Chickadee Photo Art

Great Blue Heron

// June 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Birds of Manitoba, Boreal Forest, Whiteshell Provincial Park

These are truly beautiful birds found at marshes in Manitoba.  They will eat fish, frogs and insects which they catch with their long spear-like beak.  In flight, they tuck their head back towards the body and fly with their feet extended – easy to identify on a fly by. These photos were taken in the Whiteshell Provincial Park.

Enjoy!

Sharon

Nobody was home !

// June 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Boreal Forest, Whiteshell Provincial Park

So, I made a trip out to the Whiteshell in the spring in search of wolves as there have been numerous and frequent sightings this winter.  I found the wolf den, some tracks and scat, but no one was home.  Below is the wolf den dug under a tree in sandy soil.  A good-sized adult could comfortably fit into this den – if they dare!

Then, I was taken to an area where porcupines had completely stripped a spruce tree of its bark and naturally hoped to see a porcupine.  We found the tree, but no one was home.  This was the only tree in the area that was nearly bared of its bark . . .

Next, an active Eagle’s nest but once again, no one was home.  We did see the eagle soaring high above the area. These are very large nests – this one about 4 feet across and situated high in the trees.

Okay – so something found me.  This woodtick . . . they were abundant and not hard to find. I really don’t like woodticks!  Ugh!

Sometimes this is the way things work out when you intentionally go searching for wildlife.  As a rule, we see animals and birds when we least expect to and are fortunate if a good photo opportunity presents itself.

Lesson 1:  The animals and birds don’t work on my schedule.

Lesson 2: Always have your camera on hand because you will most certainly need it when you don’t have it.

Enjoy!

Sharon

Spider – Orb Weaver

// June 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Insects

So, in previous posts I mention that spiders are not exactly one of my favourites but admit they are interesting.  One thing for sure, they are all hairy.   This is another spider found in my garden area, pretty sure it is another orb weaver.  This spider  had a good size the body and was about 2.5 cm around ( 1″ for the non-metric crowd ). When I came too close to it the front legs went up in a defensive position.  I had no intention of getting that close !

Enjoy!

~Sharon