Busy days ahead for me but hopefully I will get some time in with the wild ones to share about soon.
I want to thank everyone who comes to read my scribes, and occasionally throw a comment back. Cheers to you all!
December 22, 2017
Happy Holidays!
I was hoping to blog one more time before the holiday season came upon us, and I guess in a way I am. I just want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have a happy and safe holiday season no matter how you spend it, doing whatever you love to do and who with... human and/or animal.
Busy days ahead for me but hopefully I will get some time in with the wild ones to share about soon.
I want to thank everyone who comes to read my scribes, and occasionally throw a comment back. Cheers to you all!
Busy days ahead for me but hopefully I will get some time in with the wild ones to share about soon.
I want to thank everyone who comes to read my scribes, and occasionally throw a comment back. Cheers to you all!
December 14, 2017
Winter Wonderland
Hey, we got our first snowfall of the season earlier this week. Not a lot but enough to make things pretty for a few days. I spent some time the morning of the snow, watching the birds and took a few photos.
For starts, the holly bush.
That is one plant to be added for anyone with a decent sized backyard. Just make sure you get both a male and female plant if you want berries on the female. This bush has fed a few Robins, Cedar Waxwings and once even a Hermit Thrush late in November of 2016. But the one bird that returns to it year after year (for a few years now) is a Northern Mockingbird. We seldom see this species of bird in our backyard outside of the winter months. We participate in Project Feeder Watch for Bird Studies Canada and love being able to add this bird to our count days.
The holly bushes have also provided a great hiding place for the smaller birds when the Hawks come in. I watched a Cooper's Hawk walk circles around the bush one morning, looking for it's next meal. The House Sparrows sat still and eventually the Hawk left to hunt elsewhere.
Last week I was out for a walk and noticed a fallen Sumac tree. I decided to clip some of the branches and bring home the berry buds to place in our backyard. This has been a hit with some of the birds. First it was Starlings, lots of them at times.
More recently the Juncos.
This fall I planted a couple sumacs. I've seen Bluebirds, Robins and Red-bellied Woodpeckers loving the sumac berries during the winter elsewhere so hopefully somewhere down the road, we may encounter some new birds stopping in here. Yes I am aware this plant spreads very fast and I will stay on top of that.
It's funny how many non-birder friends ask me why this Woodpecker is called a Red-bellied and not a Red-headed.
Robin from last winter on a sumac near our home.
We will always have a few bird feeders out back but our goal is make the yard more natural and wildlife friendly. The holly and the sumacs are a great start, especially for our own winter wonderland. Angie blogged about us picking up a free Service Berry tree a few weeks ago.
If you have any suggestions on what else we should add to our yard, what you have planted or grow at your home, feel free to tell me in the comments.
Til next time, keep warm and enjoy what this frosty season has to offer us!
For starts, the holly bush.
That is one plant to be added for anyone with a decent sized backyard. Just make sure you get both a male and female plant if you want berries on the female. This bush has fed a few Robins, Cedar Waxwings and once even a Hermit Thrush late in November of 2016. But the one bird that returns to it year after year (for a few years now) is a Northern Mockingbird. We seldom see this species of bird in our backyard outside of the winter months. We participate in Project Feeder Watch for Bird Studies Canada and love being able to add this bird to our count days.
The holly bushes have also provided a great hiding place for the smaller birds when the Hawks come in. I watched a Cooper's Hawk walk circles around the bush one morning, looking for it's next meal. The House Sparrows sat still and eventually the Hawk left to hunt elsewhere.
Last week I was out for a walk and noticed a fallen Sumac tree. I decided to clip some of the branches and bring home the berry buds to place in our backyard. This has been a hit with some of the birds. First it was Starlings, lots of them at times.
More recently the Juncos.
This fall I planted a couple sumacs. I've seen Bluebirds, Robins and Red-bellied Woodpeckers loving the sumac berries during the winter elsewhere so hopefully somewhere down the road, we may encounter some new birds stopping in here. Yes I am aware this plant spreads very fast and I will stay on top of that.
It's funny how many non-birder friends ask me why this Woodpecker is called a Red-bellied and not a Red-headed.
Robin from last winter on a sumac near our home.
