Beaver (North American) - 12 Photos

The following photos were taken on two different days. 

Day 1

The first day, when the beaver arrived at the stream, there was one cut log lying perpendicular to the water, with one end almost at the edge of the stream and the remainder lying upright almost to the top of the incline and close to a small thicket.

After some evaluating of how best to tackle the job and get into the best position, the beaver opted for a technique I've used myself for negotiating a somewhat steep but small incline, the two step, side step, i.e. going down sideways (Photo #4 & 5). Now I don't feel such a coward for being cautious on downhill slopes.

And in true lumberjack style, "we" hauled up the log uphill using teeth, jaw & shoulders with some assistance from front & back legs. Loggers used to use cant hooks or hooked pikes to turn floating logs over in the river but for beavers, all equipment is built in. 

And then to negotiate from one side of the log to the other, the beaver executed a somewhat undignified manoeuvre of pulling himself across, best seen from the back view (Photo #7). Again, thank you Beavers for not making me feel so inadequate as a human. I've also used this technique to negotiate large fallen trees in the woods, using my hands as pivots.

Day 2

I'm assuming this is the same beaver as the previous day as the notch on his tail is identical to the one the previous day. He/she is, definitely, is an overachiever. 

There was no side stepping this time, just straight down the incline into the stream. Then a quick swim upstream, grabbed a small branch with leaves and headed back. But returning to the lodge with such a small token would be too easy. At the bottom of the incline was another partial log, of equal if not bigger size, than the one from the day before.

So "we" rearranged the grip on the small branch to accommodate a hold on the log and proceeded up the hill, both bounties in mouth. There were a few time outs while the beaver paused to catch his/her breath & rest and then it was into the pond and back to the lodge.

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Mink (North American) - 5 Photos

So just after lunch and before the initial torrential rain shower (hmmm - it was supposed to be drizzle at 5:00 p.m.), this little mink ran downstream & into the cover of the rocks. Don't blink, there goes the mink!

Waited a few minutes, a little head appeared followed by that long body. I say "long" but even by mink standards this is a very small mink, so I'm assuming a young female born this Spring and on one of her first solo fishing expeditions.

And cautious is the right approach as these are probably some of her first interactions within a huge landscape, with potential predators in the air & on land. This area is part of the range of a family of coyotes, who also have youngsters out and about, exploring & honing their hunting skills.

And then just a couple of minutes (if that) of pausing, there was scooting along the shoreline, where she disappeared into the wetland and better cover.

Because of her diminutive size & manner of travelling, I've named her "Vespa" after the iconic Italian small scooter. Generally, minks turn up in the same location for a few weeks as they perfect their hunting patterns so hopefully Vespa will make another appearance and for a little longer this time.

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Bald Eagle - 7 Photos

When your life is totally dependent upon your feathers, time is well spent preening, cleaning & fluffing.

Having done some brief research, Bald Eagles have 7,000 feathers or more. Of course, they do molt and they molt in patches, taking approximately half a year to replace lost feathers.

And the feathers certainly were flying as this adult eagle did a complete body clean & preen, removing any old feathers (Photo #2 & Photo #3) and smoothing all those that remain.

This eagle must have eaten well early in the morning as the entire process took the best part of three and a half hours before heading down river mid-afternoon, with feathers all in good working order.

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Pika - 9 Photos

Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

Pikas may be small & stout but they are hugely photogenic, if they stay in one spot long enough for the camera to focus.

And now that Autumn is here, there is some final scurrying to harvest the remaining grasses, seeds and "hay" to keep the Pika in food supplies for the mountain winter. Like beavers, Pikas do not hibernate through the Winter. They actually traverse the terrain through a series of tunnels under the rocks & snow. 

And in between all that shopping, there is the occasional pause to satisfy the odd itch (Photo #1). 

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Pika - 6 Photos

Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

From that first sighting, the little Pika is unmistakable, with its short stout body and big round ears (Photo #1). Without movement, however, they can be at times, difficult to spot among the rocks & shale because of their camouflage blending in, effortlessly in the rocky terrain.

However, take a Pika who is desperate to reach the top of a dried plant for its remaining seed cache and it's a whole different scenario. That short stout body has unrolled into a long thin shape, standing on tippy toes making that giant effort to gain access to the bounty.

Firstly I would like to say I can relate to the Pika's dilemma. Just being under 5 foot, 3 inches myself in height, there have been too many times when I have had to adopt almost the same technique to try to reach the top shelf for a particular product at the local grocery store. Unlike the Pika, however, I have not tried to use flat rocks to stand on for extra inches (Photo #5 and Photo #6). 

And to give some perspective to the Pika's world, that dried plant was probably only just a little more than 2 feet in height. Obviously, the "lower hanging fruit" had already been harvested being so late in the season, which left  only the hard to reach parts remaining.

And yes, after a great deal of positioning and tapping into his/her contortionist skills, the Pika did finally manage to reap the fruits of his/her labour.

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Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel - 5 Photos

Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

There are probably many people out there who remember the animated Disney chipmunks, Chip and Dale.

The following photos may resemble a chipmunk (or perhaps, a chipmunk who had an encounter with a red squirrel), but the subject is a Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel. A very long & eloquent name for such a tiny mammal.

And what this little Ground Squirrel lacks in size, he more than makes up in personality. And I said "he" because of his dark red mantle.

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Coyote - 7 Photos

Was surveying the surrounding terrain for wildlife when I caught something out of the corner of my eye. Thoughts went from dog, to off leash dog to finally coyote.

This gorgeous youngster is the second pup I've seen, most likely born this Spring to one particular family of coyotes. Her (and I'm going by body size & more delicate facial attributes to determine gender) sibling was spotted in late July 2024 in the same area. (See Blog of July 30th, 2024, "Song Dog Days of Summer".) She definitely is much smaller and not so leggy as the first young coyote seen. However, what she lacks in stature, she more than makes up in facial expression with those piercing eyes.

All coyotes have those intense yellow eyes but hers rarely narrow and the stare although hypnotic is in no way aggressive. In fact, she seems to view the entire world with eyes wide open, including a beaver in a nearby pond. Unfortunately, there were no photo opportunities as I wanted to maintain a safe distance and the path was obscured by tall grasses & shrubbery.

I could make out the coyote at the bottom of the path, just at the entrance of the pond, making eye contact with the beaver. I could see the beaver staring right back almost daring the coyote to come into the water and into the beaver realm. And like most youngsters, as there was no quick reward, the youngster went off to more potentially rewarding endeavours.

Her older sibling had managed to come almost nose to tail with the beaver on land. (See Blog of July 31st, 2024, "Summer School".) That would be coyote nose, beaver tail but a quick exit by the beaver into the water ended that episode. I wonder if he had brought back tales of his exploit to the other "pups" with a description of this strange mammal he had seen. "Really, it was brown & furry, hands with nails and webbed feet and it swam and dove under water for long periods." :)

So I suppose seeing is believing for this young coyote, with those "Bette Davis eyes". 

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Beaver (North American) - 5 Photos

So what is the difference between a lumberjack and a logger?

Lumberjack is generally considered a historical term and refers to a logger before the invention and use of chain saws and other modern logging equipment. 

So I'm going to go with lumberjack to describe beavers while they are harvesting trees and other woody plants for food & lodging, as what could be more historical than a North American beaver.

Now some people lament over the felling of trees in a woods due to beaver activity. Beavers use every part of the trees, etc. that they fell, whatever is not eaten or stripped of bark is used on their lodges. Nothing is wasted. And their precision harvesting makes way for new growth, including new tree species and improved eco-systems. And we must not forget that thousands of hectares of forests are cut down every year by people for use in building our homes and our furniture. And unlike the areas logged by beavers, these hectares can lay waste for many many years.

So let's give a "paws up" for the original lumberjack in the North American landscape (minus the plaid shirt, of course). :)

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Bald Eagle - 9 Photos

The title was inspired by Photo #1, in which sunbeams broke through the trees enveloping the Bald Eagle.

Sunbeams are areas where light from the sun is reflecting off small particles, such as dust or water vapour suspended in the air. In this instance, it was probably a combination of dust particles from the air & from feathers that the eagle had just shaken and some morning condensation. 

Perhaps it's because this eagle has been so generous in providing such amazing photo opportunities or maybe it's because she is so regal in stature & demeanour, that brought those words to mind. 

I suspect this eagle to be a female of some maturity, well beyond the five years that it takes to achieve the white head feathers. Not only does she appear to be extremely large but from Photo #5, the bottoms of her foot pads appear to be quite "weathered" and tough. Perhaps it's due to her age and experience, that she has produced two magnificent youngsters, also both female I believe.

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Beaver (North American) - 5 Photos

It takes a village (or at least a multi-generation beaver family) to raise a young beaver.

This, I believe, is one of three young beavers born this Spring. (This is based on some intel received from a reliable individual who at dusk, spotted three very small beavers near the lodge late July.) It probably is the oldest of the three and has already joined the workforce, bringing tiny branches, etc. back home.

However, early this particular evening, the youngster was in among the bulrushes, taking time to choose just the right treat (Photo #1). There was a much larger beaver out in the woods (Photo #2), who subsequently returned to the stream and was immediately greeted with soft murmuring by the little one (Photo #3 through Photo #5).

I don't believe this larger beaver was a parent as although bigger, it is definitely not the largest by far in the family. Probably, he/she was an older sibling by a year or so.

This bulrush area is also a favourite eating spot for the other beavers. Although it can be reached entirely through a system of ponds & creeks, all in water, it is a bit of a trek and can present some vulnerability in accessing. Once reached, however, it provides superb protection from predators with its thick cover of rushes.

I, unfortunately, was not there to witness the trip by this young beaver, who I assume completed it under the accompaniment of an older beaver. But having reached their destination, it probably made for the perfect "Baby Beaver Daycare". Woods for building material is just a quick beaver trip from water to land and a return to keep an eye on a younger sibling just a minute or so away.

And the quick reunion to share a meal together generally seems to be a happy one.

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Mule Deer (Fawns) - 5 Photos

And you are out in the woods, this might be the reason.

And if it is the reason, the spots will eventually fade and as one fawn becomes bolder, the double will become two singles.

One fawn is always a joy but twin fawns are twice as joyful. But probably twice as much work for their mother.

