Hungarian Surprise

Each morning my cat friend, Ellie Mae, sits on her window-view bed and surveys the backyard. She is usually bored with and mostly ignores the birds coming to the nearby feeder but this morning her body language expressed an interest in something unusual. And not for the first time, I set down my coffee cup and removed myself from the comfort of the couch to see what she found so fascinating. Foraging beside my picket fence were six Gray Partridge (a.k.a. Hungarian Partridge). Well spotted, Ellie!

Gray Partridge foraging in the early hours of my backyard.

Checking the snow for seeds, this one ventures forth.

Six ribbons of Gray Partridge tracks on the snow.

More Light Reading

My garden has an overgrown, unkempt appearance. Perhaps an eyesore to passing motorists, if they catch a glimpse of it through my trees, but perfectly satisfying to me. There are fruit bearing shrubs and evergreen trees with ground sweeping boughs. The brush piles and the thick vegetation provide food and refuge for shy wildlife. This morning this habitat provision was rewarded with the sight of Gray Partridge tracks. Also known as Hungarian Partridge, they were introduced to North America from Europe as game birds. So glad to know that they are still here and adding a touch of grace to my backyard.

A gray partridge's hesitant gait.

Relaxed and meandering.

A purposeful march.

A stroll through the park.

Gray partridge digging for seed under one of my bird feeders.

My red squirrel's tracks.

Early this morning, a coyote whizzed past my trail cam.

My resident coyote looks well fed and healthy.

Spring Distractions

For days and weeks I have been intending to start my income tax return. Each day seems to turn into, "Well -- maybe tomorrow."

The trouble is that there are just too many distractions appearing outside my windows. We are finally getting some sunny and warm days after a particularly horrid winter. My deck is just begging for someone to grab a pair of birding binoculars and come sit on an Adirondack chair! Oh, just saw a tree swallow swooping in from the South!

Okay, nuff fooling around -- office work this afternoon for sure!

These gray partridge appreciate the brushy areas here.

How can one not stop and admire the colours of a cardinal?

And the blues in this blue jay -- gorgeous!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Purple Finch wondering about the cat.

No worries -- the window will protect us!

Cottontails are now foraging more in daylight hours.

Wake up, Ellie! There is a squirrel in the feeder!