Events here and there

Some interesting things have happened since I last posted, some from afar and some from home.

Brian and I volunteered to be marshals at a Couchiching Conservancy Nature Day.  The Couchiching Conservancy is an organization that owns and manages properties dedicated as nature conservation areas for the future, and they have some outstanding nature-based events.  On this day, they had a falconer come in to do a Birds of Prey presentation, and we got some really interesting (and close) looks at some local species such as Great Horned Owl, Turkey Vulture, and Red-tailed Hawk with their handler.

Then he brought out a Falcon chick.

And some Red-tailed hawk chicks.

As you well know, when you are taking baby pictures, it is rare that you can get everyone to look at you at once.

And when feeding time begins, no one is going to look at you.

When speaking of babies, we had a surprise one appear at home.  It may be difficult to see, but there is a single chick close on the right of the turkey hen.

The protective colouring of the chick is excellent (lower left hand corner).

When the hen appeared with the chick, we knew the chick was at least two weeks old, because they can fly at that point, and it is now safer for them to venture out.  Once they are out in the open, the feathering becomes more obvious.  They have been regular daily visitors and the chick is growing rapidly.

And speaking of visitors, look who turned up again!

And look what the nice cylindrical peanut feeder looks like after his visit!

As usual, things are generally wildlife-oriented here, with the latest rush project to build an outdoor squirrel cage to house the fast-growing babies under care.

The cage is meant to be modular, so it can be easily taken down and moved, so it started with a basic base and walls.

Once it got erected, it got temporary sheltering on some sides to protect from the elements, which will be replaced with some nice bark pieces this weekend.

The inmates seem to enjoy it, and the cage is apparently so desirable that the chipmunk decided to dig in yesterday.  He is merely one of many.  A few days prior, I noticed digging around all sides of the cage, and was a little worried about coyotes.  This was not the case at all.  A day later, I caught the criminals in the act.  It was Mom Coon and 5 kits!  I could just see her showing the kits how to dig, and them all copying enthusiastically. 

In the meantime, my new little flower garden in the back yard is showing excellent results, thanks to contributions from my gardening friend Norma.  Once I get the cage completed, I will start on a little more landscaping this year.  More pictures will follow……….