Natures Seasons

Snow covers the ground and if last year is anything to go by will be here til April.

Some bird song I have been hearing for a couple of weeks, includes that of the Black Capped Chickadee with its slightly off tune whistle, its lovely to hear it again,it means Spring is coming. Listen to the Chickadee here:http://www.learnbirdsongs.com/birdsong.php?id=12

Woody Woodpecker is also back with his jackhammer, we have the huge Pileated woodpeckers in our woods and they honestly sound like pneumatic drills. Physical evidence of their presence is seen in the huge wood chips pecked out at the base of dead or dying trees, where the woodpeckers find their favourite food the carpenter ant. I have been able to follow the noise and sneak up on them at work and they are amazing to watch. The woodpeckers nest in our trees too; see info at:http://www.wildaboutgardening.org/en/features/section2/woodpecker/woodpecker.htm

We are still enjoying Red Squirrel sightings from our kitchen window,they are so annoyed when Crows and Jays dare to go near the bird feeder when some bit of food that they want is on the ground. The Blue Jays are one of my favourite birds here.

I am looking forward to seeing Spring unfold. We are enjoying sunny days and blue skies just now, much less snow than we expected - but there is still plenty of time for mountains of the stuff to fall!. We live in a dry area of Alberta and farmers count on the melting snow fall to jumpstart the short growing season.

Green Green Grass of Home

We overlook the Pembina river, nature all around and wildlife appearing daily. Spring came late to Alberta and then suddenly appeared, with the trees popping out shades of green and texture and shape and then blossom. Each day I see a new plant, some I identify to species in my native Scotland and I feel happy to know at least a little of what grows naturally here, others I need to research.

I can hear the grass growing!, I am still amazed that the brown earth that appeared after the snow melted could manage to produce anything green, but now the paths I have cut through part of our pasture are being enjoyed by my children, who delight in following the tracks and playing hide and seek in the long grass. Happy Days.