After days of frigid weather, temperatures have risen to well above freezing. There have been much fog and so much rain that the snow has disappeared and the river has flood to higher levels that we’ve seen before.
On a crisp day before the rain, we spent a sunny afternoon at The Coves.
Except those at the feeders, the birds were staying under cover. It was challenging to get a focus!
Only the Downy Woodpeckers and Black-capped Chickadees were on an open branch from time to time.
As we walked along, a shadow crossed the path. We were able to track the flight of a Red-tailed Hawk that landed high in a tree across the pond, backlit by the sun. Another photography challenge!
You may be able to see a small oval shape at 8 o-clock in the central tallest tree. That is where the hawk landed. As Glenn took photos, the bird turned its head to watch.
Two days later, we headed to Aylmer Wildlife Management Area (AWMA). By then the temperature had risen, the sky was overcast and there was constant drizzle. With poor light, the damp, and the chance of heavier rain, Glenn left his camera at home.
That day, the feeders were full and bird were busy feasting. Behind the tinted windows of the viewing station, we could see the birds, but photographs were out of the question. Here’s what we saw: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, House Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow and Northern Cardinal.
The roads at AWMA are lined with trees and shrubs, some still bearing fruit for hungry birds and animals.
As we walked the roads, we heard American Crows calling and saw flocks of European Starlings in flight and roosting in trees. A small flock of White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos foraged at the edge of the road where the snow had melted to expose the grass and seeds.
Several other visitors had left tracks on the road:
The Gentle Side of Linda Ronstadt
And a bonus surprise.