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Bald Eagle (Female) - 11 Photos

As I was waiting in the vicinity of where I had seen a particular eagle family, I was thinking I had managed to capture the male adult and the two (female) youngsters in photos. I had seen the female adult on a few occasions either flying into a tree where her partner was or just in fly-bys over the tree where the male was perched but had never had any opportunity to photograph her.

Then eventually a Merlin flew into that tree, briefly perched and flew off to a neighbouring one. So I got up, walked the few feet to the tree where the Merlin had perched but the little falcon had already left. 

Returning to my viewing area, I looked up again at the thick tree limb where the eagles liked to perch, not expecting anything and there stretched along the branch was the female parent. It was a bit of a shock as I had been gone under two minutes but that probably was why the little Merlin had flown off to make way for the apex predator. So I resumed my reclining position against a log to make the most of the opportunity. (I don't shoot with a tripod or monopod.)

The size and bulk were key in identifying her. Although I do not have a side by side comparison, just viewing the photos of the male, this eagle was much bigger & somehow with more attitude.

Now having both young eagles confident in their flying abilities & probably already trying their skills at fishing, it appeared that "Mum" had a few hours to herself. Her partner did briefly land at the top of the same tree & then flew off. He was greeted with soft chirping before he left but a youngster did fly over the tree and was not greeted with the same enthusiasm. If one was giving human attributes to the eagles, one would like to believe her mate was just checking in with her to see everything was good but her offspring had been warned off as this was definitely "me" time.

It was, indeed, a very relaxed female adult Bald Eagle, spending the next three hours on the same branch, thoroughly grooming and probably giving some much needed attention to her feathers. She did remain vigilant, checking out any unusual noise or disturbance from the river below but she appeared to be enjoying her alone time. 

And then late afternoon, she flew off downstream, I assume to fish or meet up with her mate. 

The lighting changes in the photos as a lot can happen with the weather & sky in almost three hours.

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Beaver (North American) - 7 Photos

The following is an excerpt from a June 15, 2023 post on Kachina House's website entitled, "Beaver Symbolism in Native American Culture". 

The beaver is said to be a spirit animal that represents the power of adaptability. This animal encourages people to be resourceful in their daily lives and to find creative solutions to problems they may face. It also symbolizes wisdom, as it constantly working to build and create the life it desires. 

The beaver represents an essential value of balance. It embodies the notion whereby individuals must cooperate and harmonize with the environment and one another to move forward.

Kachina House

Beaver Symbolism in Native American Culture

Blog: June 15, 2023

Words that, we as a species, should take to heart and emulate. The wording may seem to enhance the stature of beavers but on a common sense basis, this exactly what beavers do. They engineer their environment to address their needs and in so doing, promote healthy eco-systems through water management, etc. 

They are great problem solvers. On more than one occasion, I have seen a beaver chew down a tree only to have it get caught up on a neighbouring tree's branches. If pulling it from the chewed end, doesn't dislodge the tree, the beaver will then chew off one portion at the bottom and then take that back to lodge. The beaver will then return try to dislodge the tree again and if unsuccessful, repeat the process until the tree hits ground level, where it is ferried back to the lodge. They never appear to give up.

They work together as a family, each member having a task to complete. Like any family, small disputes do occur but disagreements appear to be quickly put aside. Perhaps, living in such close quarters with all your family members in a relatively small space is an incentive to maintain harmony. :)  And, of course, there is always time made in busy schedules for play, socializing & eating.

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Bald Eagle (Immature) - 5 Photos

The photos that follow were taken on August 12th, 2024. 

A week later, the eaglet had lost the last remnants of her fluffy baby feathers from her head. So no more mohawk or feather extensions. Just a young eagle with her dark brown body & tail feathers, for now.

She is one of two born this Spring and I believe her to be the second hatchling, slightly smaller and a little more "clingy" of the two. Because both eaglets already dwarf their male parent in size, they are probably both female.

For young eagles, there is so much to learn in such a short space of time before Winter comes.

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Bald Eagle (Adult & Immature) - 8 Photos

The young eagle had already positioned herself on a favourite branch (Photo #1), chirping away to her parent who was perching in a tree across the river. Having taken a few still shots, I glanced across to see that the adult had moved to a tree with dead branches overhanging the water and thought nothing of it. Both trees are favourite perches for the male parent.

And then the youngster began screeching & flapping excitedly (Photo #2) so I focused in on her & shortened the length of the lens. I believed her sibling was close by and was potentially flying in to sit on the same branch. And then from one side, in flew the adult. After some aggressive wing flapping & screeching by the youngster, both parent & offspring settled down. I then turned to my attention to the tree just behind me where more chirping was coming from. Just above me, located on a tree limb screened by small branches was the second youngster. 

Just like people, animal siblings can compete for attention from their parents so I thought this was just another case of vying for attention. 

After the first few shots at the point of landing, I had quickly viewed the initial photos on the small camera screen, to ensure the settings were good. The first thought that had come to mind was the line from the Star Wars movie, "The Empire Strikes Back" where Darth Vader utters that line, "No, I am your father".  Believe it was the sudden appearance of the eagle next to his offspring, with that flourish of wings, that stuck in my brain.

And then it had been immediately back to shooting, hopefully not having missed any of the action.

Once the eagles had flown to other destinations, I took the opportunity to review the shots taken in more detail, crossing fingers that at least some were in focus & the lighting was correct. At first glance, I missed the narrow white object under the adult's feet, dismissing it as part of the branch. Then having taken a longer look, I knew what all the excitement was about. The male adult had flown over and landed next to his offspring with a fish, probably a White Fish (Photo #3 and Photo #4) and hence, the sudden appearance of the second youngster.

And, unfortunately, this is where Part 2 of the title comes into play. In the transition of handing over the freshly caught fish from adult to youngster, the inexperienced eagle did not have adequate talon grip on the fish and it was "going, going, gone" onto the forest floor (Photos #5 through 7). Both looked down, reactions somewhat different. From the immature, a great deal of screeching & wing movement & from her parent, well if I was going to project human reactions onto an eagle, it was the equivalent of rolling ones eyes & resigning himself to another fishing expedition immediately.

So the parent flew off, leaving his youngster who had either tried to cover up her "slip of the fish" by grooming or had a quick recovery, safe in the knowledge that her parents would ensure another meal would be forthcoming (Photo #8). 

I'm certain this wasn't the first time, nor will it be that last time this will happen with young wildlife, learning the skills that will take them into adulthood. But it's not like, wildlife parents can make a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up another meal. :) 

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Beaver (North American) - 6 Photos

You watch long and often enough, you might see something you haven't witnessed before & personally weren't aware.

That happened one evening, just after a rain shower. Four of the six beaver family members had made their way to one end of their pond, where there is a small peninsula. It was all about eating that first part of the evening. There were some trips back to the lodge with grass & small leafy branches, but each trip was followed by a return to the little peninsula and eating.

There were lush grasses & willows in and around the area where the beavers were feasting, easily accessed on land & in the water. But these were not for what the beavers were searching. It was a Canada Thistle which is designated as a noxious weed in Alberta. It wasn't the plants that were in flower that the beavers were harvesting and eating. It was the new ones, the beavers chose and the larger, the better. So forget about all that other delicious soft greenery.

The plants might have been new but those wavy leaves have prickles or thorns growing from their edges. And from personal experience, you generally feel their thorny leaves well before you actually see the plant. 

But for a beaver whose diet consists partly of bark, leaves & rough wood, a few thorns are probably not an issue. Only the beavers know what makes the thistles such a delicacy and what taste buds they appeal to. That small group of beavers were reminiscent of children in a candy store, looking for and choosing just the right treats.

And then eventually it was back to the lodge and onto work matters.

Domestic goats are used in Alberta to manage invasive weed species, like the Canada Thistle, through targeted grazing. Beavers definitely can't eat anywhere near the quantity consumed by a herd of goats but every bit helps, particularly in those wetland areas. And what could be better than really enjoying what you eat while helping the environment. :)

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Bald Eagle (Adult & Immature) - 7 Photos

According to some research, young Bald Eagles have the fastest growth rate of any bird. They can gain up to 6 ounces per day. 

And eaglets in Alberta, Canada hatch in late April, early May so that would make this youngster approximately 3 1/2 months old. She (and I'm going with she because of size) is one of two born to a nesting pair this Spring. She already dwarfs her parent, who I believe is the male. Having seen the "other half" in a fly by and appeared to be much larger, I assumed that was the female parent.

Mr. had retreated to a tree on the other side of the woods earlier in the morning. However, having been harassed by several ravens, he flew to this branch where the youngsters like to "hang out" in between flights and settled next to his offspring (Photo #1). 

He found amiable company but it was basically non-stop chirping from the young eagle (Photo #2). I suppose eagle parents are used to the communication from their offspring. At one point, he reached over and pulled out a loose feather from his fledgling (Photo #3).

Eventually he tended to his own grooming and an occasional nap (Photo #5 through Photo #7). 

There will be more blogs to follow, highlighting this stunning Bald Eagle family.

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Beaver (North American) - 8 Photos

It's a well known fact (hopefully) that beavers are extraordinary engineers and superstars at water management.

But perhaps they have another super power up their sleeves? 

It was mid-afternoon on Monday, August 5th, 2024. Environment Canada had already issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Alberta, including Calgary. Now as we all know, similar warnings have been issued in the past & either the storm has passed by or has decreased in its severity.

At 3:30 p.m. this family of beavers was already out of the lodge and patrolling the pond. And swimming turned into tree harvesting in the nearby woods. It wasn't just one beaver, it was six and they weren't collecting branches & logs for dam & lodge repair, they were harvesting entire trees & branches full of leaves & vegetation. 

One beaver after another, adults & sub-adults made the trip from the pond, chewed down a tree, hauled it back into the water and finally dived with the goods into the lodge. If the tree was too large to manoeuvre easily in the water, a second beaver assisted from behind. At one point, there were three beavers huddled over a downed tree in the open meadow. The smaller family members chewed branches from the felled trees and ferried those back to the lodge.

I have been photographing this particular family of beavers for almost a year now & during that entire time, I have never seen so much activity & food collecting in such a short time period. I left the area at approximately 6:30 p.m., when the beavers retreated into their lodge for a much deserved rest & probably a meal.

All told, they must have collected at minimum, ten medium size trees, with leaves, perhaps even more, within approximately 3 hours.

All I could think was, "What do these beavers know that we (as humans) don't?" Even for a relatively large family, that was a lot of food storage for one afternoon (during the day) & we haven't reached the end of summer. And why work so hard for one afternoon when early/late evening is generally the preferred time for such activity?

As the weather appeared to be closing in, I called it a day and went home. Sometime around 8:00 p.m., severe weather warnings were issued with reports of heavy rain, extreme lightning & in some areas, baseball size hail for the Calgary area. Warnings included taking shelter & staying away from windows.

So - yes beavers aren't clairvoyant but animals are much more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, particularly dramatic ones. For wildlife, being aware of their surroundings, is crucial to their survival. 

I went back to the pond the next day and by very late afternoon/early evening, two beavers eventually appeared out from the lodge to complete some dam repairs. It was definitely a more relaxed atmosphere with much more time out, i.e. grazing in the grass & munching on floating logs and much fewer beavers & activity.

My feeling - That Monday the beavers "felt" an atmospheric change and severe weather was approaching. They didn't know how long the system would last but it was dramatic enough for them to ensure they had ample food supplies to last. 

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Pileated Woodpecker - 5 Photos

Young Pileated Woodpeckers like so many birds born this Spring, have now fledged and are seeking food on their own.

This youngster has gone the route of a balanced diet & has mixed some fruit into his/her diet of insects. And this definitely wasn't a case of "low hanging fruit" but when you have the right equipment, i.e. the Pileated Woodpecker bill, that labour is so much easier.

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Mule Deer (Fawn) - 3 Photos

It's that time of the year to play the game "Spot the Spots" with does & their fawns. 

I did have an opportunity to see one small fawn across a creek hiding in a thicket in the shade of a tree. The only reason I "spotted" the fawn was because he/she moved as I walked past. Obviously this youngster had been left by the mother while she attended to some grazing. I didn't take any photos as I didn't want to disturb the youngster any further & the only ones I would have taken would have been of a pair of mule deer ears, just peeking over the tall grasses. Hopefully, this little fawn won't make the same mistake twice. If he/she hadn't moved, I never would have noticed the little deer.

Late afternoon, a doe & her fawn came through a meadow & down to the stream to drink. They then turned and walked back into the meadow. This time, although grasses were tall enough to dwarf the fawn, I managed to grab some shots as junior tailed behind his/her mother.

And although the fawn is still "spotty", the spots are beginning to fade to accompany that new growth in height.

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Coyote - 7 Photos

This is a follow-up to the blog of July 30th, 2024, "Song Dog Days of Summer". 

According to some research, by the end of the summer, coyote pups are spending some time away from parents & attempting to hunt on their own or with siblings. This youngster appeared solo through the tall grass into a clearing, first trying a hand/paw at rodent catch. And like his older sibling by a year, he found the sweet spot, retrieving & eating multiple catches in several spots. That blackish object in the coyote's mouth (Photo #1) is a vole. I assume he found at least a couple of nests where voles/mice were living.

And then it was across the stream to another larger meadow to check out what might be available there. 

And for this coyote, he must have thought he hit the jackpot. Oh, would his parents be impressed and his siblings too (Photo #4)!

When I saw the beaver exit the tall grass, my first reaction was what on earth was the beaver doing a fair distance away from an escape route, i.e. water. There are so many other places closer to the pond & stream where food and building material are easily available but then again I'm not party to a beaver's thoughts. Perhaps, this was a case of a fully grown beaver but not so worldly as his/her parents. 

And then you add in the naivety and curiosity of a young coyote. His interest was certainly peaked and having flushed the beaver out of the grasses, he followed his potential prey to the stream (Photo #5) where the beaver quickly made his/her exit into the pond and back to the safety of the lodge. As Photo #6 shows, the coyote was in very close proximity to the beaver. Other than a beaver tail slap, it was probably the right end to be. However, hopefully this youngster won't attempt a similar approach when uncovering a porcupine.

So back to smaller targets and having travelled down to the pond's shoreline, again there were multiple mice/voles to be had. Photo #7 shows the tail & legs of what I assume to be a vole hanging outside of the coyote's mouth. 

So although young in age & experience, successful hunting skills are already apparent in one of the newest additions to this coyote family. Coyotes learn very quickly. It's a matter of survival. This youngster probably won't be trying another beaver solo. The lesson, however, was most likely extremely valuable.

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PHOTO #2 - No worries - just a young coyote chomping down on a vole. It's amazing how one shot can give the wrong impression of what actually took place. 

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Coyote - 7 Photos

From "The Old Farmer's Almanac", the term "Dog Days" traditionally refers to a period of hot & humid weather occurring during the months of July and August in the Northern Hemisphere.

Another name given to coyotes is "Song Dog" because of their impressive vocalizations. 

So what better title than "Song Dog Days of Summer" for the appearance in late July of a young coyote (pup) born in the early Spring. This was my first opportunity to see this latest addition. I don't know how many pups were born to this particular family this year but hopefully this youngster is one of several. And if he/she is anything to go by, we may have more extraordinary canids.

It wasn't until the coyote walked out of the tall grasses and into a clearing that I recognized this coyote as a youngster (Photo #6 & Photo #7). There is no mistaking that very leggy and lanky look and from what I could observe, I believe this canid to be male, particularly the way he was relieving himself. Now whether I will recognize him from his other young siblings is another matter. 

The meadow where the coyote was hunting for rodents, as you will see from the photos below, has a purple flower growing among the grasses (Photo #1 through Photo #5). It is Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), considered in Alberta to be an invasive plant species but from a photographer's view, a lovely colourful contrast against the lush green grasses & a stunning young coyote. (All the photos were taken an hour before sunset.)

And as for that particular meadow, this has been a favourite "hot spot" for this youngster's older sibling by a year, Foxy. I have seen Foxy on several occasions coming back to this area after being on a long hunt, digging up & catching one rodent after another. Perhaps, there was some shared intel between siblings and it was equally successful for this coyote. 

And rodents weren't the only thing on the menu. There was a much larger ambitious hunt that same evening but those details will be revealed in a follow-up blog. :)

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Beaver (North American) - 10 Photos

Muse Definitions:

Noun: A person or an imaginary being or a force who is a source of artistic inspiration.

Verb: To reflect about or marvel upon, usually in silence.

So beaver musings would be having beavers as a source of artistic inspiration (in this instance, photography) & reflecting about them & their extraordinary activities hopefully in silence. I am not opposed to having a quick chat with an occasional passerby or photographer but I much prefer the solitude & silence. Wildlife may tolerate our chatter but they don't like it & because things can change/happen so quickly within the natural world, you can miss out on a photo opportunity.

I guess to put it bluntly, when I am photographing wildlife, I am there to watch, observe & learn from Nature, not to engage in long conversations. 

The following photos were taken approximately an hour to an hour & a half before sunset. The golden tinge was due to a setting sun & some intermittent clouds, producing a diffused lighting effect.

And, of course, it's just another day in the life of a beaver - some repair work, a quick bite to eat & a little time to hang out with family. And because of the high temperatures Alberta is currently experiencing, I was slightly envious of the fact that most of their activities were completed in or under the water. At one point, I was confused as to why one or two beavers  were removing some very old branches from the end of the lodge & swimming back to the dam where repairs were being made and placing those branches there. Wasn't that, using an old English saying of "taking coals back to Newcastle". The woods are literally just a stone's throw away from the dam so why would a beaver remove branches that he/she had already transported across the pond back to where basically he/she had gathered them in the first place.

And then it dawned on me. The branches, although part of the lodge's bottom edge, were somewhat redundant. Being that it was so hot even later in the evening, the beavers probably did not want to expose themselves to the physical stress of walking through the woods, chopping down a suitable tree for the repair & hauling it back to the dam. It was much better to "recycle" unused material. We all know that even as people, everyday activities in temperatures excess of 30 degrees C, take much more effort & can easily cause exhaustion & dehydration and that's without having a thick furry coat to take into consideration. 

There were, of course, some short expeditions into the woods to gather small branches with tender leaves (Photo #10), which were immediately brought back and taken under and into the lodge for the new family additions. You could hear the "mewing" through the lodge walls as food approaches, much like the excitement of baby birds as the parents bring in tasty meals. Then it's an "all quiet" for a few seconds before the sounds of chewing can be heard. 

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Beaver (North American) - 11 Photos

The following photos were taken over the course of two days and all within the last half hour before sunset, hence the different lighting.

The subjects are both most likely 2 years old or so and still exhibit a great deal of playfulness. They are, however, transitioning to adult responsibilities & in between play and eating, they were busy doing lodge and dam repair & bringing in young branches with succulent leaves for the "new additions" still safely hidden in the lodge, during daylight hours.

One is definitely smaller. I have to admit that sweet beaver face & the sounds he/she emits (something between a moan or a whine) when in close proximity to his/her sibling, just tug at my heart strings.

The smaller beaver swam in behind his/her larger sibling, making those adorable soft sounds, perhaps asking if he/she could join (Photo #1 through Photo #3) in sharing a meal together.

But there's always time for some beaver rough housing and wrestling, all in fun (Photo #4 through Photo #6). 

Photo #7 through Photo #10 are close-ups of those very wet but furry beaver faces. 

And onto Photo #11. Although smaller in size, this young beaver definitely excels in underwater aquatics. One of his/her favourite activities is to do a beaver roll just under the surface of the water, similar to that executed by seals. And it's an activity where one or more siblings join in. The execution is so unexpected, rapid & mostly done underwater, that although there were numerous attempts, I managed to only capture one sharp shot. Will continue to pursue my quest of more beaver roll photos.

I would emphasize this is not a beaver in distress but a beaver in play completing one full turn. Those are the two beaver hands at the top and believe that is the beaver's brown furry belly. One more quick movement and having right sided, it's a resurface & back to eating. 

MAY I JOIN YOU?

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"ROUGH HOUSING/BEAVER WRESTLING"

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"FURRY FACES"

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"THE BEAVER/SEAL ROLL" (Wheee!)

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White-Faced Ibis - 8 Photos

What could be more appropriate for tropical temperatures in Alberta, than a exotic looking bird that winters in the Southern U.S. and Mexico.

Generally when seen with the sun shining from behind, the Ibis appears black in silhouette but change the direction of the lighting and the bird's true iridescent feathers come into view (Photo #1 through Photo #5). And even a small shift in location & camera direction, can produce more subtle but perhaps deeper colours (Photo #6 through Photo #8).

