
Ultimate confidenceUltimate TrustUltimate Burden
Secrets
A beautiful picture of two little finches from Mark Wade at Photographic, Impressionistic, Illusionistic. To see more of Mark’s photos, please click the link above.

Ultimate confidenceUltimate TrustUltimate Burden
Secrets
A beautiful picture of two little finches from Mark Wade at Photographic, Impressionistic, Illusionistic. To see more of Mark’s photos, please click the link above.
There are lots of birds around now and they are all very busy. I spotted this northern flicker who had found something buggy to eat between the pavers on a footpath.

I think she has some hatchlings – she doesn’t have the distinctive red flashes which indicate a male flicker – because I could hear little cheepings from above my head.

I tried to spot the nest but no luck; it was definitely nearby though because I saw the male flying back and forth between the tree and another area of eating interest a bit further away.

Those specialised beaks are sharp, very pointed and an especially good tool for digging yummy bugs out of trees and from between pavers, too. It’s great that this flicker nest is so well hidden; I hope this little family does well.
Happy Wednesday.
Photographing the black swan in the lake with the reflection of a white sky could’ve meant white washed water if we were to expose for the swan. …
Black Turbulence
A gorgeous swan photo from Eleanor Chua at Helluva Times. Please click the link above to see more of her beautiful photos.
I think the Canada geese are getting ready to nest.

The physical differences between females and males is quite subtle, but so are the behaviours. The males are slightly larger and have slightly larger necks, but I wouldn’t put money on being able to pick a male from a female.

Canada geese mate for life and are very much equal partners, taking turns guarding, sitting on the nest and feeding the little ones. In the case of the pair above, one was guarding while the other was eating, but I couldn’t tell which was which. One thing I could tell though was that the guarding goose was giving me the stinkeye!

I’m sure that nesting is starting soon because instead of maintaining their tight flock as they usually do, the couples have somewhat separated themselves from each other. Nevertheless they still tend not to stray too far. There were two other couples nearby and all three were clearly checking in with one another.

The best part is that soon there will be little ones around and it’s always so much fun to watch them grow.
I’ve been ill with flu but am on the mend now and was finally able to get out for a walk; I was rewarded with these geese sightings. Although it’s not official yet, Happy Spring.
The pond that the ducks have been inhabiting all winter is shrinking and shrinking.

If it wasn’t for the fountain, it would be completely closed and the ducks would be hunting for a place to swim and forage as there’s now a lot of ice around the lake edges.

But there’s relief coming since if all goes as predicted, we are supposed to be climbing well above freezing over the next few days. It won’t be long now, duckies!
Happy Saturday.

This big hornbill is apparently listed in the IUCN Red List as “Vulnerable” as it’s threatened by hunting, habitat fragmentation and deforestation.
A Vulnerable Big Bird
A fantastic capture from Jon at Helluva Times. To seen more of his gorgeous nature photography, please click the link above.

When I first took this guy’s picture, I thought he had hurt his wing. It looked like he had maybe torn the top of his wing where it folds against his…
Great Blue Heron
A beautiful heron picture from Anneli at Words from Anneli. Please click the link above to see more of her lovely wildlife photos.
When it becomes more difficult for our local duck flock to find food, we like to help them a bit with some cooked quinoa. Unlike bread, it’s a healthy choice for them. M recently prepared lots of it in individual bags that we can easily distribute to our duckie friends.

Well organised in a freezer drawer, he has very helpfully labelled it “quack.”

Quackers or not, the ducks love it and aren’t shy about gobbling it down!

I wish you a very duckie day. 😊
National Geographic has released its pictures of the year, including this amazing shot of penguins getting ready to follow one of their number into the ocean from an incredibly high ice sheet.

You can see all of National Geographic’s pictures at this link:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/graphics/pictures-of-the-year-2024
Happy Thursday.
Cedar waxwings are native to North America and frequently seen during the summer. Many of them migrate south but quite a few will overwinter in southern British Columbia, especially on Vancouver Island.

It was lovely and unexpected to recently see this pretty bit of brightness.
Happy Tuesday.