We will always have a few bird feeders out back but our goal is make the yard more natural and wildlife friendly. The holly and the sumacs are a great start, especially for our own winter wonderland. Angie blogged about us picking up a free Service Berry tree a few weeks ago.
If you have any suggestions on what else we should add to our yard, what you have planted or grow at your home, feel free to tell me in the comments.
Til next time, keep warm and enjoy what this frosty season has to offer us!
December 6, 2017
Autumn Owls!
Tis the season to be "OWLY"! I've had a few species sightings the last month and a bit, but the one earlier this week is the best by far because it was a total surprise.
As December arrived, I began my scoping for Snowy Owls on my drive home from work at night. Every year through the winter I am treated to sporadic sights of Snowys along the stretch of the 401 that I drive. On the night of December 4th I noticed a large dark bird atop a hydro pole and at first I thought it was a heavily barred Snowy. I pull the truck over for a better view and to my surprise and delight it was a Great Horned Owl! I should note I was not even on the 401 yet. I don't advise anyone stopping their vehicle on a major highway to view any wildlife.
I had my camera with me this night and tried for a couple record shots. I used the street lamps as my light source. I tweaked my camera's manual settings and then with a little editing at home on the computer, I managed to get this to share with whoever may be reading this blog.
I left the bird after a few minutes and continued my drive home. I ended up spotting a Snowy Owl a few kilometres down the road but there was no way I could stop anywhere for a night shot.
I recently saw a Snowy Owl in a lake park. A nice day time view. This photo is heavily cropped as it was on a dock out in the marina.
I've also spotted a few Long-eared Owls this fall.
I had a Screech Owl one evening about a month ago. I should look back and see if I shared him or not in a previous blog.
After the other evening's Great Horned and Snowy Owl sightings, I was quite tempted to go for a little Screech Owl hunt locally. If it wasn't raining, I just might have. An Owl hat trick would have been epic!
Oh, there was a Northern Saw-whet Owl as well. I had a private invite to see this sweet little bird, far from public eye. I chose not to share on social media since these birds gather a lot of interest. It's always nice to see them and hopefully I spot one again through the rapidly approaching winter, especially with Angie since these Owls make her giggle and snort with joy.
I've also encountered a couple Short-eared Owls. Unfortunately it was much too dark to get a photo of the two birds flying about a field. I have not been able to relocate them since, so they probably have moved on.
This is a good start to the season and I really hope to spot a few more species in the coming months. I'd love to get a decent photograph of a Short-eared Owl one day too. That's one Owl I don't feel I have gotten a photo of that I really like. While it's never about the photos with me as I love the thrill of finding them on my own or with friends; getting a good photo once in a while sure doesn't hurt.
I encourage you to brave the chilly days ahead and just go for a walk, take paths less traveled, listen to the other birds and you might find an Owl on your own.
P.S. this was not one of my longer blogs, and if you happen to be one of the few who read them right to the end and would like a little more to read, please check out Angie's latest blog about our trip to The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada in Guelph, Ontario.
As December arrived, I began my scoping for Snowy Owls on my drive home from work at night. Every year through the winter I am treated to sporadic sights of Snowys along the stretch of the 401 that I drive. On the night of December 4th I noticed a large dark bird atop a hydro pole and at first I thought it was a heavily barred Snowy. I pull the truck over for a better view and to my surprise and delight it was a Great Horned Owl! I should note I was not even on the 401 yet. I don't advise anyone stopping their vehicle on a major highway to view any wildlife.
I had my camera with me this night and tried for a couple record shots. I used the street lamps as my light source. I tweaked my camera's manual settings and then with a little editing at home on the computer, I managed to get this to share with whoever may be reading this blog.
I left the bird after a few minutes and continued my drive home. I ended up spotting a Snowy Owl a few kilometres down the road but there was no way I could stop anywhere for a night shot.
I recently saw a Snowy Owl in a lake park. A nice day time view. This photo is heavily cropped as it was on a dock out in the marina.
I've also spotted a few Long-eared Owls this fall.
I had a Screech Owl one evening about a month ago. I should look back and see if I shared him or not in a previous blog.
