The Snowman's Hat

There's no escaping the falling snow.

Some wear their snow hat with style,

Jaunty and off to one side.

Other's prefer to keep the snow dead centre

Where it sits atop their head like a huge pom pom.

This one's hat might be one size too big,

And will surely take its owner down to the ground.

By the end of the day, forget the hat...

We're all going to end up wearing a full cloak of snow :)

Dressed in White

We're wearing white again today

I smile in a knowing way

You make the world look so fine

Everything has a sparkle and shine

I think about you every day

I know that you're not here to stay

Someday soon you'll go away

We're wearing white again today

Inspired by the poem "She's Wearing White Again Today" by Rob Meader

Up To My Neck!

Yes, you can feel sorry for me...

While you're all showing off your wonderful spring buds and blooms,

I'm up to my neck,

well,

at least up to my knees

in snow!

And it's not old, on-the-way-out snow.

It's brand-new, white, fluffy snow, the kind that says winter is just beginning.

Yes, your spring photos have given me cabin fever.

In response to my last photo of the gigantic mystery holes in the tree trunks,

I can only think of one bird with a tool powerful enough to drill that deep...

That's right!  It's a Pileated Woodpecker.

As soon as I can dig my way out of the house I'll head over to the park to see what he's been up to since my last visit.

Chop! Chop! Chop!

That's if he's left any trees standing,

to see :)

Building A Mystery

In their own wooden way

I am happy to say

That trees house mysteries

As deep as their roots.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Open your eyes look up to the skies and see...

This beautiful Bohemian Waxwing!

Named "Bohemian" for their nomadic movements, these birds travel around from fruited tree to tree never staying long in any one area.

They seemed very happy to stay away from me and my camera,

burying themselves deep within the branches of the trees.

The few I managed to take pictures of were stragglers,

slow to follow the flock as they moved to a new location.

You Can't Hide Love

You feel it too,

Though you try to hide

This powerful feeling

Deep inside

 I know the truth

And so do you

Cardinal's love to play
Peek-a-boo :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Uh Oh...

I knew it the second I saw him;

his stillness,

the way his feathers drooped over the feeder...

Something was wrong.

He didn't startle at my presence,

at the scraping sound of the shovel,

or the snow being tossed into the air.

Not normal behaviour for this Common Redpoll.

This is what I was shovelling my way to,

the spot where my husband and I sit to watch

 the birds flit between the feeders and a nearby fir tree.

Rather than continuing to make any more noise,

nervous of scaring him away

when, perhaps he wasn't well,

I decided to leave this little guy in peace.

The shovelling can wait.

Just Like Us

Of all the animals we share our winter with,

squirrels seem to be the most similar to us.

They hibernate when it gets really cold,

venturing out every once in a while in search of something to eat.

This lucky guy has found some peanuts someone has put out for him.

Notice how he keeps an eye on me.

Ready to spring into action

If I start looking a little too hungry.

Taking his treasure with him to eat at a safer distance,

He makes sure to hide it from me completely.

After filling its stomach it climbs up a tree to catch the last rays of the sun

Where it slowly begins 

To fall

Asleep.

Just like us.

Strength & Beauty

Ever notice how some people never lose their spirit.

No matter how harsh the conditions,

how heavy the load,

With grace, they carry whatever comes their way.

Seeing how they conduct themselves,

how they maintain their integrity,

their purpose,

their beauty,

Is pure inspiration.

Hello Stranger

After my last post of doom, gloom and (freezing to) death you'll be happy to know that all the ducks are fine.

They are not just fine they are splashing and quacking and fighting with each other, doing everything ducks are supposed to do.

Except of course: be here when the temperatures are still way too cold for them.  This is the forecast for the next few days.

As you can see they are acting as if it is the middle of summer!

I don't know how my husband spotted this.

Out of about 150 Mallard ducks he finds one that is different from all the others.

It took me a while to find its name.  It is a Northern Pintail. 

According to this map he isn't even supposed to be in Canada right now.

(The dark blue area is where they winter.)

I guess that's the last time he takes directions from the Mallards :)

I have to say I'm happy he stopped by.  Isn't he handsome?

And yes, he likes to splash around just like everyone else :)