Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings of the Vermilon River, A Post to WBW.


Ripe Berries.

 Everything seems to be moving so fast; the first of the berries are now showing. That fact brings my buddies the Cedar Waxwings, who love the edible berries. They survive on insects until the berries come into season. They're as sociable as their cousins the Bohemian Waxwings, which we're fortunate to have also. Fruit even enters into the courtship of these birds. Cornell said that sometimes these birds consume fermented berries, and end up in an alcoholic haze. Do you suppose they drink and fly?


I posted some photos of the Bohemians to show you the difference. The photos were taken in the winter when a flock of  100 or more descended on the remains of the crab apple trees where I live.

Bohemian Waxwing.


Bohemian Waxwing.


Bohemian


Looking at the photos below which are Cedar Waxwings, the most noticeable difference is the  red under the tail area, followed by more ornate wing flashing's.


Amazing, the Bohemians are just a little more than the Cedars.

Cedar Waxwings.


Cedar Waxwings.


No Red Under the Tail.


Shows Wing Markings.


Cedar Waxwing.
 Before I end the post, let me answer a few general questions. Canada is the second largest land mass in the world; Russia being the first. A good guide is that the population of Canada is 10 percent of the US. That population is by and large strung along the border between Canada and the US. The 10 Provinces all have wilderness areas, not parks, they have them too, but wilderness areas. The 10 provinces differ, but generally match the American region directly south of them. Southern Alberta and the plains area of the US are just part of a NA system. But we have the North in all provinces, except the Maritimes, and indeed the Yukon Territory is the north. Ontario, my province, is larger than most European countries. The wilderness is unoccupied except for mining or logging. The land is generally owned by the crown or the people of the province. In the US you have parks owned by the Feds or States, and even some lands which you lease for grazing. But I can't for the life of me think of any open, non-occupied wilderness area, except mountains which are inaccesible. There is even a time change in Ontario.

 So in answer to the questions of can you kayak or canoe the Vermilon River? Yes right to its source about 400-500 miles to the NE of me, or to the south yes right to Lake Huron where it ultimately goes. To the north you can push on right to James Bay. Are you going to see anyone? Maybe to the south some, but to the north certainly not many. Do people do it? Not the ones from here, although some will snowmobile a bit of it. Why don't they? Because they don't like the forest, and because their ATVs run out of gas, and because it's dangerous if you're not careful. Have I done it? Before my accident a bit of it; I can't sit a canoe now for any lenght of time. Besides if you're taking photos you're not going to go far because there is so much to see. I remember an old bush pilot telling me of a Professor from U of T that he use to fly in every year who canoed back. But that's rare. Are there guides? Sure not around here. ATV riders follow the trails at a fast clip, and don't see much or really go far. So there is no need for guides. Could you find one? I expect so from adjacent areas.

I put this information in so you would have some perspective of the area in which I am fortunate to live. I  am not promoting low populations, but I am promoting informed populations who conserve and savour what they have. If you think I'm hard on the local residents, perhaps so. But in the end they suffer in such terrible ways. The incidence of cancer is high, aggravated by high smoking rates, obesity runs wild caused by bad food and lack of exercise. How much exercise is there in riding an ATV. They and their children are poor swimmers in an area of almost unlimited lakes and rivers. Booze and drugs are a problem and education is undervalued, because of the longtime availability of  unskilled jobs which is now declining. There is then a jerk job which even if it is paid well limits the ability to enjoy leisure in a healthy way, and their children. Status is derived from whatever the TV ads say is cool, another reason to own a big truck, an ATV,a big boat.They and their children are regularly injured or killed in accidents involving  mechanized vehicles. Sound familiar? Because it's just not here is it?


A Post to WBW @ http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/

19 comments:

  1. sadly, no. i think that is our culture in lots of countries.

    lovely waxwings. we get them passing thru but only briefly (the cedars only).

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  2. To see the both within a short period of time was really something!! Texwisgirl.

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  3. A thought provoking read Gary... I grew up in the 1960's and ran around with no restraint. The kids today with responsible parents are wrapped in cotton wool... such a shame.
    To travel hundreds of miles up your local river in a canoe sounds like a fantastic adventure... If only you could manage it my friend.
    Take care Andrew

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  4. We had an invasion of Bohemian Waxwings here during the winter; such beautiful birds. You have double the pleasure with both species.

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  5. A good read, food for thought. Fantastic series of photos. Dreaming of seeing it for myself in the near future. For now, I will just admire them virtually.

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  6. Love the waxwings Gary! Yes it's hard to comprehend the vacant nature of Canada when it comes to human population. The Planet Earth BBC series does a good job helping to give a sense of it. Fascinating!

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  7. It's an incredible place to live Andrew!!

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  8. Yes Keith it's great to see both.

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  9. Interesting you get planet earth. I hear it in the AM on public radio here, Springman.

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  10. Interesting story. I would love to be able to kayak around and not see a ton of people. I have to keep from bumping into boats or other kayaks. Although I'm sure it's the same here with obesity rates, it feels like everyone (or at least most people I know) are out biking, hiking or kayaking. Even in the heat. When I drive 50 miles out of town to go to a remote park, it's usually full of people.

    You do live in a beautiful place.

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  11. You do live in a beautiful place, and I'm glad that it has you to cherish and record its beauty, even if no one else there does. It's the same everywhere, I think. So many people so engrossed with getting more and more junk, that they don't stop and look at the treasures they have around them.

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  12. ATVs are not my favorite things. You just added another reason why I don't like them. Canada is beautiful. Nova Scotia is unreal, but I am fearful of it's future because the gov't is behind the times in their outlook for protecting and managing it's beauty.

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  13. The Waxwings are such beautiful birds and you have captured them well, showing the differences between the two species. You live in a remarkably beautiful area, full of natural splendor. I look forward to your WBW posts each week.

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  14. Interesting post and great photos of the Waxwings. Very to cool to be able to see both the Bohemian and Cedar.

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  15. Glad there are still some places where wilderness is avaialable for those RW&A to commnune with her--
    Your waxwings photos are stunning!

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  16. First of all wonderful photos, Gary. Such elegant birds! Your social critique is very much to the point. Over time natural selection will eventually take place, but in the meantime at what costs to our environment!

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  17. This winter, we had many more Bohemian Waxwings than the Cedar Waxwing. Some years, it's the other way around.

    We have wilderness areas in northern Maine. Several attempts have been made to try to develop some of this area, but it has been turned down every time.

    Great captures Gary!

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  18. great shots of a beautiful winter bird for me. :)

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