After the other evening's Great Horned and Snowy Owl sightings, I was quite tempted to go for a little Screech Owl hunt locally. If it wasn't raining, I just might have. An Owl hat trick would have been epic!
Oh, there was a Northern Saw-whet Owl as well. I had a private invite to see this sweet little bird, far from public eye. I chose not to share on social media since these birds gather a lot of interest. It's always nice to see them and hopefully I spot one again through the rapidly approaching winter, especially with Angie since these Owls make her giggle and snort with joy.
I've also encountered a couple Short-eared Owls. Unfortunately it was much too dark to get a photo of the two birds flying about a field. I have not been able to relocate them since, so they probably have moved on.
This is a good start to the season and I really hope to spot a few more species in the coming months. I'd love to get a decent photograph of a Short-eared Owl one day too. That's one Owl I don't feel I have gotten a photo of that I really like. While it's never about the photos with me as I love the thrill of finding them on my own or with friends; getting a good photo once in a while sure doesn't hurt.
I encourage you to brave the chilly days ahead and just go for a walk, take paths less traveled, listen to the other birds and you might find an Owl on your own.
P.S. this was not one of my longer blogs, and if you happen to be one of the few who read them right to the end and would like a little more to read, please check out Angie's latest blog about our trip to The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada in Guelph, Ontario.
November 15, 2017
Farewell to the King
On Friday August 4th, shortly after 3 pm, I was outside feeding my bestest Pigeon pal Pierre. He had been a blessing to me the last couple weeks while I had been off after my accident (I broke a couple ribs after falling 8 ft from the back part of the roof). It was a physically painful and mind numbing boring time, I welcomed all the beautiful backyard beasts that distracted me, especially Pierre. Funny, the day of my fall was the official 5 year anniversary for Pierre coming to visit.
As I fed him, I watched the sky get dark, the winds pick up and we both knew some bad weather was rolling in. Just a typical Summer thunderstorm, nothing different than what we've encountered many times through the past.
I could tell Pierre was getting ready to leave me, taking shelter before the storm hit us. I wished for him to be safe and I would see him later. Off he flew. Little did I know that would be the last time I would see him.
Here we are about three and a half months later, and still no sighting. He's had some long disappearances in the past but even from the first weekend away this time, it felt different. None of the others in his flock were missing, even the missus was here daily. Of course I still looked out for him day after day, week after week, despite my gut telling me he wasn't coming back. To this day, I still scan the Pigeons and a couple times my heart skipped a beat when I thought I saw him out there.
Pretty much all my hope has faded.
I really don't want to do this blog. In a way I'm not ready for it. I always knew the day would come but who ever expects such things? Pierre does deserve a tribute.
I'm sure through his life elsewhere he wasn't thought about a whole lot by people who passed him by. Maybe someone stopped and looked, thinking "man, that is one fat Pigeon!"
It would be nice to think a few thought he was rather handsome.
I like to think he had a friend or two elsewhere in his travels. Someone must have befriended him since he was "people friendly" from the get go. The first day he showed up, he walked the length of the backyard, hopped up the deck steps, walked across the deck to where Angie and I sat. He looked up at us. Then he flew up into Angie's lap like he was introducing himself. Then he flew into mine. Little did either of us know that he would make such an impact on our backyard and my life.
Pierre was not just a Pigeon. Pierre was my friend. We had some great bonding moments over the years. He trusted me. The time I helped him with the thread around his foot, how I took him into the house and then up to Toronto Wildlife Centre certainly is testimony to that. It wasn't always about getting a feed from me.
I will miss the dog days of Summer and us just hanging out.
I will miss the winter mornings where my coffee gets cold as I rush out there to help him get through another frosty day.
I will just miss him.
He may have been a part of a flock, but to me he was a stand out bird.
Sometimes I thought to myself that I should keep one of the sticks he brought to me over the years.
