Chickadee Photo Art

Manitoba Winter

// December 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Scenic, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Winter

It was inevitable – Winter finally arrived and we just got out form  under a  two week high pressure system with freezing cold temperatures in the -25c to -30c range, bright sunny skies and still no snow in the city.  Thankfully the weather is quite mild again and pleasant to be outside once again. There is snow all around us now but  we have only a dusting of snow and the grass is still visible and the roads dry in the city limits.   This is not great for our perennial gardens as they need the snow cover to insulate their roots over the winter.  I am afraid we will lose a lot of our lovely plants this year.  So, today with Winter being the theme I thought I would post a few photos of . . .  WINTER.

The wind on the open prairie sometimes blows the snow away leaving the field stubble visible.  It is very bleak looking at times.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Seasons Greetings to All !

// December 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Holidays / Traditions, Winter

To everyone who is visiting this site I want to wish you all the best for the holiday season.  We celebrate Christmas at my house but there are many of you who likely celebrate different holiday traditions at this or other times of  the year.  However you choose to celebrate the holidays I wish you Happy Holidays!  Today a few seasonal photos in the spirit of the season.

Above:  This is Oliver posing nicely by the tree  – my cousins beautiful and lovable dog.

Below:  A Christmas Teddy by the tree.

Merry Christmas !

Sharon

Birds of Manitoba – The Scavengers

// December 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Birds of Manitoba, Boreal Forest

Today is dedicated to birds found in Manitoba that may not be so popular as the very pretty song birds or birds of prey.   The Turkey Vultures are part of nature’s sanitation crew.  They are large birds that will feed on dead animals or on refuse at garbage dumps in cottage country.  Their head is featherless for good reason seeing as they will often stick their head inside the cavity of a carcass to feed.  By having no feathers on their heads they can keep this area free of debris.  Ravens and crows pictured below also work on the sanitation crew.  I like crows, they are smart birds but must admit they are annoying when there is a group of them cawing in the early hours of the mornings. The ravens have much thicker heads and larger bodies than the crows.  Crows will migrate while the ravens remain here through the winter. The Grackles are another not so popular bird as they will raid eggs from nests and swarm on bird feeding stations.  They often travel in large flocks.  Their head has an iridescent purple sheen and sometimes they can be confused with purple martins.

Below: American Crow

Below:  Common Raven

Below:  Grackle

Enjoy!

~Sharon