Tag / Manitoba Wildlife

Red squirrels are active during the winter and can be seen running around in the snow and on trees on milder winter days. They build great  nests sometimes lined with stolen fabric which they have borrowed from lawn furniture. Fur lined and cozy they can keep warm on blustery winter days.  Their nests are built in spruce/fir tree boughs, inside hollows of tree trunks or in homes/garages and sheds if they can get access.  I love watching their antics and get a kick out of them when they “scold” you from above.  They are territorial and although many squirrels can live in the same area they often go on real good chases chattering and uttering clucking warnings to other squirrels.  They can clean out a bird feeding station in no time but then they need to eat too. I always find many peanuts buried in my flower pots and beds every spring courtesy of the squirrels.

Enjoy!

Sharon

This little one was munching on unripe wild blueberries alongside the road in the Sandilands area.  It was a small bear but we did not see the momma bear anywhere – perhaps she was in the bush.  Not taking any chances of encountering an angry mother bear, these photos were taken from my vehicle and this little bear did not appear disturbed by the parked car.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

I came across this Snapper sunning at the edge of a road near Lac du Bonnet.  It doesn’t have to worry about lazing around out in the open as there are no predators that would attack it.  These turtles can be very dangerous if one tries to handle them – definitely not advised!  They are fascinating creatures with body armour and scales reminiscent of their prehistoric ancestors.

Below is a close-up of the foot showing large claws used for digging and layers of scaled body armour.

Enjoy!

~Sharon