January Jabber

Another month has whizzed by already. Must be enjoying myself for time to speed like it does! 

Except for one day and evening of gale force winds, our winter has been fairly gentle -- so far. I've only used the snowblower twice this season. The last time a shovel would have sufficed.

Ellie Mae keeping tabs on the outside world.

 

Ellie Mae and I have been watching our winter bird life. Me, admiring and wishing them well. Can't vouch for her thoughts.

The Eastern Screech Owl has been using the roost box every so often. A safe hideout from hawks, crows and jays as well as a larder for storing food. No doubt it has different hunting territories that it cycles though and when it is here, the smaller birds certainly protest. 

Eastern Screech owl in my homemade roost box.

 

After dark a few nights ago, I watched it perched on a mountain ash tree branch, scanning the snow for signs of mice. My Canon camera barely had enough light to capture his/her silhouette. Surprised my camera captured the little owl at all as it really was quite dark out.

My little friend starting his/her night shift.

 

The lower the temperature dips, the more demand on my suet feeders. I make my own blocks by melting lard and stirring in peanut butter and a small handful of cornmeal.

Tanking up on high fat nourishment.

 

These guys look like they are playing 'teeter-totter'.

 

Beside keeping myself entertained with television, internet, piano practice and phone gabs, I've been doing some sewing. I'm making good progress with repairing worn fabrics on my heritage quilt. Some of the blocks have all frayed so I've made 9 patch flimsies (although with flannelette plus an under pad, they are not so flimsy). I'm pleased with how they turned out and the continued overall style of the original design.

A patch of new material forming a nine-patch block.

 

Also, using an old apron as a pattern, I made a new one, with more generous pockets. Lots of room to stash eye glasses, cell phone, seed packets, clothes pegs, etc.

Making a pattern from an old apron.

My filing system. Reading specs on left side, distance ones on right.

Seasons Greetings

 

My screech owl buddy is again using it's winter roost box during the day. I didn't get around to cleaning out this summer's starling nest but I know they keep their quarters very clean and so the owl will have soft furnishings to snuggle into during the cold days ahead.

My feathered tabby kitten, my winged prince of night.
You touch my wintry heart and gift it with delight.

Those feathered eyelids could compete with glitzy show girl blings
Yet cute and fluffy as you are, you make your living killing things.

Pyjama legs top little feet with steely, gripping toes
Claws that sink and still wee hearts (Jack the Ripper covets those)

I adore you, little hunter, though secrets you won't share.
I gaze into your yellow eyes and see disapproval there.

 

Out To Pasture, 2021 

 

Nice to think we've reached the darkest part of the season and begin to increase our daylight again. Can't wait to see what drama 2022 awaits. If anything like the past few years, it will be a doozy!!!

Cracking Down ...

... on myself, that is.

For months now, my systolic blood pressure has been steadily creeping upwards. My energy levels are disappointing and I've had episodes of unwarranted anxiety. Coincidentally - OR NOT -- I've been indulging in salty snacks and sugary, buttery treats.

So I've decided to experiment. For two weeks I will consume only foods that are plant-based, unprocessed and with no added salt or sugar. Also, I'm going to exercise for at least half an hour a day, be it on my elliptical exercise machine or shovelling snow, hiking or swimming at my favourite public pool in Ottawa.

I'm not even going to touch my blood pressure monitoring machine until the two weeks are up. Then, all will be revealed. If the results are as I expect, my new life style change will be a keeper!

*  *  *  *  *

For two mornings in a row, I just happened to be looking out of my kitchen window to witness a screech owl being routed by jays from it's hideout in a big, bushy spruce tree. The fleeing little owl bolted into the roost box for cover. It got me thinking about those jays and their roll as birdy neighbourhood watch. I've also noticed that very often, smaller birds don't even appear at my feeders until the bluejays arrive first. The jays are definitely bossy and even at times bullies but they also provide a kind of security service as first responders to hawk or owl dangers. And they even wear blue uniforms.

This blue jay has driven a fugitive to ground.

Under house arrest!

The blue uniform seems appropriate.

My Winter Friend

As dawn approached, I spotted a familiar wee face in the entrance of the old box that faces my kitchen window.

For the first time this season, an Eastern Screech Owl is using the shelter for daytime roosting and as a larder.

Prey birds are not nearly as happy as I am to see the little owl in their midst. They are swift to spread the unwelcome news to their fellows.

A Cooper's hawk checks the yard on a regular basis so the little owl is wise to stay hidden during daylight hours. 

Within their hives, my bees cluster and shiver their flight muscles for warmth. Their honey will nourish them throughout the winter as well as provide a delicious sweetener for my toast, salad dressings and drinks. In the event of a power outage, bees wax candles provide clear and fragrant light. But, perhaps above all else, I just love to see them humming from flower to flower, benefiting all.