It has been quite a ride with him. My sharing our life together on social media had positive and negative effects. I know he changed the feelings in some about Pigeons, slowly realizing that they are personable creatures. I listened to the idiots who asked me again and again if he shit on me. Calling him a flying rat and calling his kind disease-filled pests. I figured out the best line to say to those who still opposed this friendship... "I always know where I stand with a Pigeon". Honestly, that line works because it is very true. I was once asked if I would catch him and sell him to this person for $20. They were serious, putting a bill in my hand, wanting to take him home as a pet. That person got a big "fuck you!" What I really liked was people, out of the blue, people I never expected to hear say such nice things about my bond with him. They were genuine, thinking it was pretty cool to have this bird come day after day to visit.
Pierre was King around here. He knew it too. I find a lot of Pigeons walk around like they are king shit but Pierre definitely was all that, and a bag of chips.
There's no point in talking about the what may have happened to him. There's a number of possibilities but why even think about any of them? It's better for me and those who admired him to think about the good times, hold on to those special memories.
All I can say is I am grateful he flew into my life. He changed me for the better. I never hated Pigeons but I wasn't big on them over the years when I first started my backyard bird feeding. It's funny to read some of my rants on this bird species in Facebook memories. I was rejoicing mornings where none of those pains in the ass were around. It's laughable now. In the memories though, I still find moments where I had compassion towards them and helped a Pigeon or two despite my frustrations at their antics.
Pierre opened my mind and heart to his kind. As many of you know, I have made a number of friends because of him. Thanks for that my beautiful boy!
I wish for another time to look him in the eye.
One more photo.
Anyway, he will forever be in my heart and my memories. I'm sure some of you will take a moment to think about him, all the pictures and posts over the last 5 years; or if you are one of the few who actually got to meet him.
If for some chance he does show up at the back door again, you all will read about it here. If I can pick my jaw up from the floor.
Adding this as it's wonderfully overwhelming, the comforting words by friends and fans of Pierre after I posted this blog on my Facebook page. He touched a lot of hearts in people who never met him.
What a great tribute to a great bird! Well done Rob, I'm sure Pierre would love it and be strutting around telling everyone that 'he's' your favorite :)
You are one special man and Pierre is one special bird.
You really did a great job with your buddy. He was a beautiful bird.
Your best blog yet Rob - I loved it but feel so sad for your families loss . You certainly changed my outlook on pigeons- always think of yours when I see one !!
Thanks everyone. I will raise my glass to him tonight. :)
You made me cry. What a wonderful tribute. Pierre was so lucky to have you in his life. Hugs to you....
He's lucky to have known you. And there's always hope...
Lovely tribute, so sorry to hear.
It won't be the same coming online and not seeing you & Pierre. Am clinging onto hope that he may return. Thanks for sharing this remarkable bond with us.
Cheers to Pierre on this Whiskey Wednesday . I don't see many Pigeons out my way but when we go to a Blue Jays Ballgame we sit and eat our hotdogs outside the dome and the local pigeons always get tossed a few pieces of bun.
I certainly appreciate them more after reading your blogs.
Coincidentally, before reading your post, Barbara, I finished off my post the way you started yours.
I cant imagine your sorrow at his loss. I'm holding out hope though with fingers crossed he returns. ❤ Pierre
Your story touches my heart, Rob <3 What a beautiful tribute to a very special (and handsome) fellow!
Oh how I wish I could see your jaw hit the floor.... this was loving tribute to the King of pigeons. Although we love the Jerseys, there is only one Pierre.
You made Pierre a real creature( bird) with a personality! I'm sad he is not in your life right now but I'm being optimistic!! You were blessed to have him in your life ❤️
Beautiful tribute to your pal Pierre. I really hope he does return.
OMGosh ... what a truly loving, heartfelt blog/tribute to your wonderful pal, Pierre. I still have tears. Through all of your posts and photos, I too, like many others, have learned to appreciate a bird that many people look down on as ordinary or even as a pest. They are full of character and personality, as individual too in their looks from each other as people are. I was also dreading the day that you came to the realization that he probably wasn't coming back. He certainly had a good long life for a pigeon, probably made even longer and more fulfilled from his long-standing friendship with you and Angie. Of course, one can always hope for that one miracle but rest assured that through you, he has struck a real chord of appreciation and respect with bird lovers everywhere. Cheers to Pierre on this poignant Whiskey Wednesday. RIP
So sorry Rob 😞
oh no Pierre has left Bloor street,sorry for your loss of a fine-feathered friend hugs
Once again, thank you, to everyone for taking a moment out and sending some kind and comforting words. I might actually copy/paste these to the blog for any future readers to see how he touched others over the years.
