There are a number of decaying snags along the Amisk Wuche Trail but one of them held more than bugs.  I caught a glimpse of something shiny which made me wander over to investigate.  An empty beer bottle was tucked in the cavity hollowed out by the woodpeckers.  Those pileateds sure know how to party.

The Canada Geese were active when I staked out the beaver pond yesterday.  They didn't mind sharing the pond with the ducks but they sure did mind my presence there.  One of them kept a close eye on me the entire time that I watched the beavers collect material for their dam. 

Tonight there was action in the pond at the SWC.  The beavers were busy clogging up that culvert.  They dived under water for mud and climbed amidst the reeds for stalks to build their dam.  I could hear them chewing branches that they gathered.

The red-winged blackbirds were calling.  The tree swallows swooped in and out of the birdhouses that are mounted on the fence posts. 

It was a great evening for a walk on the wildside.  


 

I just got back from two glorious hours at Elk Island.  The first was spent hiking the Amisk Wuche Trail.  A symphony of sound was lead by the boreal chorus frogs.  Their songs were music to my ears even though they were deafening. 

The second hour was spent at Astotin Lake; staking out the beaver pond.  I found a spot where I thought there would be some action.  I hunkered down and waited.  It didn't take long for the first one to show up.  It circled round a number of times, checking to see if I was friend or foe.  There were no tail slaps so I guess I passed the test.

While I watched the busy beaver, flocks of cranes flew overhead.  About 30 minutes into my stake out, a second beaver joined the first.  They worked together; bringing branches and mud to a culvert that they were plugging up.

On the drive out of the park, one tick-ridden moose crossed the road.  Bison in small herds, grazed alongside the highway.  They drank from the puddles in the ditches.  A couple of hares nibbled on the new grass growing on the edge of the forest.

What a great way to spend the evening!

 

I really needed an outdoor day.  It's been awhile since I've been on the trails.  The weather was perfect.  The sun shone between little rain showers.  There was just enough rain to make things smell fresh.  

I managed to visit Elk Island and the Strathcona Wilderness Center.  I have to say that both were not for fitness.  They were definitely for mental health; just me, my camera and nature.  The day was perfect.

I started at Elk Island on the Amisk Wuche Trail.  There was still ice on the beaver pond with only a few small areas of open water.  As I crossed the boardwalk, I heard ducks, geese and frogs.  When I reached the other side, I felt like I was being watched.  As I looked around to

find what was giving me that feeling, I noticed a large beaver.  It's color blended in with the brown grasses.  It stood very still, keeping an eye on me.

Almost all the snow is gone from the trail.  There were only a few shady spots that had icy patches.  The low spots had standing water that was home to many swimming bugs.  Butterflies flitted across sunny spots.

I stopped at my favorite area on the trail.  I could smell the damp earth, the wet leaves and the spruce needles.  Water trickled down a bank.  It's soothing sound was music to my ears.

My second outing took place at the SWC.  The beaver pond was ice-free.  It is full of water and home to a pair of Canada Geese.

I could hear the frogs, gulls and ducks.  I could hear the tall grasses rustling in the breeze.  The trees swayed to and fro.  I could see their reflection in the many large puddles on the trail.

I savored every minute of my time outside today.  I could hear, see and feel the earth waking up after a long winter.  

I took a short trip to Elk Island today to see if the ice has come off Astotin Lake.  It turned out to be a great excursion for birding.  On the way I saw a red tail hawk carefully perched at the top of a poplar tree.  As I slowed, it glanced my way but did not fly away.

There were many pairs of mallard ducks in the ponds along the way as well as in the park itself.  A number of small hawks were perched along the roadside ditches.  They were not close enough for me to get an ID without binoculars.

At Astotin Lake, a killdeer ran along the edge of the beaver pond.  It was not afraid.  I opened the window to get a couple of photos and it began singing its sweet song.  At the same time, I heard the familiar calls of the red winged blackbirds and the Canada geese.  I could have listened to that natural symphony for hours.

I left the park and continued on a road trip that eventually looped back home.  The best sighting of the day was in field east of Lamont where snow geese and Canada geese were feeding in a farm field.

I arrived home in the early afternoon.  I was surprised to find one purple finch, the first of the season.  There were also a number of dark eyed juncos. 

It was a great day to see a number of birds that returned to this area.  My only wish was that the light would have been better so that my photos would have been better in quality.

On my travels I stopped at a favorite farm supply store.  They had rubber boots on sale so I treated myself to a new, colorful pair that reach all the way up to my knee.  They will be great for exploring the trails and ponds on rainy days ahead.  I'll be outside rain or shine.

 

I chose to spend my outdoor time in the backyard today.  The sun shone brightly as I raked, trimmed and enjoyed the fresh air.  It was a welcome change.

I took 3 wheelbarrows of dead grass and deer poop off the lawn.  When the mule deer showed up for food this evening, they appeared confused.  There was no deer poop trail for them to follow to the dish.  They kept sniffing the ground and it took longer than usual to make their way to the food tub.  I noticed that their colors are really changing.  Their coats are turning darker.
 
The forecast shows rain for later this week.  My yard is ready.  The perennials are sprouting and the natural grasses that I planted last summer are greening up.  There is still a big bank of ice alongside my garage.  It may take awhile for it to melt but the rest of the yard is ready for spring.

While I was working in the yard, I heard flocks of cranes and geese overhead.  The horses from the farm behind my lot stopped by for a visit and a crunchy carrot.  The neighbor's cat parked itself on my patio furniture for an afternoon nap.  It is officially spring.




 

 

I've been taking care of a three-day event at work.  It's the first of three events in seven days which means my outdoor time this week will be minimal.  I'm hoping for at least a couple of hours outside tomorrow between doing the stack of dishes that have piled up on the counter and washing the clothes in the over-flowing laundry hamper.  That's what happens during my busiest time at work.

I checked the temperature for tomorrow and it says +17C.  I hope that doesn't change overnight.  The remainder of the week shows rain drop icons.  It rained all night long yesterday.  When I opened the back door this morning, the rain was still gently falling.  The robins were singing in the tree tops and the smell was amazing.

On the drive to work, I didn't see the Easter Bunny but a red tail hawk was perched at the top of a tree very close to the range road. They usually fly away when I try to capture a photo.  I didn't have my good camera but thought I'd give it a try anyway.  The hawk remained on the branch and I did manage to get a couple of shots.

I love leaving for work early in the morning.  The animals are looking for food and the morning sun lights everything with a

warm glow.  The moose were not out today but the two mule deer visited the backyard after I got home.  I haven't seen the five amigos for a few days.

I really should have taken care of the dishes and the laundry this evening but I opted for a fire in the wood stove and a nap on the couch.  I think I have time to pack my hiking backpack for an early morning outing.  Fresh air, here I come.

My little internal voice told me to leave for work early this morning.  I trudged across the yard through 5 inches of snow.  The sun was beginning to come up, lighting up the branches with its early morning glow.

It didn't take long for me to see one of my favorite creatures.  The trails at the SWC were covered in snow so the large moose lying on the trail was easy to see.  It didn't appear to mind that I stopped to take a photo.

At the end of the SWC driveway, a pair of Canada Geese rested on the icy surface of the pond.  There are a number of ponds on my way to work and each one had geese sitting on the ice.
 
There was fog in the low lying areas.  It made for a beautiful scene as the sun's morning rays shone through it.  

I was close to town already when I saw two more moose.  Both were along the ditch, at the edge of an acreage yard.  They were doing some spring pruning of the willow trees.  Neither of them moved as I stopped to take their photo.

I spent the entire day inside so was very surprised to find all the snow in my yard melted when I got home.  Only the icy bank on the north side of my garage remains.  

I hadn't seen my furry backyard friends for a few days.  I know that they have been in the yard because the food tub was empty at the end of each day.  When I got home today, the tub was still full.  A flock of starlings were feasting on the grain until the pair of mule deer came charging into the yard.  They were not fond of the birds and gave chase until all the birds were gone.

There is a sunny icon on the weather website for Monday.  I hope that doesn't change because I'm looking forward to spending some time outside.

The backyard was free of snow and dry enough to rake except for an icy bank on the north side of the garage.  This morning there is a 3 inch blanket of snow covering everything and it's still going hard.  Just another spring day.  Will I get to try out that ski equipment that I just bought?  The moisture it brings is welcomed.  I was thinking about that on my last drive through Elk Island.  Even though there was a lot of snow during the winter, the ponds are not full.  The water has seeped into the earth. The beavers and muskrats will be on the move looking for water.

Yes, I love snow for outdoor sports and the fact that there are no bugs in winter but I was planning what to plant in my garden beds.  At this stage of the season, there's no snow sports and no planting. Today I'm thinking about the rejuvenation that is happening under that white blanket.

Happy Easter weekend!

 

I am in the middle of a very busy month at work so my outdoor ramblings have been limited.  My backyard deer and birds have been neglected and I was beginning to wonder if they were still going to visit me.  

I've been leaving home in the dark and coming home in the dark for almost a week.  On my last late night, I rounded the corner closest to home and I saw all five of my deer friends lined up at the end of my driveway.  They looked like they were watching for me to come home.

Most of the snow has melted in the backyard.  The only place that has snow/ice banks is on the north side of the garage.  This morning I woke to an inch of snow on the deck.  The deer were out in the snowstorm.  Their coats provided some thick protection against the big, wet flakes.

On my way to work this morning, I saw two moose.  Both were resting in the fresh snow near a willow thicket at the end of the SWC driveway.   