The smaller birds that inhabit the marshy areas seem to be more accepting these days of what must appear to be to them, to be a predator. The White-Faced Ibis's diet generally consists of earthworms, small crustaceans and insects so no worries there. However, having seen Ibises on their landing approaches, they do somewhat resemble vultures so I can understand why the alert calls are heard through the marsh when an Ibis arrives.

While this particular Ibis was perusing the shallow water and shoreline for a tasty meal, several ravens were in close proximity sitting on the sandbar, not to harass but to take advantage of what was uncovered in the mud by the Ibis's scouring. And there certainly was easy feasting for the ravens just by following the Ibis's track. Ravens always know how to turn a situation to their advantage. 

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Beaver (North American) - 10 Photos

Two different beaver families, two different activities & a surprise.

Both families are comprised of six adult beavers each. New additions to be determined at hopefully some later date.

The first family have somewhat of a long commute, albeit most of it by water from lodge to work sites. There is, however, one small stretch where they must exit the pond, traverse a dry incline down to water below (Photo #1 through Photo #3). From there, it's a swift beaver swim to construction sites. 

And just like some of us, the commute to work can be smooth or traffic jams might be encountered. Take this crew on their way for a night's evening of activity, for example (Photo #4). This happens to be 1/3 of the current work force.

And while other members of the team were busy, at least one beaver remained vigilant as a look-out. With the lush grasses now well over 3 feet in height, perhaps a slightly taller beaver might have been a better choice. :) (Photo #5). 

The second family also has six adult members. As for new arrivals, well that is a strong possibility. Photo #6 & Photo #7 are of Mrs. Beaver on a grocery shopping expedition. And how do I know this beaver is a "Mrs.", well you might check out Photo #9, follow the left side of photo down past the beaver's arms to just above waist level. Surprise - that appendage is a swollen mammary gland. Looks like someone might still be feeding little kit(s) and that newly harvested branch covered in fresh young leaves, would make a lovely treat to tantalize young beavers into a transition to vegetation. I wonder who was left at home to babysit?

You can just make out one mammary gland on the right side of Photo #7.  I have included another photo from a previous blog, which shows one on either side, something that I missed upon first viewing (Photo #10).

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PHOTO #4 - "1/3 of Tonight's Work Crew"

PHOTO #5 - "Can You See Me Now?"

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Sora - 5 Photos

Soras apparently can lay up to 12 eggs, sometimes even 18. All do not hatch at the same time and from some basic research, one parent might tend to the hatchlings while the other maintains the incubation.

So with that many mouths to feed (unfortunately, all will probably not survive to adulthood), there has to be a lot of "back & forth" to the food source. And then it's the Sora dash back to the door/nest to deliver the goods.

The photos below were taken on two days. Photo #1 through Photo #3 are of the Sora with what I believe to be some type of invertebrate (worm, perhaps?). Photo #4 & Photo #5 are the Sora with a winged insect. 

There must be a tremendous amount of calories expended by one little Sora, as one small meal wouldn't go far among so many children and even the mate, if he/she is still sitting on the nest.

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Beaver (North American) - 9 Photos

The beaver is Canada's National Animal and appears on the nickel.

One may ask why Canada would choose a rodent to represent our country. Past history aside, there are many endearing attributes which could nominate the beaver & family members as "Canada's First Family". 

Beavers are hard working, amazing engineers, family oriented and know how to survive & thrive in a cold Canadian winter. With regard to their engineering skills, a research study uncovered that beavers use various construction techniques creating semi-permeable dams able to withstand large water flow volumes. Their use of wood, stones & mud is much like our bricks & mortar construction.

And, of course, there is always downtime to relax, grab a meal with family members & even on the odd occasion, have a quick surf in the river's rapids.

Unfortunately, I don't have a recent photo of a surfing beaver but I have been a witness to such activity. Also, I did meet a women who told me that once while she had been fishing with her husband on the shores of the Bow River, had seen a beaver go sailing through nearby rapids, get out and walk behind her. Needless to say, she had been a little nervous being in such close proximity but then the beaver re-entered the water, went through the same rapids, got out and repeated the exercise several times more. Beavers have no trouble navigating rapids and swimming into calmer waters so there was no need for exiting the river. Beaver surfing - who needs special equipment when it's all built in.

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Porcupine (North American) - 4 Photos

Now to put this delicately as possible, the porcupine in the following photos, appears to have gone from an "A Cup" to a Double D, which would make this porcupine a female and a Double P, i.e. Pregnant Porcupine. :) 

(N.B. Photos were taken late May 2024.)

Photo #2 is a close up of Photo #1, which allows for a more detailed view.

She did appear in a previous blog, Porcupine Walk About - May 17, 2024, and at that time I did not notice anything out of the ordinary. Perhaps, I did not have the right close-up photos or perhaps, two weeks on much closer to giving birth. Perhaps her hormones have now really kicked in and she is now nursing her porcupette.

The sparse hair patches on her face are completely symmetrical. They could just be a result of winter coat shedding and rubbing or even perhaps, hormonal changes due to the pregnancy.

So fingers & paws crossed, we may have a new addition to the woodlands. It may be some time before there is any visual news but great things are worth waiting for.

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White-Tailed Deer (Doe & Youngster) - 7 Photos

These were two White-Tailed Deer of a grouping of five, walking through a small cut out creek from the river, enjoying the lush greenery, water access & for the youngster, a quick splash or two. All the deer seemed to appreciate the cool water and the brief walk before heading up the small slope for further grazing.

The photos were taken approximately 2 hours before sunset as the sun lit up the herd who were facing directly west, hence the golden tint.

Because of the intimacy and size differences of these two, I think they are mother & son (check out those new budding velvet covered antlers), her son being now just over one year old.  Perhaps, it was the springtime warmth or maybe even a case of new head gear, but this young male was certainly full of himself and very cheeky.

He followed his mother, occasionally butting her from behind & although Photo #4 & Photo #5 appear to show a youngster nuzzling up to his mother, he was actually pushing into her with his head, to the point of head butting. 

But like most mothers, she was extremely tolerant & eventually he became bored and continued his water splash (Photo #6 & Photo #7) and then onto grazing.

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Sora - 9 Photos

The Sora can be described as a small water bird belonging to the Rail family, Rallidae. It is also known as the Sora Rail.

So now we have a Sora who is a member of the Rail family using a marshy road to traverse a pond. And what would you call such a road that is used by a rail?? A Rail Road, of course. :)

A Sora generally has only two speeds, fast & even faster. And having witnessed that rapid power walk, another bird comes to mind - the Roadrunner. 

Most of us have probably seen at least one or two of the Looney Toons or Merrie Melodies cartoons starring the Roadrunner & Wile E. Coyote. I've always had a soft spot for the coyote in these cartoons, mostly because of the inaccurate description & depiction of this often maligned canid. Coyotes are not wily but they are extremely intelligent and family oriented. 

But now having had opportunities to see a Sora in action & trying to monitor where he will make his next appearances & catch that on camera, I have even more respect for that coyote & total empathy for his attempts. It's no easy matter to catch a Sora or a Road Runner. 

Beep beep!

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Beaver (North American) - 7 Photos

This past Wednesday (June 19, 2024) marked two weeks since the rupture of a major water main feeder in Calgary, Alberta.  It triggered city wide water restrictions in Calgary, including a Stage 4 water restriction (outside water usage), together with a citywide fire ban. Restrictions remain in effect until all repairs are completed & the system tested.

Due to the nature & severity of the situation (a State of Emergency was enacted on June 15th), engineering teams/companies & experts have been called in to analyze, address and complete all necessary repairs as soon as possible.

On a lighter note, let's take a moment to visit the wild side & meet some of Calgary's other top water management engineers, those of the furry kind, the beavers.

Beavers are, of course, not able to build water mains that transport drinking water to our homes, but they play a key role in our eco-systems & water management.

Some ways beavers keep our eco-systems healthy & assist with water related issues are:*

1. Creating wetland habitats for themselves & other species;

2. Increasing biodiversity in plants & other species, such as amphibians & fish;

3. Improving water quality in their ponds, etc. through natural filtration, which in turn improves the water quality consumed downstream by people & other species. 

4. Storing water during times of lower rainfall & drought;

5. By actually minimizing flood risk by slowing the flow of water, which can delay & reduce flood peaks further downstream. 

(*Reference: Government of Canada - Parks Canada, 2022-11-19)

Now it's time to put some faces to that master of his/her own environment, the North American Beaver.

The photos below are of one particular family of six beavers.  I have not yet seen any kits but if there are any, am fairly certain they are sticking close to the lodge & making their appearances at sunset or after.

And this group of engineers is, of course, a family affair with apprenticeships at a very early age. If you ever need a dam or that iconic lodge built on the water, you know who to call. :) 

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Wilson's Snipe - 5 Photos

From my brief research on the Wilson's Snipe, I discovered this description (from a reliable birding source, I may add) - "medium-sized, pudgy shorebirds with short, stocky legs". 

Medium, shorebird, short stocky legs are all accurate descriptive terms but honestly "pudgy"? :)  The Sora, on the other hand, is described (same source) only as a little secretive bird. The Snipe appears to be somewhat smaller & heavier than the Sora but only slightly. 

So on behalf of all Wilson's Snipes out there, here is photo proof that you are not pudgy, which by definition is "slightly fat". The photos below are of a Wilson's Snipe that decided to perch on some very dead grasses/marsh reeds (basically weightless) and although the wind, at the time, was fairly gusty, you can see that there is not a hint of the perch collapsing or even bending under the weight of a "little" Snipe. :)

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Mink (North American) - 7 Photos

Rocky Road is a favourite ice cream of many and this mink is definitely one of my favourite minks.

Because of his extreme length of body and tail, I'm definitely leaning towards a male rather than a female. Perhaps it's just his way of moving & stretching out over the rocks, but this mink certainly covers the terrain both literally and figuratively.

Thanks to a potential abundance of fish in the area, there were a lot of rocky roads to cover which resulted in an ever so slightly slower and longer hunting technique. That result can go a long way when trying to photo capture a mink completely in his element.

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Mink (North American) - 7 Photos

This is a follow-up to the previous blog, "WHERE THE TREE LINE ENDS, CATTAILS GROW". 

There probably was a good reason that this mink returned to the same hunting grounds twice within a relatively short period. Having scouted the rocks in that rapid & erratic mink manner mid-morning, the mink finally came up with a good size Prussian Carp (Photo #5). 