Got the whisky in hand. Cheers to all of you!
So sorry this chapter in your life has seemingly come to a close. Pierre's life lessons will live on.
Cheers Pierre and Rob with a toast of white owl!!
What a beautiful tribute. I’m sorry for you and Angie. I really do hope he’s well and just off on another adventure!
Lovely tribute. Sorry to hear about Pierre.
What a wonderful tribute to him!
An amazing bird indeed.
He was/is a very handsome bird and I have enjoyed reading all your posts about him.
Wonderful tribute to Pierre, thank you so much for sharing your journey with him with all of us!
Thanks for sharing this incredible relationship.
So sorry for your loss Rob. Pierre was so handsome and we loved reading about him. I too have a love for pigeons. I sometimes just sit in parking lots and take pictures while they interact. They really do have personalities and you did your best to show Pierre's.
Pierre was legendary! A Thirsty Thursday Cheers to Pierre!
So sad... But what a beautiful tribute.
Thanks for sharing Rob, and condolences to you and Angie on the loss of this special relationship.
Cheers Pierre
Beautiful tribute. Such a handsome little guy.
All of pigeonkind owe a lot to Pierre, who I'm sure has helped change the minds of many people about pigeons after reading about your adventures together.
Legend.
We will be raising a glass/tumbler of 40 Creek in his honour.
As I fed him, I watched the sky get dark, the winds pick up and we both knew some bad weather was rolling in. Just a typical Summer thunderstorm, nothing different than what we've encountered many times through the past.
I could tell Pierre was getting ready to leave me, taking shelter before the storm hit us. I wished for him to be safe and I would see him later. Off he flew. Little did I know that would be the last time I would see him.
Here we are about three and a half months later, and still no sighting. He's had some long disappearances in the past but even from the first weekend away this time, it felt different. None of the others in his flock were missing, even the missus was here daily. Of course I still looked out for him day after day, week after week, despite my gut telling me he wasn't coming back. To this day, I still scan the Pigeons and a couple times my heart skipped a beat when I thought I saw him out there.
Pretty much all my hope has faded.
I really don't want to do this blog. In a way I'm not ready for it. I always knew the day would come but who ever expects such things? Pierre does deserve a tribute.
I'm sure through his life elsewhere he wasn't thought about a whole lot by people who passed him by. Maybe someone stopped and looked, thinking "man, that is one fat Pigeon!"
It would be nice to think a few thought he was rather handsome.
I like to think he had a friend or two elsewhere in his travels. Someone must have befriended him since he was "people friendly" from the get go. The first day he showed up, he walked the length of the backyard, hopped up the deck steps, walked across the deck to where Angie and I sat. He looked up at us. Then he flew up into Angie's lap like he was introducing himself. Then he flew into mine. Little did either of us know that he would make such an impact on our backyard and my life.
Pierre was not just a Pigeon. Pierre was my friend. We had some great bonding moments over the years. He trusted me. The time I helped him with the thread around his foot, how I took him into the house and then up to Toronto Wildlife Centre certainly is testimony to that. It wasn't always about getting a feed from me.
I will miss the dog days of Summer and us just hanging out.
I will miss the winter mornings where my coffee gets cold as I rush out there to help him get through another frosty day.
I will just miss him.
He may have been a part of a flock, but to me he was a stand out bird.
Sometimes I thought to myself that I should keep one of the sticks he brought to me over the years.
It has been quite a ride with him. My sharing our life together on social media had positive and negative effects. I know he changed the feelings in some about Pigeons, slowly realizing that they are personable creatures. I listened to the idiots who asked me again and again if he shit on me. Calling him a flying rat and calling his kind disease-filled pests. I figured out the best line to say to those who still opposed this friendship... "I always know where I stand with a Pigeon". Honestly, that line works because it is very true. I was once asked if I would catch him and sell him to this person for $20. They were serious, putting a bill in my hand, wanting to take him home as a pet. That person got a big "fuck you!" What I really liked was people, out of the blue, people I never expected to hear say such nice things about my bond with him. They were genuine, thinking it was pretty cool to have this bird come day after day to visit.
