On the Wild Side

Male Northern Flicker

One of the bird species living here year round.  This handsome fellow came into the garden area one evening to search for grubs or ants in the soil. 

  

Cottonwood Seed Fluff

There is a large cottonwood tree growing just a short walk from the house, and this past week it released its seed fluff into the air.  Some of it settled on the ground directly below the tree making it seem as if it had snowed. This is a beautiful deciduous tree of the genus: populus that is native to this region of the province, and it can usually be found growing near lakes and rivers. 

Saskatoon berries developing

Paintbrush

Wild Rabbit

We see the wild rabbit every second day or so when he comes out of the forest to have a meal of clover.  I'm happy to say that he hasn't tried the lettuce yet.  He is very cautious, preferring to remain near the trees where he can easily dash to safety. 

Spring Has Sprung

Saturday

I've been walking past this Cottonwood tree every day lately just to catch a whiff of its wonderful springtime fragrance.

For a time, I watched a busy bee buzzing and foraging among the topmost branches of a willow.

It's great to see the stands of Poplars leafing out again. They are one of our most prolific trees, providing shade for us during the hot summer days.

Sunday

I zoomed in quickly (with my camera) to take this picture of the Mourning Cloak butterfly while it rested for a moment or two on a dry and brittle fireweed stalk. Yesterday, I saw two of them chasing each other, first fluttering closer to the ground, then rising upwards to the sky. They seem to like this open spot where the fireweed grow.