Birds of different feathers....

A few days ago we decided to get our dose of fresh air during a quick walk along the Old Quarry Trail. I always enjoy those little trips because I get a chance to visit the little feathered friends and bring them some treats.

Plain, unsalted peanuts are always a hit with the chickadees and nuthatches when we encounter them. This cute chickadee was closely observing us while we peeled some peanuts for them.

This nuthatch was quite a vocal fellow and scared away the chickadees frequently to collect new peanut pieces for his seed stash somewhere in the trees. The chickadees eat their nut pieces right away when they pick them from the hand contrary to the nuthatch who flies back and forth way too quickly to actually eat all that much in such a short time. 

For the second time this winter I saw a Pileated Woodpecker. The first encounter was so brief though that I couldn't really get a good look at him. 

Not this time. We almost missed him sitting on a tree right next to the trail but then he called out which obviously got our attention. He clearly enjoyed snacking on some dried berries, which I think were of some sort of wild grape variety that was growing up a tree. 

He was so busy looking for them that I was able to come a little bit closer. Such a pretty and rather large woodpecker. I'm really glad that this time I got a proper look at him. :)

We left while he was still picking berries.

Going for a stroll through the wintery forest

Another beautiful day, perfect for a walk. I really prefer visiting forests that are located right next to bogs or swampy areas during winter time. Places where I was mobbed by swarms of mosquitoes or was rushed through by deer flies in the warmer months, I can now enjoy at a leisurely pace.  So off hubby and I went to take in some fresh air.

The red seeds of the Staghorn Sumac add a beautiful contrast to the muted browns all around.

Little pathways  make it easy to navigate through the brush.

The afternoon sunshine painted beautiful colors onto the trees.

 I really like that this particular forest is in its essence being left on its own devices. Trees lay were they fall and only the little pathways are being maintained.

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 

Mer Bleue Conservation Area

Today we drove across town to the Mer Bleue Conservation Area. 

Mer Bleue is the largest bog and natural area in Canada’s Capital Region and the second largest bog in southern Ontario. The conservation area has a northern eco-system more typical of the Arctic than Ottawa Valley. It is 7,700-years-old!

On this visit to this northern boreal landscape we took a stroll along the boardwalk to take a closer look. The bog provides habitat to many species of regionally rare and significant plants, birds and other wildlife. There are still a number of other trails we look forward to exploring.