Although the Niagara region was overcast, at 1.30am I was strutting down the street bundled in my down layers ready to witness my first luna eclipse and it was my birthday. Alas, the cloud cover allowed me to go back to bed. The following morning, friends with clearer skies described the stunning scene as the moon passed through the shadow of the earth and lighting up in the richest orange and deepest reds. I wonder what the birds think of all this?
Birds have been the focus of our week as the Christmas bird count took place and Win, Dean and I took part. From 8.30am until 4.30pm on Dec the 19th, we searched for birds in our designated area, counting them as we went. In a rural area just out of Saint Catharines, we curised the back roads of quaint farmlands observing carefully the pastures where we discovered Northern Harrier Hawks in search of prey. We were stunned when we noticed over 1000 Snow Buntings in a nearby field, grooming themselves and resting after what could have been a fairly long flight. Perhaps they were the ones we were viewing in Churchill Manitoba. Yellow Rumped Warblers was another classic find and between us, there was often much excitement within the car. The wind was kind to us and never picked up and what snow fell, did so subterly, causing no interruption while we went about our task.
| A curious (hungry) Chickadee - Photo by Win Laar |
The weeks are flying by as we get closer to Christmas. The snow cover is lingering making it pretty certain that it will be a white Christmas. Infact for the first time in 17 years, I really feel that I am in Canada. Having lived only on Vancouver Island where the climate is rather mild and snow down at sea level is fairly rare, the mornings where I have shovelled snow from the driveway here in Niagara, and having to wear layer after layer just to go out and check the mailbox....this is truely Canada. On Dec 24th we will drive 6 hours NW to North Bay where we will spend Christmas with Deans sister and her family. Another part of Ontario I look forward to exploring.
| Before reaching the falls, admiring a rainbow - photo by Win Laar |
On the presentation side, I have recently confirmed a booking in Toronto on January the 10th for the Ontario Ornathological club, connected with the Royal Ontario Museum. Word of mouth is working.
Well dear friends, family and followers - I do wish you all the best for the festive season. Stay safe, have a whole lot of fun and peace to you and your families.
Hayls and Dean
No comments:
Post a Comment