Sunday, March 11, 2012

High Winds At THe Vermilon River. A Post to MWT and WBW.

The weather changed again to cold, but this time  with high winds. Although we had some fresh snow, the winds curtailed most of the hiking because of the blowing snow. Despite an earlier warm thaw, we seem to have lost what gains we made toward spring, and have lapsed back to winter. All these photos are taken along the River where the access is easy. Opposite looks north west.

This scene plus the next one down looks south. Remember click on the photos to enlarge and watch the slide show. 

 I'll just use captions for the birds, but in almost all the photos you can see the blowing snow, especially in the Redpoll and Pine Grosbeck photos.
This photo looks north west again.

Male Redpoll In The Wind.

Male Redpoll.

A Female Redpoll, but you can see the snow in the background. The snow is mostly blowing snow.

This shot shows a male Redpoll. The photo is not out of focus, in fact I included it to show you the blowing snow. Redpolls are probably the hardiest birds that I know.

A Female Pine Grosbeak hanging on for dear life.

The same Female Grosbeak with the snow visible in the background.

Female Pine Grosbeak

Male Pine Grosbeak

Male Pine Grosbeak

Male Pine Grosbeak and Redpoll

Pine Sisken

Pine Sisken

Starling In Non-Breeding Plumage.

Starling Front View.

Mourning Dove

Mourning Dove.

These shots are some attempts to be creative. Opposite are dried wild sunflower pods that still have seeds in them, and attract these hardy birds.

49 comments:

  1. Those RedPolls are such stunning little birds, thanks for sharing gary

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks very cold there, I love all the birdies. The Redpolls and the grosbeaks are gorgeous birds. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great series of beautiful shots!
    Love to see all your beautiful birds.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Cold and high winds sound extremely cold.
    Mette

    ReplyDelete
  4. You were probably ready for spring, but the snow sure makes for beautiful photos. I did not get to see one snowflakes here this year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Spring has arrived here Gary.. Daffodils and blossom on some of the trees.
    Wonderful images of your snow and of course your wonderful little birds..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Is Spring ever going to come your way Gary? I just love the male Redpoll in the blowing snow!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are still in the snow! It got colder here too, but it's a laughing matter compared to your cold, lol! The colors of the mourning dove are so gorgeous - the snow brings them out much more!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely shots once again, Gary.
    And I really liked your last two shots!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks on all,but especially your comments on my artsy photos.

      Delete
  9. Hi Gary

    I liked the blue highlights in the snow on your first few landscape shots. I thought you birds were exceptional with really vivid colours and details. The wild sunflower photos were great as well. All in all a very nice post. Sorry winter returned we are toying with spring.

    Regards
    Guy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sometimes try to be a bit artsy. I'm glad you liked it.

      Delete
  10. Aaah, beautiful shot of the birds. :0) Have a nice week :0)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unbelieveble the birds still can find food. Your winter is a long one. Thanks for showing all this beauty's.
    gr. Marijke

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have no warming current like the gulf stream to moderate the cold.

      Delete
  12. Long winter up there! The snow scenes are especially pretty in the slide-show format. And the birds, those hearty things, as always -- thank goodness for those seeds.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That does look snowy and cold, but beautiful! Beautiful birds as always! I love the doves! Have a great week, Gary!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  14. I always enjoy your bird shots, Gary, and I I like your creative ones as well.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm cold just looking at that great slide show! Take heart-- spring is almost here.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great series! - the Pine Sisken with snow on its beak is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful images, and what about the snow, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The wind makes it so much colder. I know your wildlife will be happy when spring heads your way. Great shots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually as soon as it warms the Redpolls and the Pine Grosbeaks will leave to go further north. They'll be replaced by sparrows, warblers and all the aquatic. Boom & Gary.

      Delete
  19. I don't like the wind ... makes it so much colder. Lovely feathered friends again. I saw in Starling in my backyard last week and for some reason more mourning doves rather the Asian banded doves ... that's okay ... I like the mourning doves. Wonderful series, Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wonderful snowy landscapes, these excellent shots in this winter environment have extra value because of its beauty and its difficulty, I wish you nice week.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful shots! Amazing birds, never seen any of them before.

    Irene, Norway

    ReplyDelete
  22. We have redpolls here now. I've never seen them before. Actually I've never seen them at all, but my husband photographed them on two occasions, so I know they're here.
    I always enjoy your photos, Gary. Too bad about your hiking being curtailed. I know what blowing snow is like, and it's no fun at all.
    K

    ReplyDelete
  23. Stunning shots Gary. Brrr...it looks and sounds cold. Hope you and Boomer will stay warm.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The bird shots are fantastic!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. You have a very long cold winter! Great photos of all the birds.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi there - after thinking autumn was here on the weekend, we had a 30+ day today!

    I think it’s the same (but the other way around!) for you.

    Stewart M - Australia

    ReplyDelete
  27. teh grosebeaks are really colorfull.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wonderful shots - love the pinkness of the grosbeaks.

    It's windy here, but at least the sun is shining!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I LOVE your pictures!! You captured the beauty of the season!!
    fantastic pictures...
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wonderful birds! I have never seen some the pine grosbeak and love his color! I know you are sad to see any movement toward spring knocked back by this storm. It makes for some gorgeous photography, though. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Proper exposure must be difficult with the white background. Very nice photos all.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh for the love of your colourful Grosbeaks and your Redpolls, love them all!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wonderful images of your birds in their winter habitat.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love the snowy shots! It adds a nice dimension to the shots.
    Really like the bokeh in those dove shots!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I just love the photos. Greetings from Montreal.

    ReplyDelete
  36. they're each beautiful photos Gary but the red showing in the redpoll and grosbeaks certainly would make them stand out for you in the snows. I look forward to summer pics in the same locality; devoid of white. Though I LOVE to see the snowy scenes, I'm interested in the changes in the outlook

    ReplyDelete
  37. They are all so beautiful! Seems that is still winter there!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Lovely snowy scenes. It's amazing how the fragile-seeming birds can cope with extreme weather.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Don't you get sick of all that snow, Gary?! Still, gives you opportunities for those lovely landscape photos.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I think you answered your own question, bur forgot to add the wildlife also. Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks everybody for your visits and kind remarks.

      Delete
  41. all so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete