Old Quarry Trail

Today was finally a beautiful sunny day. Just -8C and actually very inviting for a walk in the forest. The landscape was still dusted in white from yesterday's snowfall.

Right in the parking lot there were 4 woodpeckers working on the same tree. After watching them for a short while I started my loop through the forest. It was a very calming walk I have to say. I enjoyed the silence and the trees, didn't see many animals though. 

I encountered a very curious squirrel that didn't seem to be able to make up its mind whether it's more scared or curious of me. Once it settled on a sunny tree branch I took a few pictures but moved on once it looked like the little guy was about to run off.

I also liked the back-lit fluffy cattails in the bog.

The chickadees were curious of course but settled in the afternoon sunshine once they figured that I came with empty hands (ok ok I felt bad about that but what can I do...). The breeze was quite cold but they looked very handsome with their fluffed up feather coats.

In order to return to the parking lot I decided to choose the grassy, brighter path on the west side of the trail system, rather than to follow the trail back through the forest. I also wondered whether I might see any deer there since I did not see a single one throughout the forested part of the loop. 

Out there in the open the wind was biting quite nicely (as I figured out at home, windchill was -19C) and I quickly made my way through that but not without stopping for a few minutes to take some pictures of 3 deers! I was actually really happy to see them.

Around Shirley Bay

It was a little bit chilly today and I did not manage to find all too many volunteers for my photo session. Luckily there was a small group of Bluejays busy and not too concerned with my presence so that I could take some pictures of them.

Then all of the sudden a Snowshoe Hare came hopping out of a bush, here and there nibbling on something along the roadside or on some roots. He or she really looked adorable in the semi-winter coat.

At Shirley Bay it seemed as if a group of Canada Geese used my appearance as a training session for the younger generation. The ones in the back started calling out and the first group of birds took off. The other ones followed a few minutes later. Well, they have a point. It's not only people with cameras that point lenses at them. :)

I really like when those little icicles and ice covers start forming on the vegetation and rocks along the river. I think it's beautiful.

Winter birds, passers-through and a very rare visitor

I ventured out to Shirley Bay and Andrew Haydon Park today in order to try and get some long exposure pictures but because there were so many interesting birds, I changed my plans, naturally. 

American Goldfinch Females

These four took over the feeder by storm.

Downy Woodpecker Female 

Blue Jay
There was a group of four, a family I guess, enjoying the seeds people left for them.

Chipmunk
Surprisingly I only saw one chipmunk.Well, I guess I simply was too late for the day.

Red Squirrel 

Seagulls

Hooded Meerganser 

 Mallards

King Eider Female
That's the very rare visitor from the Arctic.

King Eider Female