Spring! A Time For Courtship

Well, friends, we are going back to the Kaleida Marshes. During springtime there's so much activity there. Today we focus on the American Coot. These birds are usually not very cooperative to pose for photos, but this evening they had other things on their mind.

This looks very calm and the reflection is lovely.

I am not an expert on these birds but I'm thinking this one is trying to attract a mate.

It looks like he/she has company, so off they go.

The action is at times quite vigorous. I enjoyed capturing way too many photos.

As the sun was setting, the action continued on the other side of me.Again, I can't say what is going on but I sure enjoyed watching it. Enlarging this photo will show a foot in the air, as if to say,"Stop".

Something To Think About:

Practice the pause. 

When in doubt, pause. 

When angry, pause. 

When tired, pause. 

When stressed, Pause. 

And when you pause, pray.  

Spring At The Marshes

 For those of you who read my posts, infrequent as they are, you have heard me talk about the Kaleida Marshes. These are about a 30 minute drive from my house, but with all the birds that come through there in spring, it is well worth the drive.

Come with me as we check out a few of the many water birds at the marsh.

Here a pair of Lesser Scaup glide along peacefully.

Of course many Canada Geese make this marsh their spring and summer destination.

The Blue-winged Teal is another common sight. Even though some of these birds are not brightly coloured, in my opinion they are still beautiful.

The Northern Shoveler could be mistaken for the male Mallard, but one look at that big flat bill and the name makes prefect sense. I always feel like that bill is a good shovel.

There are two different ducks that I tend to get mixed up. They are the Canvasback as the ones below and the Redhead. The coloration is similar, but the head shape is different.

I hope you enjoyed this short visit to the spring marsh.

To Think About:

Life is a Journey!

Each day represents a page in

your life. Wake up and be open

to the many opportunities and

possibilites in this world.

Clouds

Clouds fascinate me. This is an ever changing display. 

I know that these are not the most recent photos, but they were all captured this spring. 

In this first shot, you can still see some snow on the ground, which by now is mostly gone. But it was that sky that caught my attention.

On a recent drive down a country road, this scene was enough to make me stop and capture the moment.

Yes, another lonely country road and a sky filled with clouds. The clouds may have that stormy look, but even that has beauty written all over it.

This is in a neighbouring community. I am guessing that this area was prone to flooding, so they installed these culverts to make sure there was enough room for water to run through, instead of flooding the roadway.

Those dark clouds look menacing, but take note that the sun is shining brightly behind the clouds.

Something to Think About:

When life is getting you down, and you can’t see a way through.

Remember behind the darkest clouds there awaits a sky of blue.

Signs of Spring 2022

Yes, you read that right. 

The following pictures are from 2022.

Spring has been slow in coming this year so I made the decision to look back.

I enjoy the sight and sound of water bubbling over the rocks.

In early spring reflection can be seen in many small puddles of water.

Last year, while sitting on my deck, enjoying the warm sunshine, I was entertained by this Merlin.

At a local pond the Franklin's Gulls were busy.

The gulls are a fairly common bird, but I love their sleek looks.

 Most of the time I would encourage you to look ahead, to look for the adventures that await, but sometimes it is good to look back. I find that looking back at old pictures helps me to relive past moments.

To Think About:

Do not look back on happiness, or dream of it in the future.

You are only sure of today, do not let yourself be cheated out of it.

Henry Ward Beecher

Spring Raptor Migration

This time of year is exciting. Birds are making their way north to their summer homes. 

The Pembina Valley is one of the main migration corridors in Manitoba. Thousands of Eagles and Hawks make their way through this area every spring.

I had the chance recently to spend a few hours with a fellow birder, watching the spectacle in the sky.

Most numerous of the birds passing through is the Red-tailed Hawk, such as the one seen below.

Some smaller birds of prey also make their way through like this American Kestral, below.

As I said, the most numerous birds are the Red-tailed Hawk, but they come in varying morphs. Below is a dark morph, also known as a Harlan's Hawk, but is still a Red-tailed Hawk.

Of course there is no mistaking the beauty of a mature Bald Eagle. This one below is being followed closely by another Red-tailed Hawk.

As beautiful and majestic as the Bald Eagle is, seeing a Red-tailed Hawk in the blue sky is breathtaking.

 The beauty we see in nature all around us is reason enough to give Praise to the Creator who made all this.