I almost passed this lovely bird by as it was swimming among Canada Geese at Hecla Island.  It was the little tuft of feather sticking up on its head that made me turn around and take a second look.  I have never seen this type of goose before – but they could be easily by-passed as my reference book indicates they can be found amongst the Canada Geese  as singles or small numbers.  They are about the same size as Canada Geese but their bill has a pinkish tone and their plumage quite different than Canadas. 

Below – Greater White Fronted Goose swimming with Canada Geese.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Today some photos of the Red Fox.  Fox can become accustomed to human presence, frequent places like golf courses, cottage areas etc. and will accept handouts if people make the offer.  Not likely a good idea.  A few years back at the Pinawa Golf Course, foxes were so bold they would snatch lunches/snacks from the golf carts.  They are very cute little animals, slightly larger than a domestic cat but sometimes look bigger because of their usually bushy coat of fur.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Above:  Kildeer at Oak Hammock Marsh

Spring seems to be arriving early this year just like our little groundhog predicted it would.  With spring will be the arrival of our wonderful variety of birds.   The geese have already arrived and the Bald Eagles are once again soaring high in our skies.  Today’s blog features birds commonly found around our marshes and lakes.

Below:  Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper & Common Snipe.  These photos were taken at Oak Hammock Marsh, Hecla Island and Twin Beaches

Enjoy

~Sharon

Two fishing shacks that have been pulled off the ice.

A shack and augers in the distance on Lake Winnipeg at Hecla.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

as well as a goat, numerous cats, a few dogs, chickens and rabbits.   A beautiful sunny Saturday in late March necessitated a trip out to the country and north to Hecla Island.  These photos were taken at a farm in the Riverton area.   It looks like spring is arriving early  here in Manitoba so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

I love goats and remember them from my early years at the farm.  We would get goat’s milk and butted by the Billies.  They loved eating hard peppermint candies which my uncle would always have handy in his pockets.  Note their eyes with the horizontal pupil.

Enjoy !

~Sharon

We are re-visiting Hecla Island once again. A beautiful red fox was hunting in a clearing just off the highway. In a small marsh on one of the back roads, Solitary Sandpipers were happily snatching up food with their very long beaks. Another view from the Quarry clearly shows the layers of sediment that consist of dolomitic limestone, shale and sandstone which are known as sedimentary rocks and formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

~Sharon

Hecla Grindstone Provincial Park is about 2 hours north of Winnipeg on Hwy 8.   Hecla features a beautiful campground, a golf course and a newly renovated Gull Harbour resort. It’s a very picturesque spot in Manitoba surrounded by Lake Winnipeg and is home to many varieties of birds and animals including moose and wolves.  There are some easy walking trails through the marsh area and a wildlife viewing tower just a short walk off the highway.  A few years ago we saw a wolverine in that area. The stones along the shorelines are rounded and polished from the constant action of the waves.  Marsh Marigolds were in full bloom in the ditches giving them a splash of colour.

There is also the very historic Hecla Village which is still home to descendants of Icelandic settlers.  It seems a big friendly dog was acting as a village greeter this weekend as he/she loped down the highway right to the car.  I am not sure of this breed but it looked like the dog was wearing a winter hat with ear flaps.

You can easily visit on a day trip. Places to purchase provisions are limited so be sure to take whatever you will need with you for a picnic lunch.  Today’s blog features some of the scenery from the park.