Pierre was King around here. He knew it too. I find a lot of Pigeons walk around like they are king shit but Pierre definitely was all that, and a bag of chips.
There's no point in talking about the what may have happened to him. There's a number of possibilities but why even think about any of them? It's better for me and those who admired him to think about the good times, hold on to those special memories.
All I can say is I am grateful he flew into my life. He changed me for the better. I never hated Pigeons but I wasn't big on them over the years when I first started my backyard bird feeding. It's funny to read some of my rants on this bird species in Facebook memories. I was rejoicing mornings where none of those pains in the ass were around. It's laughable now. In the memories though, I still find moments where I had compassion towards them and helped a Pigeon or two despite my frustrations at their antics.
Pierre opened my mind and heart to his kind. As many of you know, I have made a number of friends because of him. Thanks for that my beautiful boy!
I wish for another time to look him in the eye.
One more photo.
Anyway, he will forever be in my heart and my memories. I'm sure some of you will take a moment to think about him, all the pictures and posts over the last 5 years; or if you are one of the few who actually got to meet him.
If for some chance he does show up at the back door again, you all will read about it here. If I can pick my jaw up from the floor.
Adding this as it's wonderfully overwhelming, the comforting words by friends and fans of Pierre after I posted this blog on my Facebook page. He touched a lot of hearts in people who never met him.
What a great tribute to a great bird! Well done Rob, I'm sure Pierre would love it and be strutting around telling everyone that 'he's' your favorite :)
You are one special man and Pierre is one special bird.
You really did a great job with your buddy. He was a beautiful bird.
Your best blog yet Rob - I loved it but feel so sad for your families loss . You certainly changed my outlook on pigeons- always think of yours when I see one !!
Thanks everyone. I will raise my glass to him tonight. :)
You made me cry. What a wonderful tribute. Pierre was so lucky to have you in his life. Hugs to you....
He's lucky to have known you. And there's always hope...
Lovely tribute, so sorry to hear.
It won't be the same coming online and not seeing you & Pierre. Am clinging onto hope that he may return. Thanks for sharing this remarkable bond with us.
Cheers to Pierre on this Whiskey Wednesday . I don't see many Pigeons out my way but when we go to a Blue Jays Ballgame we sit and eat our hotdogs outside the dome and the local pigeons always get tossed a few pieces of bun.
I certainly appreciate them more after reading your blogs.
Coincidentally, before reading your post, Barbara, I finished off my post the way you started yours.
I cant imagine your sorrow at his loss. I'm holding out hope though with fingers crossed he returns. ❤ Pierre
Your story touches my heart, Rob <3 What a beautiful tribute to a very special (and handsome) fellow!
Oh how I wish I could see your jaw hit the floor.... this was loving tribute to the King of pigeons. Although we love the Jerseys, there is only one Pierre.
You made Pierre a real creature( bird) with a personality! I'm sad he is not in your life right now but I'm being optimistic!! You were blessed to have him in your life ❤️
Beautiful tribute to your pal Pierre. I really hope he does return.
OMGosh ... what a truly loving, heartfelt blog/tribute to your wonderful pal, Pierre. I still have tears. Through all of your posts and photos, I too, like many others, have learned to appreciate a bird that many people look down on as ordinary or even as a pest. They are full of character and personality, as individual too in their looks from each other as people are. I was also dreading the day that you came to the realization that he probably wasn't coming back. He certainly had a good long life for a pigeon, probably made even longer and more fulfilled from his long-standing friendship with you and Angie. Of course, one can always hope for that one miracle but rest assured that through you, he has struck a real chord of appreciation and respect with bird lovers everywhere. Cheers to Pierre on this poignant Whiskey Wednesday. RIP
So sorry Rob 😞
oh no Pierre has left Bloor street,sorry for your loss of a fine-feathered friend hugs
Once again, thank you, to everyone for taking a moment out and sending some kind and comforting words. I might actually copy/paste these to the blog for any future readers to see how he touched others over the years.
Got the whisky in hand. Cheers to all of you!
