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.
This sweet little duck seems to be wondering if there are some yummy bugs hiding under those leaves.
She wouldn’t be wrong since the rain has brought out quite a few worms. (I’m not including a worm photo because, well, I don’t want to.)
I hope she found some good ones but I wasn’t going to stick around to watch her eat lunch. I’m not really a fan of squishy things. Ugh.
Happy Wednesday.
I had heard that swans will overwinter in the Okanagan Valley but I had never seen them here before, either in the summer or the winter. I was happy to spot this little family a few days ago. They seem to be two parents with their juvenile or cygnet.
All that flying means that they have to do some serious grooming. I can hear their conversation now!
Impatient swan: I’ll guard, you two get cleaned up!
Impatient Swan: Okay, you look clean now. Time to go!
Calm Swan: But darling, we’re swans. You know how important it is for us to maintain our image.
Impatient Swan: Okay, but you two look great. Let’s get going before all those Canada geese arrive. They’re so grumpy and mean and they always travel in gangs.
Calm Swan: Darling, you need a break. You’re the grumpy one, you know. Don’t worry about those geese. After all, they’ll never look as good as us. I’ll take point and you can rest your feathers.
Impatient Swan: Okay, I do feel tired. It’ll be good to rest and settle in for a while. How do I look?
Happy Tuesday!
Who says that it’s only birds of a feather that flock together? You can definitely flock with scales, too …
We have some trouble communicating but we still understand each other …
… because when the humans are dispensing food, it’s always a great idea to bring your best friends along to share the wealth. More friends, more food, especially if you look cute and needy, something that’s a bit difficult for a fish …
… but we know that sharing with our underwater, scaled friends is a good thing. They would do the same for us!
Happy Sunday.
During the summer our resident mallard duck flock scatters all over the parks, beaches and gardens. They can be found almost anywhere, especially if there’s a bit of water nearby.
When the sun starts to shine and the days become warmer, they quickly abandon their over-wintering spot in Penticton Creek. Right now, only a few can be found there.
But when it gets colder, they will occupy “Duck Creek” once more, and lots of people – including the city – will make sure they have enough to eat to generate the calories they will need to make it to spring.
Have a duckie day!
That time of the year has come again, when the migratory birds return to their old nesting grounds. New and old birds come by, and some of them …
The House wrens are back in town
I hope you enjoy this lovely post from Christie at 1000 Places and Memories. Please click the link above to read the whole post and to view her pretty wren photos and short videos.
The small community of Wawa, Ontario, is not only a haven for fishing, hiking and winter sports, but is also known for its famous Canada goose statue.
It’s a very appropriate symbol for this town since Wawa takes its name from the Ojibwe word for “wild goose” which is “wewe.”
This 8.5 metre (28 ft) statue was first erected in 1960 but has been replaced a couple of times due to weather damage. This one has been constructed of multiple panels that move a little so that there’s some resilience to the high winter winds.
If you’re driving through northern Ontario it’s definitely fun to stop at this community and take a look at the largest Canada goose ever!
Happy Wednesday.
The hummingbirds and Bullocks oriole share the red hot pokers, but not at the same time. These photos are from another year, as it’s a bit early for…
Red Hot Pokers
I hope you enjoy these stunningly gorgeous captures from Anneli at wordsfromanneli. Please click the link above to see the rest of the photos and to visit her blog.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 