Valentine's Day pt 2... new species sighting!

So, as this Valentine's Day continues right along... I have to make another quick note here, as I am happy to announce a new species sighting!

We decided to go out for dinner, down to a place called "Snug Harbor" in Port Credit, Ontario.

We had a great table, right along the waterfront. It was probably 20 minutes before sundown and as we sat, had a drink, talked... we also got to watch the water fowl finishing up their day. We saw dozens of Canada Geese, probably ten White Swans, lots of Mallard Ducks and in the mix were these smaller white and black birds. Upon closer viewing, and me remembering some of the species around due to my "Toronto Birds" book... we realized we were watching a number of Buffleheads! A small duck that is fun to watch... a speedy swimmer and if you take your eyes off them, they dip down under the water to feed.

Cool facts are that this is the smallest diving duck in North America and unlike most ducks, the Bufflehead is mostly monogamous, often remaining with the same mate for several years.

I really should start my life list...

Best Friends...

So it's Valentine's Day... just chilling before the day really gets going.

I know I've had a few downer notes lately but that's life... you got your ups and you got your downs.

I thought I would share a little bit about this happy couple who live with my parents. Lucky the cat and Maggie the dog.

As you can see, they are quite inseparable.

Lucky is a 22 lb LHD and Maggie is 11 lbs of a Silky Yorkie.

I guess they have known each other for maybe 8 years or more now. Their relationship didn't start off quite so smooth but that is so long ago. A day doesn't go by where you don't see these two in such a position.

It's funny, back when I was a child, watching cartoons... I always saw that cats and dogs were enemies. Who knew?

We can learn a lot from our animal friends, who easily see past each other's differences.

Closed her eyes forever this morning...

For those of you who have contacted me regarding the kittens... and how the littlest of the bunch is doing. Sadly, she was put to sleep this morning by the Vet. Her health has been deteriorating, she's not gained any weight and has been on a down slide health-wise the last number of days. She's barely been able to stand up so never mind feed. The food won't stay in her either, kept bubbling back up... and they thought it would be best for the little one instead of having her continue to suffer with her weakening health.

I only knew her for a very short amount of time. As I said, she was half the size of her siblings. A grapefruit was larger than her as I watched her sleep that evening, all curled up in the bed. I had such hopes for her but it just wasn't meant to be. She had the best care in my neighbour and her own mother cat who did try to get her to feed regularly.

She was never given a name, much like her siblings waiting for homes. I would like to give her one now... Molly.

he sure makes that coil of garden hose look comfy

Found this pic on my cell phone and remembered that August afternoon in 2007 when I opened my garden shed to find this little guy sleeping on the top shelf, using a coil of garden hose as his bed (that is a patio umbrella beneath). I quickly took this photo of him and then shut the door to let him go back to sleep. He never returned after that from what I have seen...

Rats! A Hawk attack!

I borrowed a pic from the 'net to give you a better idea of what a Red Tailed Hawk looks like.














The photo above is from the scene that happened today as I am about to describe.

For those of you who may not know me through Facebook... today, February 4th, 2009 was a rather sad day for me. The rat who has been living at the back of my yard all winter was killed by what I am 99.9% certain to be a Red Tailed Hawk.

I wrote about this rat in my blog a week or two ago.

I've enjoyed having this critter hanging out at the back, getting his share of seeds and nuts. I've watched him grow. Just yesterday I really took notice to his increase in size as I was telling Angie that I swear there was a Chinchilla at the back of the yard. He was just that big and fuzzy.

Today, I watched him all morning, going in and out of the cinder blocks at the back for his meal. He was always quick to run out, grab some grub and dash back into the blocks. I made it part of my daily routine outside to throw a cup of seed/nuts into one of the block holes to keep him from coming out as much, to keep him safe. I had been noticing a few cats hanging around down there waiting for him along with a few Hawks (Coopers and Sharp Shins) who had been snagging Starlings and Pigeons through January.

Unfortunately, shortly after 12 noon, I was preparing my lunch, decided to have a peek out the window and see what was going on... and then to view a large Hawk standing on the ground with something in his clutches. I got the binoculars out but I already knew who it was.