And then on the afternoon visit, the completion of a further reconnaissance of the rocks resulted in not one but two more fish (Photo #6 & Photo #7). 

So that would make, "One fish, two fish, three fish". 

And as all fish caught were "Prussian Carp, an invasive fish species in Alberta, thanks little mink. You are indeed a super hero! 

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Prussian Carp & Raven - 11 Photos

Had been sitting by a small narrow creek, which is fed by a storm pond, late afternoon when I heard loud splashing coming from upstream. 

I thought, at first, that I had hit the jackpot & it was a mink fishing but when I looked down, there was no mink to be seen but a great deal of turbulent water. A few minutes passed and still no mink but then moving downstream I saw them. I am no fish expert but these are so distinguishable - Prussian Carp and there were dozens of them. There were so many and their activity so intense, that the creek water, for lack of a better term, was boiling (Photo #1 through to Photo #6). The fish below the surface have almost an eel like appearance, because of the lighting & positioning. 

Prussian Carp are an invasive fish species in Alberta and Saskatchewan and unfortunately, this school was spawning, hence the frantic behaviour. What started with so much "enthusiasm", gradually tapered off after almost an hour. And unlike salmon, who die after they spawn, Prussian Carp do not. Once spawning was complete, the fish completely disappeared.  According to my brief research, they can live 5 to 10 years and spawn several times a year. And a female Prussian Carp does not need the sperm of a male Prussian Carp to reproduce, although in this instance, there appeared to be an abundance of both sexes. They can reproduce asexually by exploiting the sperm of other fish species, to activate egg development & giving rise to basically female clones. 

Another frightening discovery that has appeared in some research is that it now appears some Prussian Carp eggs can survive going through Mallard Duck digestive systems. This might be another reason why these fish can seem to jump from one isolated storm pond to another. 

The good news is that herons, pelicans, birds and mammals like the mink all have a voracious appetite for the invader. If I had had the equivalent of the "Bat Signal" for a mink, I definitely would have lit it up in the hopes of bringing in a mink for an unbelievable feast.:) 

Alas, no mink but there were a few Ravens who had been attracted in by the disturbance & noise in the water. And as you will see from Photo #7 through Photo #11 , this particular Raven wasn't picking up dead fish (because there weren't any), it was fishing & plucking them out of the water. And they weren't small goldfish size by any means.

I am only an amateur naturalist but a suggestion might be to bring back another native predator to Calgary to assist in controlling carp populations in the Bow River, the much larger cousin to the mink, the river otter. The river otter is a native Alberta species and does live in other parts of Alberta, including Lethbridge. They are seen in Calgary but it's on rare occasions. Unfortunately, they were eliminated through trapping, etc. in the first part of the 20th century from the Bow River in Calgary. 

Their introduction would certainly be a great benefit to our eco-system in this and other ways as well.  Unfortunately, I believe this re-introduction will not happen do to the kick-back from some old school sport fishermen. I have heard, over the years, complaints from some fishermen about those damn pelicans (American White Pelicans) eating the fishing stock during the summer in the Bow. "Why are they here and why don't they stay where they belong???" is a common remark. And that's enough of my "soap box" commentary.

Let's give a huge thank you to all the wildlife super heroes out there, doing their part to reduce the number of Prussian Carp in our Alberta waterways. And that includes you, Raven!

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Mink (North American) - 7 Photos

"You can find me down where the tree line ends and the cattails grow" is a line from the chorus of the song "Old Dirt Roads" sung by Owen Riegling and I thought what a great description of the hunting/fishing grounds of a mink.

Because of their appetite for fish, birds, bird eggs, etc., they generally can be found near bodies of waters, such as creeks, ponds, rivers and areas in and around marshes, hence the title.

This is the first of two blogs featuring this one particular mink, who made at least two trips to the same area in one day (one mid morning, the second - later in the afternoon).  As you will see from the photos below, this is a large & very healthy mink. I'm not certain whether he/she is still shedding a winter coat but I'm particularly fascinated by the thickness and length of his/her tail.

Anytime I can photograph a mink even for a few short minutes, is a gift but to have two opportunities for a longer period is extreme good fortune.

MID MORNING VISIT

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LATE AFTERNOON VISIT

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Beaver (North American) - 5 Photos

The photos that follow are of one of two younger beavers, probably 2 years old by now and probably the youngest in the family, depending upon any recent arrivals.

So like all youngsters, they probably like to stay out late or in this case, go out early during the last of daylight hours, before their parents get up to start the night's work. I guess with beavers, the timing is reversed. They don't go out late evening and come home early morning. Young beavers, perhaps, like to go out late in the day and come home early evening.

And, of course, like all teenagers - food, i.e. munchies, is a priority.

So this young beaver, having surfaced from out of the lodge took the swim across the pond, to partake of the new green grasses. And then it was a quick trip back down the slope, back to the lodge and hopefully made it home before Mum & Dad woke up. :)

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Great Horned Owlet - 9 Photos

Now that this owlet has fledged, it will be a few more months before he/she has acquired all the necessary flying skills to enable it to successfully navigate the surroundings woods & master hunting for prey.

But until then, here are some photos of "baby's first steps" as the owlet managed the climb from the nest to working those all important wings and achieving the strength & dexterity that will be required in the months ahead.

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Great Blue Heron - 9 Photos

One Great Blue Heron, one blue green pond and one green meadow.

Spring truly has sprung now that the Great Blue Herons have arrived in Alberta. 

This one was looking to forage along the pond edges and into the meadows beyond. It was a few turns around the pond, some grooming and a wander through the grasses before taking flight to other venues.

So for now, due to the water depth of the pond, some of the best fish may be out of the heron's reach and for all those muskrats who inhabit this area, "beware" and stay in the deeper depths less you become a heron's next meal. Herons do like a varied diet, dining on not only fish & small frogs, etc. but the odd rodent as well.

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Great Horned Owl (Owl & Owlet) - 8 Photos

It appears to be another successful Spring for this Great Horned Owl family. 

With fledging now complete, the adults should now be moving onto the next steps in their raising, i.e. protection, teaching & of course, still maintaining a steady food supply.

The photos that follow were taken a few weeks ago, just a day or two before this owlet completely fledged to the surrounding trees. He/she had actually made it out of the nest and although Mother Owl had flown in with a newly caught meal, his/her attention was more on testing out wings and checking out surroundings (Photo #8).

But before presenting those photos in a future blog, here are some tender moments between a young owlet and mother. Although we may think that as humans, we have the monopoly on a mother's love and tenderness, wildlife proves again and again, that this concept is truly flawed.

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Beaver (North American) - 5 Photos

Two beavers eventually swam out from the lodge, late in the evening. 

From their size & activities, I think they may have been the two younger members of the family of six seen last year. At this point, I don't know if there are any new kits born over the course of this past Winter.

They ventured out looking for some new fresh vegetation, which allowed for a few close-ups. It's only recently that I've noticed that beavers actually have fur on their large noses. Totally makes sense as it's all about maintaining warmth, particularly when swimming in cold water. 

Photo #5 is the young beaver, who repeatedly swam back & forth across the beaver pond, towing a branch. There didn't seem to be any particular destination or eating involved. Perhaps he/she was just practicing or doing the beaver equivalent of "bench pressing" to build up endurance for carrying/swimming future building material back to the lodge. :)

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Coyote - 7 Photos

It's your birthday month, young Coyote! Or perhaps it's your belated birthday month, depending on whether you were born in April or May of last year. And you are officially one year old. Congratulations! :)

I haven't seen this coyote for some months now. Hunting patterns change depending upon the seasons and new responsibilities. With age comes maturity. This coyote, who is quite distinguishable with her red markings, has probably grown into a new stage in her family life. No longer a "newbie" and with the potential arrival of new pups in the family, she may now be expected to provide food, together with her other family members, for her younger siblings.

When first spotted, I wasn't certain which one of the three youngsters born last year, this was. I was still unsure as she made her way slowly down from the creek and then she paused & sat. This particular coyote, who I believe is the youngest of the three, has a habit of pausing in the middle of hunting & just sitting for a short period. The first time I saw her do this, I thought she was just taking a rest. However, having seen her do this action on a number of occasions and the fact that she has no trouble covering the landscape at speed, I believe she is actually taking a time-out to think about her next course of action. And from what I've seen her chase & catch, she is an amazing hunter.

So this is Foxy, so named because of her colourings which re-confirmed her identity when I downloaded the photos. And Happy Birthday, Foxy & may you have many more!

The colours in the photos are somewhat vibrant as the photography was done late evening just after a Spring shower (which explains too why the coyote looks somewhat wet). 

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Sora - 9 Photos

It's almost hard to believe that this small bird can migrate from southern regions of the United States & Mexico, etc. to its breeding grounds much farther north, including Alberta, Canada & beyond. In fact, I've rarely seen it fly and even catching a glimpse is a treasured experience as the Sora leans towards secrecy often staying hidden in dense vegetation. Usually, they are more often heard rather than seen.

So it was with a little trepidation that I reached for the camera, having spotted a Sora making its way through the vegetation close to the creek bank, where I was sitting. I believe it may have run out of cover of the marsh grasses and decided to backtrack (Photo #1). It then took a quick swim across the creek where it continued its foraging, searching for seeds and aquatic insects (Photo # 2). And yes, there was success with at least one insect (Photo # 4). 

It was then back to more searching of the marsh vegetation (Photo #5 through Photo #9) before disappearing up the bank and into the grass. 

So they really have landed here for another breeding season and with those almost alien looking toes & feet, perhaps "they do walk among us". 

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Porcupine (North American) - 6 Photos

While foraging, porcupines can cover a great deal of ground in their territories at quite a good pace. And, of course, because of their wonderful camouflage they blend into the meadow grasses & shrubbery while travelling. Should the need arise, there is usually at least one or two fallen trees with hollows to climb into for safety and evasion from predators.

Here are some photos to document one porcupine's trip from his/her descent from the tree, a walk across a log and finally reaching a grassy meadow. 

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Porcupine (North American) - 7 Photos

It was a bright Spring morning and the porcupine, depicted in the photos that follow, was originally catching some rays while napping in a tree.

