Thursday, December 15, 2011

Still on the West side(White Water, Red Squirrels. Blue Jays, and Evening Grosbeaks) of The Vermilon River. A Post to SWF.

The rapids photos were taken last week when we still had winter. It was about -14 C. Today it is 8C and raining, and all the snow has gone. I'm afraid Boom and I are winter people. Although I like the four seasons, Boom is not at all keen on summer.

It's awfully difficult hiking when it's raining as I have no waterproofing for the camera. The photo opposite is of the side rapids just as the sun began to burn through.

You can see the frost on the brush, and the snow has no trouble sticking to the rocks.

This shot shows the white water just before the chute. By the way my fingers are just about frozen off. I use those artifical warmers when that happens.

The only trouble with the artificial warmers is you can't shut it off once you tear open the package.

This photo shot before the sun warmed up is almost a sepia tone. The sky is so grey in the rain and warmer temperatures over the past few days that I'm using an ISO 800, and the 70-300 lens for wildlife, not the 150-500 which needs a brighter light.

The temperature is cold enough for the ice crystals to adhere to the branch.

All these red squirrels were shot a my feeders. Since we live virtually in the forest, wildlife heads for the feeders to supplement their diet.

As I said these guys are shot at ISO 800 with the 70-300mm lens. The apartments on both sides are inhabited by cats who are entertained by the birds and squirrels.

Boom, by the way likes both the cats and the squirrels.

The problem with attracting four legged wildlife is that it gets progressively larger as the food chain lenghtens.

This guy visits all the time, but I got a night shot of him at 2 A. M. the other night. I mentioned in a previous post that bears are also interested in the birdfeeders. They're vegans so like birdseed, but especially the suet. As well Boom and I watched the wolf contemplate a night visit to a chained little dog until he noticed us. The photo is red because of the sodium vapor lights in the parking lot.

This female Evening Grosbeak is a beauty in her own right.

Despite the grey overcast weather the birds are really bright as these Blue Jays show.

A Post To SWF @ http://skyley.blogspot.com/  Click on any photo and you'll get the slide show.
The Male Grosbeak is certainly more flamboyant than the female.

30 comments:

  1. You have had it cold! Lovely with some snow and ice.

    Gorgeous pictures - as always.

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  2. love your rushing waters. and can never get enough of your cute red squirrels! they're so different than the big fox squirrels we have here. :)

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  3. Scenes with water has a calming effect. The squirrel has an innocent and inquisitive demeanour. But the Grosbeaks are a hit!

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  4. Beautifil images...
    I havn't had any snow yet and to be honest I hope I don't get any...

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  5. Such lovely photographs! I,m fascinated by them))

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  6. These squirrels are so sweet! Lovely post, as usually:)

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  7. It really does look like winter there, Gary.

    There's something wrong with your link on the Sky Watch page. I think you need to try linking up again. (Unless the problem has already been resolved somehow.)

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  8. Beautiful series, The Evening Grosbeaks are gorgeous birds. Happy skywatching!

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  9. beautiful wintry landscapes. the squirrel is too adorable.

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  10. Beautiful photos as always.
    Love the squirrel.
    Have a great weekend.

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  11. People actually chain the dogs outside where the wild life can get to them? The people ought to be shot!

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  12. I love your snowy shots! The almost sepia one, especially! I am going to have to get one of those handwarmer things. Did you know you can get battery heated socks? Or you could a few years ago...

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  13. I love all of these shots, the rushing water, snowy rocks and great variety of bird shots. It does look like it would be a cold hike but fun.

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  14. Oh, my goodness, what beautiful pictures!! You make the cold look delicious!

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  15. Wonderful shots. Love the birds.

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  16. As cold as these shots look I'd love to experience being there - the epitomy of winter scenes. :)
    Great bird and squirrel shots as always and I'm getting really envious of all the fox sightings.
    Have a great weekend Gary and thanks for your visit!

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  17. Gorgeous photos of this beautiful nature spot on earth!

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  18. I love the squirrels, your pictures are so beautiful ! Our squirrels are small and have red fur like the tail of yours. There are not many around here and they are very shy.
    -15°C phew ! we just have 7 today and no frost in sight.

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  19. you have such a beautiful world to explore. :)

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  20. Great shots as usual Gary. Those squirrels are so cute and so nice to see the fox as well.

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  21. Winter weather adds lots of decorative elements to the views. Great collection of nature studies, you do well to capture them all in motion.

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  22. Hi there - like the squirrels - splendid animals!

    Stewart M.

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  23. Beautiful captures :) Squirrel shots are amazing

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  24. Great post with birds and squirrels and winter landscapes (especially the almost sepia one).

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  25. Happy holidays folks as I'm just visiting different blogs. Richard from Amish Stories

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  26. Wonderful series of images Gary!!
    I love the icicles & the squirrels. I know it's cold but it looks so magical!

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  27. lovely photos! The grosbeaks are very handsome birds and those red squirrels always make me smile with the white patches round their eyes. Very different from the Scottish red squirrels!

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  28. Just came by to say Merry Christmas to you and Boom. It's probably no wonder he prefers cooler weather, with that beautiful coat! Also wanted to say thanks for all the beautiful posts! (and hope you're feeling better).

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