On Tuesday, I took a quick trip to Elk Island to see what has been happening there.  The Canada Geese and the Mallard ducks are back and have found some open water.  The beaver ponds have some small areas that are ice free.

The pussy willows are fully open along the roadways.  I'm certain that there will be many of them included in table arrangements for Easter dinners this weekend.  It is really beginning to look like spring is here.

I've been watching the forecast and it is looking like the temperature is on the rise.  I'm hoping that I'll be able to get some outdoor time in on my next couple of days off.  It's long overdue.

Something kept telling me to leave early for work this morning.  That same little voice told me to have my camera ready.  It didn't take long to find out why.  Not two minutes from home, two beautiful moose were along the roadside, munching some young twigs for breakfast.  The food must have been very tasty because they were still in the same area when I came home.

The snow is almost gone in my yard.  The once beautiful white blanket has been replaced with a path of deer droppings.  I'm going to have the greenest grass going or the smelliest if I can't get out there soon.  There's also plenty of mud and water puddles.
 
The deer provided lots of entertainment for my granddaughters when they stayed with me last week.  They would watch for the slightest movement in the trees.  "Gramma, the deer are coming!"  Both would run to the window seat for a birds eye view of the feeding frenzy.  The deer got very used to seeing the girls in the window.  They did not hesitate coming to the closest feeder.

The smell outside was wonderful this morning.  Wet grass and pine needles made it smell like camping.  The sounds were amazing as well.  The only 'noises' I heard were the chickadees and the Canada Geese.  I will miss the snow but camping season is just around the corner and I'll be ready.

The ice and snow are being replaced with gigantic water puddles.  The girls found and tried out every one of them at the playground.  Water poured out of one pair of boots.  Oh the joy of spring puddle jumping!

The deer were enjoying the puddles as well.  I saw them visit the yard twice today for water only.  They came straight to the water puddles, sipped and left.  

My little bird watchers listened to the different calls that the birds were making in the backyard.  They tried to remember each bird's name and call.  They are great at doing bird IDs.  There is an indoor 'forest' at the play gym that we went to; complete with bird calls.  The girls could name them all.  They dazzled the adults with their expertise.

Spring puddles!

They were 'camping' in the 'forest' as well.  They took some mats and laid them out between the trees, right beside the 'bonfire'.  When they 'woke up' they would run around through the trees and make their way back to their mats.  They were very entertaining.

We went to the outdoor playground in the late afternoon.  They watched the crows and the ravens circle around.  They guarded their snacks pretty closely when I told them that the birds were going to swoop in for some food.

As we played, both the girls, simultaneously said that they smelled a bonfire and that it was a good smell.  I didn't even mention to them that a campfire smell is my best aromatherapy!  Sounds like they will be a couple of great campers.

The backyard deer have been putting on quite a show.  It is as if they know that the little girls are here and that Uncle Matt and Uncle Chris have not seen them in daylight hours.  Yesterday's little brawl in the backyard was followed by another today.  Both the white tail and the mule deer visited numerous times and once again had a little spat when they all showed up at the same time.  I love the entertainment that they provide.

The feed tub and the bird feeders needed refilling quite a few times today.  My little helpers took care of that.  When the deer showed up, the girls were even more excited because the deer were eating 'their' food that they put out. 

The birds were busy in the yard as well.  The chickadees and blue jays made numerous visits to the feeder set up on the deck so the girls got some close up views of them.  A pileated woodpecker came by yesterday and today and a few pairs of Canada Geese flew over the yard.  Their honking could be heard throughout the neighborhood.

We decided to take our chances at the playground today.  It is spring break so school is out and we had the entire playground to ourselves.  We hadn't visited it since last fall so we didn't know how much snow was left or how icy it would be.  It turned out to be almost perfect.  The playground conditions were great but the wind picked up and we had to leave after an hour.  It was getting quite chilly.  Some hot chocolate back at the house took care of that.

On the way to the parking lot, some water had puddled and frozen solid which created a little patch of ice.  It was perfect for the girls to practice some future figure skating moves on it.  

We'll see what the weather will be like tomorrow and make a decision as to whether we should visit the outdoor or indoor playground.  We might even find enough snow to take out the skis for a final tour of the season.

"Let's bungle in the jungle..."  Well it was more like a rumble in the backyard.  That's what happens when the mule deer shows up and interrupts the party that the five white tail deer were having in the backyard.  Nobody liked to share.

Every time the mule deer wanted to get at the food, he was chased away.  They others would run after and stomp on him but he kept coming back for more.  He's either really tough or he's really not thinking too clearly.
 
I felt sorry for him so i added an extra serving of food this evening.  He did end up coming back and eating his fill.  If today was any indication as to what will be happening in the backyard for the rest of the week, my granddaughters are going to be witness to quite the daily show.