And then shortly before noon, he quickly made his descent to the ground and found a secure but slightly exposed log den where he slept for the rest of the afternoon. It wasn't until early evening that he began to rouse, tend to some grooming and then make his way above the log pile, presumably ready for the evening's ground foraging.

My primary goal in photographing wildlife is to be as unobtrusive as possible which means being silent with minimal movement & being solitary (much like a porcupine, I guess) and of course, always from a safe distance. The welfare of the wildlife is paramount. 

I say "solitary" but of course, even in somewhat isolated areas, you are surrounded by bird & mammal activity and the air is full of bird song, particularly in the warmer months. And there are always the snacks I bring for myself to help pass the time and sorry wildlife this doesn't include you, no exceptions.

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American White Pelican - 9 Photos

So it's May in Calgary, Alberta, CA. It's been cold & snowy. Now that's changed to extremely windy & rainy, with temperatures still below seasonal.

The photos below are a group or pod of American White Pelicans, probably only recently arrived from places well south of the Canadian border. All were pure white with bumps on their bills, showing they are all breeding adults.

To say they did not look happy would be an understatement, particularly when they were all huddled together, heads down trying to minimize the impact of the cold wind.

One can only imagine, the conversations between birds, "Why are we here? and "Whose bright idea was it to migrate this far north?"

Don't worry, pelicans, the weather is supposed to warm up significantly later this week and there are plenty of fish in the river.

And I believe it is their breeding finery, but I love the stark white colouring of the pelicans, topped off literally with their spiky feather headdresses. They almost have an egret appearance.

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Porcupine (North American) - 6 Photos

To paraphrase that children's nursery rhyme:  "It's raining, it's pouring, the porcupine is motoring".

Having spent a few hours watching & photographing a porcupine napping and munching on fresh tree buds, with some scratching, the weather had begun to turn from a mixture of sun & cloud, to an occasional light shower. 

Although there were several false starts by the porcupine to climb down from the tree but whether it was just a re-positioning to remain out of the wind or a change of mind because the rain had stopped, it just didn't happen.

That all changed when the heavens opened and there was a huge downpour of rain mixed with snow. 

There may be some that believe porcupines, like their beaver cousins, are slow moving large rodents. However, when the moment or need arises, porcupines can be very fleet of foot. With those long sharp claws on all four feet, the descent was rapid and straight down the tree, with no side to side positioning (Photo #1). 

Once I realized the porcupine was actually going "to ground", I waited to see which direction he was going to take to ensure safety for both of us.   And yes, towards me was the answer. So I stood back out of the way and let the porcupine motor on by, Then there was the hasty departure from the woods (Photo #2 through Photo #4), across a series of fallen tree branches (Photo #5 through Photo #7),  followed by a run across a flat meadow to an undetermined but safe shelter, out of the rain.

I say "undetermined" because at the point the porcupine exited the woods, I did not follow. First and foremost, was the welfare of the porcupine, avoiding any additional stress to an already anxious mammal. Second, the only photographs you can achieve with such an exercise, are the south end of a porcupine going north. And third, believe it or not, you cannot outrun a porcupine. :)

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Wood Ducks (Male & Female) - 9 Photos

This pairing of Wood Ducks repeatedly flew out and in of a small creek, presumably taking a respite from house or rather nest cavity hunting. 

Perhaps because they were a pair & could keep an eye on each other and predators while grooming and eating, they were relatively relaxed.

Although the female is not as colourful as her partner, she definitely has lovely colours in her feathers & a lovely yellow circle around each eye for contrast.

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Yellow-Headed Blackbird - 6 Photos

So I have this unscientific theory that fits most bird species. As with most "rules", there are, of course, exceptions.

When Nature was giving out her gifts to the birds, the birds were given the choice of two out of the following three choices:

1. Flight/Swimming Ability

2. Beauty

3. Song

Take the little House Wren, for example. At a quick glance a tiny relatively plain brown bird that does have the gift of flight but oh my goodness, what a song this little bird can sing.

Then there is the Great Blue Heron - a stately looking bird with graceful flight and a huge wingspan. And then the heron opens its bill to speak and all that is heard is a loud squawk. :)

And onto the Yellow-Headed Blackbird. Like the House Wren, it has good flight and is a stunning beauty with that deep yellow contrast against the black feathers. And then the song, it's been described as a heavy door swinging on a very rusty metal hinge.

So here's another contender for the best of two out of three:

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Porcupine - 9 Photos

As North American wildlife goes, porcupines are fairly distinctive in appearance, with their brown furry faces & quill covered body & tail.

However, in trees, for example, when stretched out along a branch, they can sometimes remind me of enormous caterpillars, particularly if their quills are sticking up along their bodies much like the hairs on a caterpillar.

Then there is that "monkey" look, when porcupines are standing tall between branches and definitely when they are climbing down trees.

And then sometimes, with that band of quills surrounding their necks, they take on an almost male lion appearance with a golden mane. Or perhaps, in just the right pose & light, we are in the presence of a Silky Terrier dog.

But no matter what the look, "I Am Porcupine".

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Wood Duck (Male) - 7 Photos

The male Wood Duck depicted in the following photos is consistently in an area also frequented by a pair of Wood Ducks, presumably in a partnership. Unfortunately, this handsome fellow, whom I have seen on several occasions now, appears to be alone without a mate & extremely wary.

Unlike the pair, he is constantly on the move (which explains the difference of lighting & background in the photos) and is in one area for only short periods. Perhaps, he is off to other venues hoping to find a mate in time to join up & then find a suitable nesting site for egg laying.

One thing is for certain, it's certainly not "looks" that could be holding him back.

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Porcupine (North American) - 5 Photos

Contrary to what some individuals believe, porcupines do not sleep soundly without interruption, while napping in trees.

They often change position, sometimes taking time to scratch to remove old fur, particularly in the Spring to remove an old winter coat (Photo #1 through Photo #3).  

Having climbed the tree the night before and after a day of foraging the trees for Spring buds, ascending or descending to another area of the tree when branches became to hard to reach at the current level, it's time to return to napping but not before a yawn or two (Photo #4 and Photo #5). 

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Porcupine (North American) - 5 Photos

The popular trees are now in bud (commonly referred to as "sticky buds), with the formation of leaves not far behind. 

And it's also a time for "celebration" for porcupines. Having wintered on a diet of bark & dried vegetation, porcupines are heading into the trees for some succulent feasting while buds are plentiful. That sweet sap contained in the buds must be a great calorie replenishment and the taste must be like candy after a rather bland diet for the past few months.

But when the wind picks up, it's time to move floors to a location somewhat lower on the tree and more secure from the elements.

Some porcupines descend slowly down a tree, moving from side to side, gauging each foothold much like a rock climber making his/her descent.  This particular porcupine took a more direct approach. Once a side was chosen, it kept to the same path making short work of the climb down to a lower branch.

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Coyote - 6 Photos

Over the course of the last few months, I have been fortunate to have multiple sightings of one particular coyote family, particularly three siblings born Spring 2023 and have grown accustomed to a certain size and body type of this species of canid (Photo #5), i.e. less bulk & more leg length. 

Have seen the two adults on only two occasions and always from a distance. The sixth family member is most likely a youngster born in 2022 (Photo #6). Believe her to be female as she has been accompanying her younger siblings on various hunts, probably there to act as a mentor. Male pups generally leave the family between six and nine months to create a family of their own.

This particular day, having only seen a coyote or two from a great distance during the day, I started my drive home when I spotted the coyote shown in Photo #1 through Photo #4, in a residential area close to the Provincial Park. 

Found a safe parking spot, crossed the road & managed a few shots before he/she moved along at that deliberate coyote walk, disappearing into the surroundings. 

I thought, at the time, the coyote was rather large but when downloading the photos, I was blown away by his/her height & bulk. This was, indeed, a full sized very mature adult. 

Gender, of course, cannot be determined from the photos but due to the depth & thickness of the coyote's neck ruff, I'm leaning towards male. Whether male or female, this coyote is truly royal.

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Wood Ducks (Male & Female) - 9 Photos

House hunting in Calgary, Alberta is currently experiencing an intense market but finding just the right nesting habitat for the Wood Ducks could be somewhat challenging as well, as they search for the best location with close proximity to water but a secure nest in a suitable tree cavity.

The male Wood Duck stood by as his partner checked out various possible sites, both going from tree to tree but never landing that far apart. And there was a low vocalization from the female, as she called to her mate. 

Both eventually flew from the area and across to another section of woods, to resume their house hunting.

Photo #4 was taken at one of the first potential sites, which appeared not to satisfy the female's criteria. 

WOOD DUCK (FEMALE)

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Beaver (North American) - 7 Photos

The Miriam-Webster definition of sentient: Capable of sensing or feeling. Conscious of or responsive to the sensations of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting or smelling. 

So sentience is the simplest form of cognition. So then how, as a species, can we deny other species the attribute of being sentient when, in fact, it has already been proven that many species other than humans, express even the most complex feelings, such as joy and grief (elephants come immediately to mind).

Having witnessed beavers at play, expressing pure joy in executing what can only be called a beaver dance where a male & female beaver embraced each other while spinning in the water, and having seen a few "tiffs" or minor arguments, for me there is no denying that beavers like many other animals are indeed sentient. 

Take a moment to look into the eyes & faces of the beavers in the following photos and see what they can tell you. 

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Pileated Woodpecker (Male & Female) - 7 Photos

It was just one of those magical moments when all the camera "ducks were in a row", i.e. camera settings were suitable, lens was at the maximum length for a close up & timing was just right.

I try to remember to shoot head shots on wildlife if I'm near enough to the subject to get in close with the lens. The male Pileated Woodpecker was determined to dig out whatever was in this tree so I had an opportunity to focus in while he was pre-occupied.

I wasn't expecting to see anything other than wood chips after his excavation but what he pulled out of the hole explained his determination (Photo #1 through Photo #3). 

I'm not familiar with insect identification, let alone larvae so I went off to some reliable sources. The consensus was that this was the larvae of a longhorn (woodborer) beetle, which can get up to over 8 inches long. The length of the larvae can be estimated by the size of the Pileated's bill.

So having downed this large meal, Mr. flew off to join Mrs. for a brief period before flying on (Photo #4). He was probably so happy that as offspring have not yet arrived (let alone even laid), he didn't have to share. :) 

Having caught the male Pileated Woodpecker on camera, it was time to photograph the female, who was equally cooperative but not so fortunate in her drilling (Photo #5 through Photo #7). 