So sorry this chapter in your life has seemingly come to a close. Pierre's life lessons will live on.
Cheers Pierre and Rob with a toast of white owl!!
What a beautiful tribute. I’m sorry for you and Angie. I really do hope he’s well and just off on another adventure!
Lovely tribute. Sorry to hear about Pierre.
What a wonderful tribute to him!
An amazing bird indeed.
He was/is a very handsome bird and I have enjoyed reading all your posts about him.
Wonderful tribute to Pierre, thank you so much for sharing your journey with him with all of us!
Thanks for sharing this incredible relationship.
So sorry for your loss Rob. Pierre was so handsome and we loved reading about him. I too have a love for pigeons. I sometimes just sit in parking lots and take pictures while they interact. They really do have personalities and you did your best to show Pierre's.
Pierre was legendary! A Thirsty Thursday Cheers to Pierre!
So sad... But what a beautiful tribute.
Thanks for sharing Rob, and condolences to you and Angie on the loss of this special relationship.
Cheers Pierre
Beautiful tribute. Such a handsome little guy.
All of pigeonkind owe a lot to Pierre, who I'm sure has helped change the minds of many people about pigeons after reading about your adventures together.
Legend.
We will be raising a glass/tumbler of 40 Creek in his honour.
November 7, 2017
Nest Box Results
Some of you know about my other blog, The Toronto Nest Blog; but I think many of you do not, or perhaps just don't follow it. I look at the views of my blogs here compared to the nest blog and the difference is huge. Not that I need more views; I'm not that much of an attention whore. But the nest box monitoring is important to me.
The whole Bluebird saga was one helluva story and the fact I had 2 fledged in the end is nothing short of a miracle. It shows the determination of a male Eastern Bluebird, a father to these young birds, who never gave up despite 3 eggs not hatching and losing his mate in the final days before the young left the nest.
It was not for the faint of heart. Hell, even I was full of jittery nerves throughout. If you missed it, I suggest you put the kettle on and scroll through my nest blog. I tried to make them as brief as possible, mainly because I'm having issues with the blog's set-up and the paragraphs are not separating.
Anyway, I wanted to post my results here because this is important to me. I have shown what a difference we can make if we take the time out to do a little more for our feathered friends. Yes it is work, but it is good work. I put the miles on my feet as I travel through the fields looking after these boxes. Walking is good for every human being and it's something not to be taken for granted. Every day you can get yourself out of bed on your own, breathe the air on your own, feed, dress and wash yourself is a good day. Try to never take that for granted, even though we all do as we go through life, working, paying bills and bitching about all the insignificant things.
Sorry, getting off topic...
Okay, here are the results from the 2017 season.
Through 16 Tree Swallow nests, 81 young birds successfully fledged.
The previous year, being my first year out, there were 7 nests and just over 30 young birds fledged.
How's that for helping some birds?
I'm hoping for the return of the Bluebirds next year, and a better season. I will be more prepared for it.
The nest season is long over but things are happening throughout, preparing for 2018. I will share all in the coming months. Stay tuned!
The whole Bluebird saga was one helluva story and the fact I had 2 fledged in the end is nothing short of a miracle. It shows the determination of a male Eastern Bluebird, a father to these young birds, who never gave up despite 3 eggs not hatching and losing his mate in the final days before the young left the nest.
It was not for the faint of heart. Hell, even I was full of jittery nerves throughout. If you missed it, I suggest you put the kettle on and scroll through my nest blog. I tried to make them as brief as possible, mainly because I'm having issues with the blog's set-up and the paragraphs are not separating.
Anyway, I wanted to post my results here because this is important to me. I have shown what a difference we can make if we take the time out to do a little more for our feathered friends. Yes it is work, but it is good work. I put the miles on my feet as I travel through the fields looking after these boxes. Walking is good for every human being and it's something not to be taken for granted. Every day you can get yourself out of bed on your own, breathe the air on your own, feed, dress and wash yourself is a good day. Try to never take that for granted, even though we all do as we go through life, working, paying bills and bitching about all the insignificant things.
Sorry, getting off topic...
Okay, here are the results from the 2017 season.
Through 16 Tree Swallow nests, 81 young birds successfully fledged.
