cold, like daytime highs of -30C, it has been difficult to get any photography done. The area has also seen the coldest February in 40 years according to the weatherman. I just love Global Warming! It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. No, that's ice crystals forming under my skin.

 Photography has consisted of watching the birds through the kitchen window . The Red polls are all fluffed up and are eating me out of sunflower seeds.

I get 5 or 6 Pine Grosbeaks at least twice a day at the feeder

 The Red Polls don't seem to mind the cold. How they don't freeze solid I cant quite figure out

I did find this Whitetail while out on a drive. She seems to be doing well and looking as if she might be slightly pregnant  Think warm, folks!