Taking five minutes of my day to share five things.
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One
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| size comparison with the mourning dove |
Common redpolls visited my backyard this past weekend. I read up on redpolls, and found some interesting facts here. These tiny birds breed in the Arctic tundra and can withstand temperatures of -65F. In order to survive, they will burrow into the snow at night which acts as insulation against the cold. They have throat pouches to store seeds quickly, and they can then eat the seeds when they are in a protected area. They are long-distance travellers. One bird was banded in Michigan, US, and found later in Siberia! Incredible little birds. I have huge respect for them now.
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| A little redpoll jumping for joy! Spring is almost here! |
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Two
Cap'n Nuthatch. I thought nuthatches always looked like neat little soldiers when I was young. I once drew a picture for my mom of a nuthatch to look like a soldier. After that she called him Cap'n Nuthatch too.
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Three
This is where I've been hanging out for the past couple of months. The cold winter drove me outdoors more and more because I was tired of being forced inside. I braved the cold, icy winds and snow, and was much happier for it. I dislike being indoors.
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Four
This was once a farm, but has been taken over by the conservation authorities. What a beautiful, picturesque area for a farm right on the shores of Lake Ontario with the marsh running up one side. I'm jealous of the family that lived here many years ago and enjoyed all the wildlife for their own. The silo is surrounded by a very old apple orchard ... I'll have to visit again when it's blossom time to see if the trees still bloom.
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Five
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| Female Cardinal |
I think my blog has turned into a bird-watcher's blog lately. I'm just going with the flow right now, and birds are the only thing grabbing my interest at the moment. I've been very fortunate with the birds at the marsh, and will continue to visit it as Spring arrives ... well, when it arrives. My thermometer is reading -20C again this morning, and an extreme cold warning is back with windchill making it feel like -30C! Now they're telling us next week it will start to "really" warm up.
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Thanks for stopping by!
Wendy
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| Cooper's Hawk outside my patio door ... he's eating the birds I feed! |
Linking up with Amy's ...
One word : beautiful !!!! Thnaks for sharing your interest for birds ..... Have a lovely week end !
ReplyDeletehttp://woolandcats.blogspot.fr/
What a fanastic post, thanks for shaing your lovely picturesxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice five on Friday Wendy and thanks for sharing the pretty photos of the birds and nature. Have a wonderful day and weekend.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I love the Redpolls, I wish I could see them in my yard! I love your cute Cap'n Nuthatch drawing.. I am happy to see your bird watching photos.. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI never tire of seeing bird photos. Bird watching sure helps us get through the long and cold winter.
ReplyDeleteGlorious post, really enjoyed it. I love redpolls, we get them here in the UK although I didn't know their travelling tales until now. Amazing. The Cardinal Bird is beautiful- we don't get them here- and our Nuthatches are a little different to yours. Great drawing of the Captain. What is the hawk in the last pic? Hope it warms up for you soon. I took the dogs out through the -1 frost yesterday and considered it chilly. I feel rather feeble now having read about your temperatures :o) CT x
ReplyDeleteIt's a Cooper's Hawk :)
DeleteOooooh, birds!
ReplyDeleteThe poor hawk does look a bit on the thin side....bet he's sucking his chest in for sympathy.
Jane x
wonderful photos , I love birds and it's great to see what you have in your area.... love the cardinal bird ..how special !
ReplyDeleteGail x
I love birds - especially the ones that visit our garden. I've really enjoyed seeing the birds you have photographed and learning about the redpolls. The Cardinal is so pretty. Your nuthatches are different to ours in the UK - love your drawing too:)
ReplyDeleteI've turned into a bit of a birdwatcher too. Love to see the ones who stay all year and those that just pass through.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with a bit of birdwatching Wendy, especially as you say, it gives you a good reason to get out of the house, despite the cold of winter. It is really interesting to see the different birds that you have and learn more about them too! No problems with wildlife posts as far as I am concerned!!!! Thank you so much for joining in and for braving the cold to get these pictures. I hope that you have a great weekend - and that the hawk doesn't spend it eating all of your other birds! xx
ReplyDeleteI feel so guilty now complaining about the weather! Beautiful pictures of the birds. We have an aviary in the Country Park next to us and it is very popular, you have made me want to stop by now next time I go. Gosh I hope it warms up soon. Take care xx
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have so many bird species living on your doorstep Wendy, I'm learning all about birds through your posts so interesting. :) xx
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't think those redpolls are long distance flyers just from looking at their size. Very impressive! You're so lucky to live around such beautiful surroundings with interesting wildlife. I hope you get some warm weather soon. Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you decided to go out and show us these wonderful scenes. Have a wonderful weekend and keep warm xx
ReplyDeleteHmm...the hawk is definitely looking very plump. I like the drawing of Cap'n Nuthatch, fantastic! Enjoy your outings. I hate being indoors too.
ReplyDelete-Soma
I've been throughly enjoying all your birdy posts ... you do live in the most amazing place!
ReplyDeleteI love all of your bird posts because you capture them in such a beautiful way! And your landscape shots always leave me breathless Wendy! So glad that you have pushed yourself outside....I can't stand being inside any longer! Here is to spring....such beauty here today! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it is your weather, but we sure don't get the birds like you do. They are all so pretty.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for getting outdoors in winter. It's the best way to beat the winter blahs! I didn't know about redpolls burrowing into the snow to keep warm. Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your bird pictures. I didn't know that about redpolls, so thanks for that information. It's quite amazing to think they fly so far and are so hardy.
ReplyDeleteBrrr! Too cold where you are. :) Lovely bird photos. I do love watching them. And using my zoom lens. It's the only time I get out the big camera. Those redpolls are pretty darn amazing. Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteSuch amazing photos Wendy, thanks for sharing! (And for venturing outside - f-f-f-freezing - to take the photos:)
ReplyDeleteJillxo
Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteSome very pretty birds in your very cold neck of the woods! How lovely to walk in that winter wonderland. I remember it being quite exhilarating to walk in the cold, even up to last year, but I don't know if I'd be courageous enough to handle anything under -20, today!
Have a great week, Wendy!
Poppy