The previous year, being my first year out, there were 7 nests and just over 30 young birds fledged.
How's that for helping some birds?
I'm hoping for the return of the Bluebirds next year, and a better season. I will be more prepared for it.
The nest season is long over but things are happening throughout, preparing for 2018. I will share all in the coming months. Stay tuned!
October 31, 2017
Wild Week
We were on vacation a couple weeks ago, spent a few days up north and what a stellar week to be off weather wise. Not much story telling here but thought I would share some photographic moments with you.
It's not very often that I see Fox in my travels so I always embrace the moment.
Still lots of migrating birds in the area. We saw Brown Creepers in almost every place we went, including our backyard in the tail end of our holiday. They can be tough to spot if you don't catch the movement of one.
Always a treat to see and feed the Gray Jays of Algonquin Park. This one in particular has some excited because he does not have any leg bands like you see on the Gray Jays in Algonquin. I've heard of people actually photoshopping out the leg bands on these birds in their photos. Personally, I would never do that. Those bands individualize the birds and tell a story about the history of that bird. But that's just me. Here is a 20 second video of the moment.
I love our backyard but it sure is nice to get out of the city for a few days and be around this kind of scenery.
I call this "Encroaching Sprawl".
We found the remnants of an old cabin in the woods.
Address is #13
I haven't a clue what this is which was very near the cabin. My dark imagination begs to be released and share it's 2 cents.
You damn right I wanted to get a photo at this forgotten place.
To me, it was strange to still see Butterflies at this time of year, like this Painted Lady on the beach.
But seeing Dark-eyed Juncos popping up in our travels was a reminder this amazing weather will not last.
Another very regular sighting were the White-throated Sparrows. If we could not see them, we certainly could hear them in our waking moment. These birds are still appearing daily in our backyard.
With our vacation week almost over, now being back home, we continued with some outdoor walks and taking in the sights around us; some of which took in the sights of us too.
Eastern Phoebe
Always nice to spot a Sapsucker as it's not a commonly seen bird for either of us.
Never a day passed without a Skunk sighting at home.
Late October for me begins the season of night Owling once again. We managed to find a couple Screech Owls near our home.
Merry thinks she can pull off a good Owl look herself.
It was a great week off. There was never a mission to see anything. All we wanted to do was be outside and enjoy the natural world around us. It does wonders for the soul.
It's not very often that I see Fox in my travels so I always embrace the moment.
Still lots of migrating birds in the area. We saw Brown Creepers in almost every place we went, including our backyard in the tail end of our holiday. They can be tough to spot if you don't catch the movement of one.
Always a treat to see and feed the Gray Jays of Algonquin Park. This one in particular has some excited because he does not have any leg bands like you see on the Gray Jays in Algonquin. I've heard of people actually photoshopping out the leg bands on these birds in their photos. Personally, I would never do that. Those bands individualize the birds and tell a story about the history of that bird. But that's just me. Here is a 20 second video of the moment.
I love our backyard but it sure is nice to get out of the city for a few days and be around this kind of scenery.
I call this "Encroaching Sprawl".
We found the remnants of an old cabin in the woods.
Address is #13
I haven't a clue what this is which was very near the cabin. My dark imagination begs to be released and share it's 2 cents.
You damn right I wanted to get a photo at this forgotten place.
To me, it was strange to still see Butterflies at this time of year, like this Painted Lady on the beach.
But seeing Dark-eyed Juncos popping up in our travels was a reminder this amazing weather will not last.
Another very regular sighting were the White-throated Sparrows. If we could not see them, we certainly could hear them in our waking moment. These birds are still appearing daily in our backyard.
With our vacation week almost over, now being back home, we continued with some outdoor walks and taking in the sights around us; some of which took in the sights of us too.
Eastern Phoebe
Always nice to spot a Sapsucker as it's not a commonly seen bird for either of us.
Never a day passed without a Skunk sighting at home.
Late October for me begins the season of night Owling once again. We managed to find a couple Screech Owls near our home.
Merry thinks she can pull off a good Owl look herself.
It was a great week off. There was never a mission to see anything. All we wanted to do was be outside and enjoy the natural world around us. It does wonders for the soul.