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Beaver (North American) - 7 Photos

There were so many titles that could have been used for this blog: -

1. Beavers Just Want To Have Fun (Sometimes)

2. White Water Kayaking Beaver

3. Beaver Body Surfing

4. Over The Falls, etc.

Due to the melting ice, there was a major breach in one of the beaver dams in one of the ponds where a beaver family resides. I had gone out late one evening hoping to catch beavers coming ashore to sample the vegetation but was shocked at the volume of water cascading down into the channel below.

This system of ponds & channels is used by the beavers to navigate the course of waterways safely & with minimum exposure to predators. I don't what what it had been like before the thaw, when it might have been a gentle stream but now it resembled a miniature Niagara Falls, with white water pounding down into the water below.

It took some time for beavers to arrive. First one showed up, followed by another and eventually there were five and one lone muskrat. 

Each beaver surveyed the damage, brought over some repair material and re-entered the calm water above the dam. The repair work was minimal, perhaps due to lack of available material or the need to replenish those calories lost over the winter months. Then one by one, the beavers swam back & forth before proceeding down into the "falls". Perhaps, they were contemplating the best way down or maybe it was to pluck up some courage before navigating the white water. 

For humans, white water kayaking requires developing paddle & boat handling skills to negotiate the eddy line, break in and out, ferry glide to cross the water, defensive paddling, brace strokes, and assisted & self rescue techniques. 

Beavers, of course, have the equipment built in and with the ability to hold their breath under water for at least 15 minutes, it becomes a matter of just navigating the area, mostly under the white water, avoiding any potential dangers such as rocks or branches that may be encountered. So paddles & boat handling skills are redundant and with their strong swimming skills & webbed back feet, ferrying, defensive paddling & brace strokes are innate. 

And with regard to the assisted & self rescue techniques, am certain beavers have that covered. On the other hand, there were a few seconds of amusement for the photographer when the muskrat ventured too close to the dam breach & was pulled towards the rushing water. It was a quick turn around, a flip of the muskrat's tail to act as a rudder and a frantic swim back to much calmer water. This muskrat obviously didn't want to be the first muskrat over the falls without a barrel. :) :)

I don't think the muskrat would have had too much difficulty in going in and through the white water but it definitely would have been an extremely quick trip. They too can hold their breath for at least 15 minutes and the entire trip was only seconds but muskrats probably aren't adrenaline junkies like these beavers. 

I now have a whole new appreciation for beavers & their white water skills but also for photographers who capture humans white water kayaking. It's somewhat challenging to follow a kayaker/beaver as they go under water and come out the other side and still have the shot in focus. There were certainly a number of photos taken where all I had was white water and no beaver in the frame.

And yes, no beavers were injured during this adventure. All eventually turned up in the quiet pool below and swam on to sample willows, etc. to replenish much needed calories.

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Coyote - 7 Photos

Flat light, particularly on a snowy day, can sometimes prove to be challenging. For one thing, it's more difficult to put one foot in front of the other while trying to distinguish definition in snow covered terrain, where everything appears white with no depth.

Or in conjunction with a pure white landscape, it can provide a pure clean background to highlight a majestic coyote going about its coyote business in pursuit of food (Photo #1 & Photo #2). 

With only drifts of snow to break up the white landscape, the mounds seem to take on an almost cloudlike look but from a perspective of looking down, not looking up into the sky.

So here we have a coyote walking in the clouds and leaving behind only a few tracks & maybe a hint of a shadow cast by the sun above (Photo #3 through Photo #6).

And to bring everything back to earth, there is Photo #7, coyote complete with shrubbery & grasses pushing their way through the snow. 

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Coyote - 7 Photos

Coyotes are so fleet of foot that because of their easy gaits & ability to cover distances with such ease, they can seemingly appear & disappear at will.

Having quickly recovered from the realization that the coyote was actually going to attempt to cross a narrow beaver dam bridging a small creek, I was somewhat amazed (and to some degree amused), at his/her caution in the approach.

Now the dam's make-up of branches, logs & mud covered in deep snow, situated above partially frozen water would definitely have been a "no go" for me, even without camera equipment. I'm not the nimblest and sure of foot navigator of deep snow and when proceeding into unbroken snow, I am very cautious in evaluating each foot fall, being wary of what may lie beneath, particularly in flat light conditions.

So it was with some amusement (and admiration) to see this coyote proceed in a somewhat similar manner, stretching out each leg and foot to test the terrain. The drop to the ice/water below was not much but with the potential of wet paws and legs that could freeze in the below zero temperatures, a slip in footing could have had somewhat serious consequences. And yes, with those cold temperatures there was a steady snowfall.

Although the entire crossing probably took no more than a minute, it did allow adequate time to grab some shots of the coyote's progress which ended in a successful result with the coyote back onto more solid ground (although deep snow covered) and resuming hunting pursuits.

Thanks, Coyote, for not making me feel completely inadequate when navigating snow & icy conditions. Even the most agile & sure footed, proceeds with caution when it comes to the unknown path.

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Beaver - North American (5 Photos)

The following photos were taken in full sunlight approximately an hour before sunset.

Figuratively, to have "a day in the sun" can mean having a heyday or you have reached the highest possible level of success. This family of beavers, through their hard work, have made a series of wet ponds into a connected eco-system where wildlife not only survives, but thrives. In Spring & Summer, many bird species including shorebirds & ducks, visit these ponds, some even nesting. And, of course, with an ample source water, even during the hottest months and ample food sources, there are mammals such as deer, coyotes & even minks.

So, in my book, the beavers have reached the highest possible level of success by creating a viable home for not only their species but many others as well.

One beaver swam over to the pond's edge and did some mud dredging which he/she left on the remaining ice of the shoreline (Photo #1).  I believe there is a small lodge (or bolt hole) dug into the bank close by and the mud is probably for some future use. 

Having done some of the "heavy lifting", it was time for some sun & grooming before proceeding onto other matters such as dam repairs (Photo #2 through Photo #5).

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Porcupine - 8 Photos

Spring has arrived and in Calgary, Alberta, per normal, so has the snow.

The photos that follow were taken just over a week ago, when the sky was pure blue & the temperatures much warmer. And warmer temperatures & sunny skies can entice porcupines to climb trees after a night of foraging and bask in the sunshine during daylight hours. 

It was too early for the buds to appear on the tree branches, probably much to the disappointment of the porcupine. These sweet buds must be like candy to a porcupine and a much needed source of calories & refreshment after a Winter diet of bark & old vegetation. However, along with soaking up the sun's rays, there was another matter that needed attention. And that would be removing the excess hair/fur of the now shedding Winter coat from under that armor of quills (Photo #1 through to Photo #5). 

So there was a great deal of scratching & itching involved, which involved alternative front & back feet, great for those hard to reach places. That would also include some side posturing to ensure an overall belly rub (Photo #6). 

Grooming having been temporarily put on hold, it was time for a break (Photo #7) and finally a well deserved nap (Photo #8). 

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Bald Eagle & Black-billed Magpie - 6 Photos

It's that infamous line from the 1967 film, "Cool Hand Luke".

Continuing on from the post, "Parent Potential", eventually the male adult Bald Eagle took flight, leaving his female partner preening on her branch of the tree. Not long after, arrived the inevitable Black-billed Magpies  but only one appeared to have the courage (or something) to come in close to the eagle (Photo #1).

Adult Bald Eagles appear more likely to stand their ground (or branch) in this case. They know who is in charge, while the immature eagles seem to take more of a defensive approach.

Am not certain if this magpie was just interested in the preening activities of the eagle of its magnificent feathers or whether it was just waiting for the right moment to be the most annoying. In either case, this female just did not care. 

And I can relate to Photo #4, particularly when I am in wildlife photographer mode. 

Photo #5 has been captioned, "Twins" which is a movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger & Danny DiVito as two fraternal twins who are re-united as adults. A Bald Eagle & a Black-billed Magpie - who knew??? :)

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PHOTO #2 - "WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE"

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PHOTO #4 - Isn't it annoying when you are enjoying the serenity of your surroundings & a complete stranger comes along, sits beside you & won't stop chattering! :) 

PHOTO #5 - AVIAN VERSION OF THE MOVIE "TWINS"

PHOTO #6 - Finally, solitude & peace is restored.

Coyote - 7 Photos

It may have been an end to the day, but for the coyote it's probably only the beginning of another shift of hunting.

And although there may have been some "negotiations" between two coyotes as to which direction to take, eventually the second coyote won the debate and the first (and larger) one followed back into the meadow from which it came.

A coyote's coat in colouring & thickness can change between Winter & Summer. However, I have observed from the photos that depending upon the type of light whether it be from direct sunlight or cloudy days, during the same season the coat colouring can appear different. For example at sunset, the coyote's coat is truly golden (Photo #1 through 6). 

I have included a photo of a coyote taken on January 16, 2024, on an overcast & snowy day, late afternoon. And now the coyote takes on an almost ghostlike appearance, with only some highlights of brown (Photo #7). 

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PHOTO #7 - Taken on January 16, 2024

Bald Eagle - 9 Photos

Courtship now complete (or at the very least a re-affirming of the partnership), it will be back to nest building for preparation of egg laying & eventually the arrival of chicks later in the Spring, hopefully.

This probably won't be the first go-round for this pair and potentially not the last. In fact, in the process of these two flying in and landing on opposite branches of the same tree, a third immature Bald Eagle came in but continued on, but not without a lot of eagle chatter.

And with the genes from this pair, their offspring can only be awe-inspiring.

MALE BALD EAGLE

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Coyote - 6 Photos

So in the movie "Field of Dreams" a team of baseball players seemed to appear and then magically disappear into a cornfield. Well this is a grassy meadow not a cornfield, but a coyote with its camouflage colouring can seem to appear & disappear into the grasses and shrubbery.

And as for the field of dreams, I suppose the coyote is hoping to uncover rodents under the snow blanket and have a meal. As for me, I dream of achieving that perfect capture of coyote, particularly against a wintery background. You can never have too many photos of a coyote in its element.

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Coyote - 12 Photos

The photos that follow might be discomforting to some. However, in all things Nature, there exists two camps - prey & predator, bearing in mind that predator can also become prey and prey - predator. For example, muskrats are a favourite food source for herons, bobcats, coyotes, etc. but I have been witness to a muskrat catching a large Prussian Carp fish & devouring it. Here, the prey became a predator.

