An Owl In The Snow

February 19, 2025

A Barred Owl (Strix varia) showed up as the snow was coming down on this mighty cold morning. It sat there just looking around for perhaps ten minutes before disappearing.

Owls are thought to be nocturnal but that’s not always the case. Barred Owls are often seen during the day in winter. They’re crepuscular, or most active at dawn and dusk.

I enjoy when there is an easy mnemonic for a bird call and this is the case for the Barred Owl. It simply says, “Who cooks for you. Who cooks for you all?”

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After An Absence Of A Few Weeks

February 18, 2025

A bit more than a month ago I saw seven Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) gathered at the birdbath. They were enjoying the water which was not frozen on a very cold day.

Not any since then until today when I caught a quick glimpse of just one. Just checking things out I suppose. Hoping more will show up again soon.

When I’m watching please.

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Winter Tree Identification – Bark!

February 17, 2025

Winter and tree identification leaves me looking at the bark. This is Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), a tree that is quite common here. The tree produces a chemical, juglone, in all its parts.

Juglone creates a toxic reaction in other plants. An example of its effectiveness is at the yoga studio where I hang out. There are perhaps three Black Walnut trees there. Under the trees and in the immediate surrounding area there is only grass, and no other plants or weeds – nothing.

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It’s Frog Time!

February 16, 2025

Loads of big winds today making lots of noise coming through the woods. I was surprised to hear and recognize the familiar, “Clack! Clack! Clack!” despite all the sounds of the wind. That “Clack” sound is the male Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) joining in their mating call. A sound that always surprises me in the middle of winter. Frogs?

Sure enough when I looked out at my tiny pond there they were. Males cruising the surface of the pond, calling.

Wood Frogs are remarkable in that they literally freeze during their hibernation. Even in Alaska where they are the most common amphibian in the state. They choose to hibernate in leaf litter which warms up sooner than ponds where other frogs species hibernate. This allows them to emerge sooner than other frogs, during mid to late winter.

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More Ice Today

February 15, 2025

Today ice on Bluebery bushes

Today another ice day but this time a slow rain with temperatures fluctuating right around 32º. Not too much. Not nearly as exciting.

Ice on Flowering Dogwood February 6th

The ice that knocked out the power on February 6th was much more beautiful. Much more awesome. That’s okay. Perhaps there will be fewer trees damaged this time ’round. And the power will stay on. I hope.

We shall see.

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Eating Habits Of Blue Jays

February 13, 2025

Bluejay

A boisterous, rowdy bird that lets everyone know that it has joined the party. The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata).

Blue Jays have a varied diet of nuts, seeds, berries and small fruits. They will also eat insects, spiders, snails, birds’ eggs, small rodents, frogs, carrion, and baby birds.

At the feeder you can watch them gulp and gulp and gulp down oodles of food. They are actually stuffing something that is called a gular pouch. A storage spot in their throat that is used for storage and transport of excess food. Allowing the Blue Jay to stash that extra food in the woods for times of need.

Sometimes with this stashing, they are planting things in the woods. They don’t always get back to those nuts and seeds.

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Much Snow And Many Birds

February 12, 2025

This morning I measured our snow. Eight inches with much rain sinking to the bottom of the accumulation.

Birds were in panic mode. There was suet out already. That’s always a popular place but there were no hulled sunflower seeds out on TOP of the snow. After I scattered some out many gathered to have breakfast and were happy again.

This is a pair of Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) captured by my camera this morning. I spotted six of these beautiful birds at one point. During mating season the male is extremely territorial. Wikipedia points out, “He may mistake his image on various reflective surfaces as an invading male and will fight his reflection relentlessly.”

Our dear friend Gary knows this all too well, the male Cardinal will fight his reflection relentlessly.

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A Snow Day

February 11, 2025

The snow started this morning at about 9:15, coming down at a good clip. That lasted a while and then it slowed, only to get serious again a bit before noon. And that has continued through the day. Beautiful, serious snow coming down. Even now nearly twelve hours after it first started snow is falling at a serious rate.

During the day birds were plentiful, looking for whatever they could find to eat. Here, one of the many, a Chickadee (Poecile).

A couple hours ago I measured the depth of the snow. Seven inches. And still coming down.

It’s not holding back.

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Still There For The Birds

February 10, 2025

Fruits, berries, or technically drupes of Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium). Waiting for birds to find them. As is the case here, sometimes it is well into winter before these drupes are discovered and eaten. A time when there are fewer things to eat. Located out by the end of my lane, I keep an eye on them, since I’m curious about when they will be eaten.

The Blackhaw Viburnum is a large bush or small tree, sometimes reaching a height of ten or twenty feet. Its flowers grow in a flat topped cluster, blooming in early spring.

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