I snapped a couple pictures from the kitchen window. I then decided to open the back door and hopefully get a better view of the Hawk, and a picture to help identify him. The Hawk got spooked, even though he was at least 100 ft away. He flew up into the trees, zig zagged a bit back and forth and then flew off. I got a good view of him as he flew out of the yard, and as I said, I am quite certain it was a Red Tailed Hawk. I paid close attention to his tail feathers as he sat in the tree at one point.

I am sad for my little rat friend. He was the only rat to be seen so he is special in that sense. So many freak at the thought of a rat running around... but he kept his distance from the house, didn't bother anyone/thing.

I feel some guilt too because I had excitement to see this species of Hawk. I have seen Red Tails as I travel the Hwy 401 but never in my own backyard.

I am not upset with the Hawk; they gotta eat too! There's lots of snow around, so food is scarce for them too.

I went to work and left the rat there on the ground, in hopes the Hawk was going to return for him. Unfortunately that did not happen. Here it is 11 hours later, I am home from work, and the rat is still down there, dead in the snow. There is a small pool of icy blood by his mouth.

I will leave him there over night and hope he will be taken off by some nocturnal creature tonight or another scavenger in the morning hours. I wish for his death not to be wasted.

Lastly, we did give this rat a name... Gunther

Not My First Sign of Spring...

Hanging at the park near me on February 2/09 and noticed many Robins buzzing around in the forest. Years ago I would think that this is the first sign of spring... and back then it was. Now? Not so. I see them through the winters now, deep in the woods. I saw at least 6 in this spot. I began snapping pictures of the one here on the left and not long after this male Northern Cardinal showed up to see what the fuss was about. I am figuring in about 7 weeks I will be posting MY first sign of spring on this blog... stay tuned...

Sometimes it's difficult to get away from it all even when you think you did

To the left is a male White Breasted Nuthatch at Bronte Creek in Burlington, Ontario; and below is a Black Capped Chickadee.
















Sunday February 01, 2009 has been the best day of the winter season so far and by a long shot. The sun was out in full and we hit a bamly +3c for an afternoon. It was on the windy side but that was okay.

We decided earlier in the week, weather permitting, we would check out Bronte Creek in Burlington, Ontario. A great bunch of walking trails although with the snow a pair of snow shoes or cross country skies make the trek much easier. Acres of forest, open fields and a river runs through it! This makes a good place to hopefully spot some wildlife. We've heard of what can be seen here from the many small birds species such as the very tame Black Capped Chickadees which more often than not will take seed from the palm of your hand, White Breasted Nuthatches, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays among many others. Word is Snowy Owls are in the area but we didn't see any; along with a few Hawk species like the Red Tailed. Mammals are in abundance too but we only saw black Squirrels, gray Squirrels and heard the angry chatter of one Red Squirrel. Deer can be seen, if you are quiet and lucky enough.

There are buildings about the conservation area... very old houses (not open) and a small farm. Loads of House Sparrows live in the barns and hop about the old farm equipment within. There are Cows about and a Peacock pen too!

It's a great place to spend a nice afternoon, not too far out of Toronto. The only drawback is that it takes you a bit to get into the woods and away from the road noise of the QEW (highway). I am not keen on listening to the cars and trucks speeding by as I am on a nature hike.

In another year or two there will be an even bigger drawback as directly across from the entrance to the conservation area is a flat field with a nice big zoning sign; which means construction and development are coming soon. More houses? Shopping mall? There is a Tim Hortons (coffee chain) about 60 seconds down the road from the entrance already. To the north are some housing deveopments with hundreds of newer homes. The conservation area is protected, of course, but as more and more humans are drawn in... what will the animals do? Adapt? Move on? If so, to where? They are surrounded by housing developments, strip malls, main roads and one big highway.

So, while I enjoyed myself greatly with all that nature had to offer on this day; seeing that sign on the way into the park kept a bit of the grim reality in the GTA as it swells above capacity with humans and the need for more homes, more Walmarts, more chain restaurants and so on.

Sometimes, I am not very proud of the human race...