The lawnmower is on winter vacation while the snow blower has reported for duty. Each season has it's own beauty. Now that I'm retired, I especially love to look out the window at gently falling snow. Snow that becomes an insulating blanket to those who sleep beneath.

Backyard Sweeties

Sadly, my cottontail rabbit has disappeared. Neither hide nor 'hare' (pardon the pun) to be found. Sightings stopped at about the same time that we got a coating of freezing rain a couple of weeks back.

On a brighter note, an Eastern Screech-owl has been using both the roost box on the north side of my house and the one on the south side. A few nights back I thought I heard it's soft trilling vocalization. Such a little cutie! Understandably, the other birds in my yard don't share my affection for it.

A scolding Black-capped Chickadee points to the whereabouts of a roosting owl.

A White-breasted Nuthatch confirms the sighting.

An Eastern Screech-Owl peers from the box located on the north side of my house.

Only occasionally does it roost in this newer box installed south of my house.

Not a terrific photo because ...

... I was shooting through this ice-spattered window.

While foraging, this American Tree Sparrow kept slipping and sliding on the ice.

The February Scene

Yesterday, snow flurries were heavy at times. Late in the afternoon the bluejays were elsewhere and my little screech owl decided it was safe to risk exposure on his/her roost box perch.

My screech owl neighbour enjoys a peaceful rest on it's front porch.

It gazes up at flocks of crows heading to their winter roost location.

The snow does not melt on this well insulated feather coat.

Last Spring, when I first saw my resident red squirrel, I didn't think it had much of a chance at survival. The young animal's left hind leg was only a short stump. There were no older squirrels or siblings in sight so I presumed some calamity to it's family had occurred. I certainly didn't think it would last the winter. Happily, I was mistaken. The disadvantaged little squirrel has not only survived but is doing quite well. While it does not jump as well as an intact squirrel, it can still shuttle about tree branches with remarkable skill. I think it's a male and I've named it 'Timmy'. What a valiant little champion!

Timmy was moving some dried grass to a den in a nearby brush pile.

As he neatens his bundle, you can see his leg stump.

This rustic 'handicap ramp' facilitates feeder access.

A New Ginger Tabby

Well, it may not exactly be a tabby in the feline sense, but it does resemble a ginger tabby kitten to me -- except for the beak -- and for the feathers. But it does hunt mice and see well in the dark and is very, very cute!!

Over the years I've had the pleasure of watching gray morph eastern screech owls use my winter roost boxes but today I had my first tenant with a reddish tint. In my region, the rufous morph is less common. I don't know it's gender, but I think of this one as female. It seems larger than the slightly smaller males. To me, she looks like a pretty little miss with bleached tresses. I'm reminded of the old Miss Clairol ad -- "Only her hairdresser knows for sure."

Their common name of 'screech' owl is misleading. They do not screech at all, but call with a low, descending whinny and a muted trill. Lovely music to my ears!
 

The rather kittenish face of a rufous morph eastern screech owl.

There are tabby-like markings atop the owl's head.

We gaze into each other's eyes. Her's appears judgemental.

'

From an old box on an old tree, she peers at something on the snow below.

What delicate blush work on those cheeks, my dear.

Surprise In A Box

I was delighted to see my eastern screech owl friend using one of my roost boxes today. This sets a new record for late season use of the box. Previously, the latest date was March 23, 2009. So far, they have only used the boxes for winter roosting, never for brood.

In this area, bush lots are becoming ever more scarce as they are clear cut to make way for the planting of corn and soybean crops. Even existing fence lines and their trees are removed. Sadly for the owls, this greatly reduces the number of available tree cavity nesting sites, also competed for by starlings and squirrels.

March 27th, 2014, the latest seasonal use of this box by an eastern screech owl.

Soon these little juncos will head further north to raise their families.

Mourning doves at breakfast.

A visiting grey squirrel checks out the bird feeders.

As day breaks, this cottontail will soon hide for the day.

Was too slow off the mark in grabbing my camera,
so here is only the business end of a very hungry little skunk.
He went that-a-way!

End Of The Night Shift

At dawn this morning I saw my little screech owl ending his night shift and spending longer than usual on his box's branch perch. He seemed reluctant to go inside for his daily hideaway.

Are you still hungry little one? Or are you just reluctant to call it a night?

Nightshift from Out To Pasture on Vimeo.

No Rest For The Wicked

Another cold but sunny day here in Eastern Ontario. My eastern screech owl neighbour would love to bask in the sun, but little birds can take exception.

Ah, for a peaceful bask in the sun.

Hey! Get back in your box!

I mean now!!!

And stay in there!!!

A heating element allows a winter's morning drink.
You are welcome little ones!