Yesterday’s snowfall resulted in several inches of the white stuff…
so we woke to a ‘winter wonderland’….
mid-day there were a lot of ducks in this area – Gadwall, Mallard and Green-wing Teal…and look – a Great Blue Heron! first one I’ve seen down here for quite some time!
worth a second look! on our way back a pair of Bald Eagles flew over and this heron and all the ducks, took off in every direction! Eagles are hungry and hunting.
Coyote tracks in the snow….it is always interesting to see what critters are ‘out and about’ during the night.
Apart from the Red-wing Blackbirds calling from a tree top, there wasn’t a bird in sight at the log bay – well one Bald Eagle – which is probably the reason for nobody else being around. What is becoming concerning is the number of large branches that have broken out of these willows over the past few months. It is hoped this is a natural occurrence (that will be something for park staff to investigate)…these willows provide roosting and shelter for all kinds of birds, they are also a source of ‘sap’ for Red-breasted Sapsuckers. To get at the sap, Sapsuckers make a series of ‘well’s’, over time bacteria get into these holes and rot sets in so that eventually anything like a strong wind or a heavy snow fall can cause the branch to snap at the infected site.
The only other event of note was a flock of Bushtit busy in the bushes….too busy to pose for photographs!
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