Backyard funnies

This was April 19th and we still had a bit of snow from the day before. My white throated sparrows juncos and more were getting extra food to get them through the last snow storm hopefully of the season. So I would just open the front door and throw out some seed. Well the birds were not the only ones taking me up on my offer. They were acting a bit skittish when I noticed a fresh hole. They kept checking it out. The junco went right over to it. It was so funny. Then the birds scattered. And this little nose appeared. Then a little head and slowly a body. A little chipmunk had made a new hole and was coming for the fixins I threw out on the lawn too. It really was funny. The morning doves were preening their oh so beautiful feathers. Everything is so much more colorful at this time of year. Although I hibernated inside most of the day. The bird watching was fantastic.

Snowy owl surprise May 1st 2014

While out yesterday I luckily came across this beautiful female snowy owl. She had caught a bufflehead duck and was mantling over it. Having a good feast lasted her all day. She had moved on over night. And while photographing her I noticed she had a radio tracker on her back. Probably one of Project Snowstorms snowies. Was so totally amazing to see her at this time of year.

Blue wing teal in the pond were the owl caught her bufflehead

Wet day

Second day in a row that the rain has fallen. Its cold and overall damp. However everything is really greening up. Although even the flowers, the few who have stuck their heads up didn't come out today. To cold. But the raindrops were just to pretty to pass up. Got my rain gear on and out I went.

Crocuses on my front lawn tight as can be today.. But still beautiful covered in raindrops.

Lilac bud.

Tulip leaves

Type of ever green tree.

Robin building its nest.

Rocks & reflections

More rain drops.

Angry lake

nest didnt make it

Well 2 years in a row now this pair has been unsuccessful. They did not re nest last year so I am assuming they wont this year either. Last night was a horrible night for winds and weather. Only 2 eggs left. Something will get a meal out of them though. Nest was open to cold , rain, and waves splashing over them when I got there. And the shoreline was littered in debris as well. Was one rockem sockem night on the lake from the looks of it. Dead fish washed up and crayfish and even small rocks littered the shoreline.

Nesting goose April 18th through 25th

I have watched this pair of Canada Geese every year now for 4 years. This being the 4th year for them. They lost their first clutch. Second one they had 4 gosling's. 3rd, I monitored the whole hatching of the gosling's and rescued one of them from out of a downspout as they nested on a roof and were born the absolute worst day. Sleet ,rain, snow high winds. Unlike the year prior where they hatched and took them off the roof all within 24 hours. The 3rd batch of gosling's due to bad very cold weather. Spent 3 days under mom before the sun came out and down they came. This lot is also being incubated in bad weather right now. One day nice next day terrible. She this time is nesting beside the the dock. Ice came within 6 feet of her nest. And now she is getting blasted by high cold waves crashing on the shoreline off the dock right over her. We are keeping our eye on her. She will not move until those eggs hatch and babes are all out. Male is close by now and I feel it will be soon. After watching this pair they are pretty easy to read. They accept me well. And are quite popular to the family who owns this property. All things on hold till the beautiful little fluff balls arrive.

Here she sits on her nest at the beginning

You can see she has added her downy feathers to her nest.

Dad is hanging out on the lawn near by.

This is a cool day again. She has put more downy feathers under her on and around her eggs.

Totally relaxed leaning her head on the rock as she checks me out.

This is from today. Thee worst day . The ice threat is gone. But now she has to contend with high waves crashing in off the dock. She is soaked in cold water which almost looks like ice pellets  her back. Every time the water hit her she shivered. Her wings are held out further away from her body to protect her precious clutch of eggs beneath her.

The water washing up and over onto momma goose.

Angry lake.April 25th

After such a lovely peaceful day on the lake yesterday. This is what we wake up to. Yesterday could here loons calling long tail ducks and red neck grebes galore. Today only a few loons calling but not seen and a few buffleheads bouncing in the waves near shore. Crazy weather. But also shows you just how powerful mother nature can be.

Here I got down and shot over the ice crystals that had built up in the sand. Really was beautiful. But oh so cold.