In between a snow fall of 20cm, about 10 inches and one today of 15 cm., about 7 inches, we got in a hike to the west side of the river. All the snow was accompanied by high winds so the drifting was something else. These are different scenes of the Vermilon, and as you can see there is no sun. Most of the light is reflection off the snow.
We didn't get as far as we wanted to, because of the cold and high winds. The top photo is the River flowing south, and the one opposite is the River on the northern side of the bridge we cross. You can also see the ridge in the background of the first photo.
This is an open stretch in front of the rock islands.
And this is the west trail, an abandoned railway track. In the grey light it looks like the beginning of a foreboding Grimm's fairy tale, but Boom and I are not afraid.
Black spruce trees grow thickly here, as well as birch trees, so it's a great spot for chickadees. And that's what we were looking for as well as anything else of interest.
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| Black-capped Chickadee. |
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| Black-capped Chickadee |
The west side of the River is Raven country and Huegin picked us up right away. He's called Huegin after the Raven that sat at the right shoulder of Oden, king of the Norse gods.
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| In Flight shot. |
This is Huegin on a pole maintaining his balance in the wind rather well. You can tell a crow from a raven by the in flight wedge shaped tail. The crow has a circular tale.
This is Huegy, our Northern Crow. Now you can see that he got his name form the Ravens, but in size he's much smaller so his name is smaller. He doesn't enter Raven territory.
This is female Pine Grosbeak, another finch from the Boreal forest that over winters here.
This is the male. You can see how the grey skies just provide a back drop for the resplendent colours of these birds.
That yellow rump patch is pretty fancy too.
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| Male Pine Grosbeak |
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| Female Redpoll |
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| Female Redpoll |
In between a snow fall of 20cm, about 10 inches and one today of 15 cm., about 7 inches, we got in a hike to the west side of the river. All the snow was accompanied by high winds so the drifting was something else. These are different scenes of the Vermilon, and as you can see there is no sun. Most of the light is reflection off the snow.
We didn't get as far as we wanted to, because of the cold and high winds. The top photo is the River flowing south, and the one opposite is the River on the northern side of the bridge we cross. You can also see the ridge in the background of the first photo.
This is an open stretch in front of the rock islands.
And this is the west trail, an abandoned railway track. In the grey light it looks like the beginning of a foreboding Grimm's fairy tale, but Boom and I are not afraid.
Black spruce trees grow thickly here, as well as birch trees, so it's a great spot for chickadees. And that's what we were looking for as well as anything else of interest.
The west side of the River is Raven country and Huegin picked us up right away. He's called Huegin after the Raven that sat at the right shoulder of Oden, king of the Norse gods.
This is Huegin on a pole maintaining his balance in the wind rather well. You can tell a crow from a raven by the in flight wedge shaped tail. The crow has a circular tale.
This is female Pine Grosbeak, another finch from the Boreal forest that over winters here.
This is the male. You can see how the grey skies just provide a back drop for the resplendent colours of these birds.
That yellow rump patch is pretty fancy too.
Yes the Grosbeaks are finches also, although they're about the size of Blue Jay and the Redpolls are smaller than the Goldfinch. A Post to SWF @ http://skyley.blogspot.com/; Camera Critters @ http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/ and Scenic Sunday @ http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/ 
My goodness! That looks so cold. Lovely images.
ReplyDeletethose grosbeaks are fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Pine Grosbeak are fantastic, thanks Gary.
ReplyDeleteCoooold, I'm sitting here shaking just looking at your photos... but, I would love to be walking in all that snow! Great photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see that someone is leaving seeeds out for the birds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the birds.
ReplyDeleteIt does look cold in your part of the world, Gary! I do love all of your birds today and particularly the grosbeaks! Beautiful! Hope you and Boom have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Some stunning photos there Gary, very nice!
ReplyDeleteJ
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES
Thak you for those wonderful shots of the birds.
ReplyDeleteLots of pretty snow up your way. The of the male Grosbeak is really nice. Have a lovely weekend. Mickie :)
ReplyDeleteLong since I saw winter with snow now - even here in Sandinaia .
ReplyDeleteLike your Huegin and would love to have him around here :)
Nice images Gary but I think I would stay in out of the cold.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so cold but quite magical and I love the captures of that little chickadee sheltering in the blue spruce.
ReplyDeletecold would not stop you from enjoying nature walk.
ReplyDeletehope the snowfall aint too bad.
JUst saw your name. What a beautiful country and your birds and photo;s are great.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful winter hike. You take such good shots of the birds and the landscapes or perhaps I should so snowscapes. In any event wonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteI love the grosbeak - what a great grouping of birds!
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures of all the birds:)
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! I like the way you tell a story with your words and images.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of birds. The in-flight ones are my favourites!
ReplyDeleteThe grosbeaks are gorgeous, but I have always loved chickadees. I've often wondered how Huegy got his name, and now I see he's a smaller species than Huegin, the Norse God. LOL
ReplyDeleteFabulous winter hike, Gary. Thanks for taking us along.
K
Great shots, I love the Grosbeaks!
ReplyDeleteLovely captures of the smaller birds! Thanks for explaining the difference between ravens and crows. I can tell the difference in their calls, and their size, but didn't know about the tails.
ReplyDeleteLovely wintry scenes and I love the redpolls and the grosbeaks. Wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteOh my I so love the winter landscape here. Thanks for sharing and a new follower too.
ReplyDeleteSWF
Love the male pine grossbeak from the back - how its colors go over into each other! Nature paints amazingly well! Jesh
ReplyDeleteGreat scenes!
ReplyDeleteWonderful snowy scenes!
ReplyDeleteI feel cold now ! the poor little birds must be hard for them in such a cold winter !
ReplyDeleteOverwhelming! I have no words...
ReplyDeleteBShell
wonderful landscapes and pretty birds ☺
ReplyDeleteThose Pine Grosbeaks and Redpolls are beautiful birds. I enjoy seeing them when I visit your blog. I just got some new sunflower seed mix--I hope I can attract some new birds.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Picture
ReplyDelete_______________________________
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Lovely photos, especially the male pine grosbeak
ReplyDeleteloves that grosbeak.
ReplyDelete°º✿
ReplyDeleteº° ✿ ✿⊱╮
Fotografias lindas.
Bom fim de semana!
Beijinhos.
Brasil°º✿
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I like the flight of the raven.
ReplyDeleteI shan't worry about the wonderful birds, because you've explained so nicely how well-adapted they are to the snowy conditions. But I'm a little worried about you two getting buried in one of those snowdrifts ;>). Thanks for sharing, beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteTHESE ARE MAGNIFICENT GARY! THE BRILLIANT COLOURATION SHOWS UP SO BEAUTIFULLY ON THOSE GORGEOUS FINCHES~ HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
ReplyDeleteYou took awesome pictures even though it was a gray looking day,love the pine grosbeaks against the lighting,phllis
ReplyDeleteIGolly, I'm in love again, that pine grosbeak is just irresistible.
ReplyDeleteThe colors of the birds are beautiful captured.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend
Marijke
Wonderful photos, as always, Gary. Had to 'pop in' to see what's going on in your little corner of the world. Looks pretty cold, but pretty.
ReplyDeletei forgot how much I love to feed them in the snow
ReplyDeleteLove all of them . A winter walk in the snow makes a great backdrop for photos. You have some really fantastic captures.
ReplyDelete....now that's something I'd love to see this winter--snow! We just had an ice storm, but as yet, no snow accumulation. Love seeing all your winter scenes and winter birds, and your shots of the chickadees are fab.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images! i especially love those Pine Grosbeaks.
ReplyDelete