Well, spring is definitely in the air, and the forecast is for scattered showers over the next few days. I hope those showers scatter here because we need some moisture.
On my way to Okotoks this morning, there were about a dozen Trumpeter Swans on a pond southeast of our place. The trumpeters make a stop there every year on their migration route through, and it’s always an exciting day when their large white bodies can be seen—often bottoms up—as they feed. They are only there for a few days. Of course, I had to stop and try to get a photo or two—I was parked on the road so the photo on my Home page is somewhat blurry.
I checked my “Birds of Alberta” book when I got home though just to make sure they weren’t Tundra Swans which also migrate through this area. But, the Tundra Swans don’t have the distinctive curved neck of the Trumpeters so I’m sure I have my sighting correct. (However, if any ‘birder’ is reading this and can get a good idea from the photo, please do let me know.) Their calls were also very loud and bugle-like while the Tundra Swans have a higher-pitched, quivering call.
The Robins have been back for a couple weeks now, and I enjoy their cheery songs. We haven’t seen any male Mountain Bluebirds yet, but there have been lots of sightings in the area so I think they might be avoiding our houses. We cleaned the birdhouses out in early March, but bluebirds are notoriously fussy about their real estate, as my Dad used to say.
The mule deer have moved into the yard as they wander about seeking the green sprigs of grass that are starting to emerge. Hayley dog is getting quite deaf now so the mule deer bother her less although she still barks if they come too close up the path.
The moose spend most of their time in the environmental reserve behind us. They have been in the yard, but we haven’t seen them up close—just the evidence. Soon, it will be time to shovel all that out of the yard and garden.
The windows look very filthy in the bright spring sunlight so that’s another job that will need to be tackled. Of course, the entire house could use a good spring cleaning, but the chances of that happening look increasingly unlikely as my volunteer Library Board work continues to take over.
Best Spring wishes to all of you. Thanks for reading, and please do respond to me if you have the inclination. It’s always nice to get comments so it doesn’t feel like I’m talking to myself.
On my way to Okotoks this morning, there were about a dozen Trumpeter Swans on a pond southeast of our place. The trumpeters make a stop there every year on their migration route through, and it’s always an exciting day when their large white bodies can be seen—often bottoms up—as they feed. They are only there for a few days. Of course, I had to stop and try to get a photo or two—I was parked on the road so the photo on my Home page is somewhat blurry.
I checked my “Birds of Alberta” book when I got home though just to make sure they weren’t Tundra Swans which also migrate through this area. But, the Tundra Swans don’t have the distinctive curved neck of the Trumpeters so I’m sure I have my sighting correct. (However, if any ‘birder’ is reading this and can get a good idea from the photo, please do let me know.) Their calls were also very loud and bugle-like while the Tundra Swans have a higher-pitched, quivering call.
The Robins have been back for a couple weeks now, and I enjoy their cheery songs. We haven’t seen any male Mountain Bluebirds yet, but there have been lots of sightings in the area so I think they might be avoiding our houses. We cleaned the birdhouses out in early March, but bluebirds are notoriously fussy about their real estate, as my Dad used to say.
The mule deer have moved into the yard as they wander about seeking the green sprigs of grass that are starting to emerge. Hayley dog is getting quite deaf now so the mule deer bother her less although she still barks if they come too close up the path.
The moose spend most of their time in the environmental reserve behind us. They have been in the yard, but we haven’t seen them up close—just the evidence. Soon, it will be time to shovel all that out of the yard and garden.
The windows look very filthy in the bright spring sunlight so that’s another job that will need to be tackled. Of course, the entire house could use a good spring cleaning, but the chances of that happening look increasingly unlikely as my volunteer Library Board work continues to take over.
Best Spring wishes to all of you. Thanks for reading, and please do respond to me if you have the inclination. It’s always nice to get comments so it doesn’t feel like I’m talking to myself.
RSS Feed