And one important criteria should be remembered. Wildlife must eat to survive and there are no easy visits to grocery stores or fast food restaurants to replenish calories. 

This young coyote has already demonstrated her prowess as a hunter, with small & large quarry. I could be mistaken but she appears to be a thinker, often pausing and even sitting for a very short period before travelling on. At first, I believed that because she is the smallest of three siblings, this was due perhaps to less stamina but then seeing how she keeps up with the other two & can go from stop to full out speed to chase a deer, this is probably not the case. She seems to be figuring out her next move during these intervals.

So case in point, the coyote had disappeared into the woods only to re-appear sometime later to scout the edge of a small creek. She paused (Photo #1), looked left and then walked on going right, paused again and then went down into the grasses that line the bank. And then up she popped with something, that at first I couldn't make out (Photo #2). There was some vigorous shaking from side to side and then I could make out her catch, it appeared to be a black Eastern Gray Squirrel?

Because the bank is lined with shrubs & grasses over a foot high & no clear photos could be taken, I made a slow move around to where I could face the coyote head on but from a safe and higher viewing point. Thankfully, she was so involved with the squirrel, that she took no notice and in fact turned around, facing in my direction. 

And that's when the Photo #3 through Photo #10 were taken.

As you will see from the photos, there were periods where she paused and looked right, into the direction of the woods (Photo #3). In fact, at one point she actually sat for a few seconds, Photo #10 (there's that sitting posture again), but with her ears up and listening. I assume she was listening for and possibly hearing her older sibling who was probably close by. These two are never that far apart from each other. I couldn't hear any vocalizations but there are sounds emitted from animals that are well beyond human hearing.

Having finished her meal, she skirted around the wooded area, paused along the bank (Photo #12), turned and headed down the hill. By the time, I had covered the distance, there was no sign of her. Another coyote making one of their amazing disappearing acts.

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Coyote - 6 Photos

Following on from the blog "SHADOW WORK" (February 24th, 2024), Photo #2, the following photos were taken on different days over the course of the past few months. 

As mentioned in that previous blog, the title is a line spoken by Nathan Fillion as his writer character, in an episode from the series, Castle.

I won't debate the "for" and "against" in respect of the truth of that statement in relation to the actor but for me, without doubt, coyotes (like their cousins) are truly ruggedly handsome, whether they be female or male and particularly when they are out decked out in their winter finery.

Photo #4 shows how the coyote is not only one good looking canid but a master of disguise as well. Although the coyote's head & facial expression are clearly visible, the remainder of his/her body appears to fade, almost disappear into the grasses.

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Coyote - 7 Photos

Just a few words under this blog but basically, I will let the photos that follow (or more so, the subject), speak for themselves.

The scientific name for the coyote is "Canis latrans" or barking dog in Latin, so named for its vocalizations. The coyote has many other names, such as prairie wolf, brush wolf, little wolf and American jackal. 

A coyote by any other name is still as stunning, amazing and awe inspiring. 

Note: All photos were taken from a safe distance & location.

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Coyote - 5 Photos

Take a sunny day and a coyote working its way across the snow and sometimes you get "a two for one".

These photos were taken on different days and at different times of the day, but each one has a coyote complete with its shadow counterpart. No wall in a dark room or human hands required, just Nature providing the lighting, the background and a beautiful subject. 

And other than the reflection by the sun on the ice in Photo #5, all the shadows do appear remarkably similar to those that can be created on walls in your own house, with the right conditions, for and even by children. 

Nothing, however, beats the real thing! :) 

Photo #2's caption, "I Really Am Ruggedly Handsome, Aren't I?" is a line said by actor Nathan Fillion, as his writer character, in an episode of the series, Castle and is a lead into a future blog.

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PHOTO #2 - "I really am ruggedly handsome, aren't I?" 

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PHOTO #5 - Because of the ice, a reflection in colour.

Red Squirrel - 7 Photos

A little intermission from coyote blogs, although "coyote" will turn up in this blog.

I hadn't seen this little red squirrel for a week or so. It visits a very large fir tree, near where I like to sit & watch for wildlife. The tree has an extremely large bottom bough which covers a large circular area with soft earth, protected for the most part from snow and is a favourite place for the squirrel to use as a pantry for winter stores.

On my most recent visits, I have seen squirrel tracks around the outside of the tree bough where a thin layer of snow had settled. In and on top of the squirrel tracks, were coyote tracks and indeed there was a path from the tree into the woods, which the coyote had used (going by its tracks).

So one would start to wonder. At this point, I would like to go on record that I do not choose "sides" in the natural world. I am not on "Team Squirrel" nor am I on "Team Coyote" and remain completely neutral in how things play out in Nature. Every animal has to eat to survive whether it be prey or predator. And it depends on the day and the skills of mammal/bird what the outcome will be.

But then along came Red, who obviously needed to seriously use some of its hidden stores. And because the squirrel was so involved in eating (what I believe to be pine cones), it made multiple trips to the tree. It would then sit for longer periods on tree branches happily munching away. 

This allowed for some opportunities to capture this adorable little red rodent, who I may add has a gorgeous thick coat & appears very healthy. Although, having reviewed the photos, there is one shot where if the subject was a person, you may think might be demonstrating a somewhat rude gesture (Photo #7 ). Perhaps, I and the camera had worn out our welcome! :)

My last words to this little Red Squirrel is "just be careful out there". You're not the only one checking the pantry but I am sure you already know that.

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PHOTO #7 - Could this be a squirrel giving "the paw"! :)

Coyote - 6 Photos

So hopefully no one is weary of reading blogs about coyotes & seeing their photographs. But my philosophy in wildlife photography has always been, while the sightings are good, go with the flow. :) And I admit I have always loved to photograph coyotes in the wild but these last few months have allowed more of an insight into their family interactions & how integral they are to the balance of Nature's eco-systems.

Now I had two other options for a title for this particular set of photos. For example:

1. Coyotes Singing Hallelujah

2. Coyotes Howling Hallelujah

So why did I go with "Marco Polo", the game played by children usually in a swimming pool. For those not familiar with the rules:

One person is chosen to be "it" he/she closes his/her eyes and gets on one end of the swimming pool. He/she counts to 10 and shouts "Marco" and all the others in the pool shout "Polo". The one that shouts "Marco" has to try and catch one of the persons who shouts "Polo". It can be shouted as much as possible. Once he/she catches a person, then that person is now "it". 

In this instance, the following changes apply:

1. Substitute "Coyote" for "Person";

2. Substitute "Meadow" for "Swimming Pool"; and

3. Eliminate the physical "counting to 10", perhaps :)

I saw two of the three sibling coyotes running down from the ridge and across the meadow. Then somewhere between the meadow & the woods, they became separated and the smaller one disappeared from sight. The larger of the two crossed the frozen pond, came up the bank and began "singing" profusely, which is when I managed to capture the action.

This coyote then proceeded to walk towards a creek and out from the other side of the woods, dashed the smaller coyote. Am not certain if there had been a response from the second coyote. There are, of course, vocalizations from wildlife that are beyond a person's hearing. However, it was a very quick reunion & then both literally ran for the hills and out of sight. You just have to love these two siblings. The youngest/smallest is definitely a female & having examined some of the photographs, I'm tending to lean towards the second one is too. So hopefully they will have at least another year together, each watching out for the other.

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Coyote - 8 Photos

Probably most dog owners have seen their pet nibble on some vegetation such as grass, either as a supplement to their diet or perhaps to alleviate an upset stomach.

I don't know what and when this coyote had been eating as during the time I had been watching, no hunt was successful. However, having traversed the meadow, he/she turned its attention to a small grove of trees surrounded by tall wild grasses. After a quick perusal of the area for rodents, etc., he/she turned to the dried grasses and began eating some of the vegetation. With the grasses being so tall, there was no need for any bending or stooping, just reach over & grab a few blades (Photo #1 through Photo #5). 

Then the coyote turned, took a quick reading by sniffing the air (Photo #6 & Photo #7) and then it was a 180 degree turn and back to the main meadow (Photo #8). 

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Coyote - 7 Photos

It was Jane Goodall, during her chimpanzee studies in the 1960's in Gombe, who gave actual names to the individual chimps in her research, much to the chagrin of academics. She was accused of anthropomorphism or giving human qualities to wildlife & setting them apart as individuals.

Hopefully, we have come a long way from denying individuality to Nature's creatures & have a better understanding of how each mammal, bird, etc. has traits & behaviours specific to its own individual make-up. As for giving human qualities to wildlife, who are we to attribute feelings of joy or grief or the need for play to only people when one only has to observe the natural world to see so many examples. 

Humans do not have the sole proprietorship to emotion.

I have had in the past few months, opportunities to observe three sibling coyotes, belonging to a family group of six. These three appear the most frequently together, with the two youngest generally paired. I began calling the second one of the two, Foxy, because of her coloring which resembles a fox. Her brother/sister, I named, Moxy & discovered how appropriate that name was when this young coyote took chase to a large Mule Deer doe and was subsequently chased back by the deer. Fortunately, it was a learning lesson & no harm done. Moxy definitely has "moxy" or courageous spirit & nerve. 

So if you have Moxy & Foxy, what are you going to call the oldest & most wary of the three - Roxy. :) Have only managed to photograph Roxy from afar, generally when he/she is napping with the other two siblings on a ridge.

This particular morning, Foxy had followed Moxy out of the woods, having unsuccessfully tried to stalk a deer. (See Blog of January 29, 2024 - "A Run Through the Woods") She appeared out of the shrubbery and then walked out and down the footpath, obviously hoping to meet up with Moxy. Foxy then turned, walked back and looked into the other wooded area where Moxy had disappeared & was obviously still there from her reaction (Photo #1 through Photo #3). And she waited & waited and eventually what do you do when your companion is late & you're tired of waiting, well you sit down or in this case, lie down & relax (Photo #4 through Photo #6).

Some minutes later, Moxy reappeared with a dash through the woods to the footpath & both took off at terrific speed to continue in their hunting pursuits.

Included as Photo #7, is a photo of Moxy, taken upon his/her return to the same general location. And its snap a shot while you can, because Moxy isn't one generally to linger. And yes, shortly thereafter appeared Foxy. (Other photos of Foxy appear in Blog of January 29, 2024 - "Somewhat Close Encounters of the Canid Kind"). 

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