The first week of March provided the usual conditions for this time of year. It felt like spring for a few days, then winter returned. Wind kept us home one day and I didn’t take my camera for two days due to falling snow, using my cell phone for photos instead.
The stream through the salt marsh was flowing again at the beginning of last week. Then the weather turned cold, the stream iced over and the flock of ducks disappeared again. The blue colour of the stream was remarkable that day.
A day later, it was mild again and the ducks were back. Fog in the bay added another element to the usual scene from the bridge.
Ducks were busy the rest of the week, flying around the marsh or chasing others in the stream. The male and female Mallards put on a show as we watched another day.
Along the walkway, I always stop in this area which has a lot of animal activity if it isn’t particularly windy.
A favourite of the Red Squirrels
and Bluejays,
the feeder is filled regularly by walkers to the area.
A favourite photo of the week was a chance photo of a Downy Woodpecker diving from one tree to another in that area.
Meanwhile, on a calm day, the resident Mourning Doves gathered in a tree overlooking the bridge.
Another day, it looked like an American Crow in the foreground and a Common Raven beside it on the bridge railing eating seed. More expert birders can correct me if I’m wrong.
Sometimes the best stories are of the non-photo events. Yesterday, it was snowing again and I left my camera home, relying on my cell phone for photos instead. As I stood in the area near the feeder for my usual few minutes there, I was buzzed by Black-capped Chickadees. The tiny birds expect food from walkers who stop. I didn’t have food with me but they didn’t give up. I could hear their wings all around my head.
As I held up the cell phone to take a photo, one of the birds landed on the top of my phone at eye level. No photos of course. Such an incredible experience looking into the face of that tiny creature about 30 centimetres away.
The little bird stayed for mere seconds but I was happy not to have reacted negatively and scared it off.
It was a memorable encounter and one I will talk about for some time.
41 comments:
Close encounters with birds are so cool. I once had a chickadee drop a seed from the feeder near which I was sitting. It landed on my chest and he flew down to collect it off me!
Your posts are always so calming.
How sweet to be eye to eye with a chik a dee.
Cathy
Chickadees are so remarkably fearless about landiing on humans, aren't they! I love them.
What a sweet encounter with that chickadee. Thanks for giving me such a smile to start my day.
I love that feeder that passersby keep replenishing. And I envy your chickadee encounter. I’ve had them but not for a long time.
Marie am sure that your encounter with the chickadee was amazing. Always think they look so dressed up with their black caps and tuxedo front and back. Sounds like they enjoy dancing too as they flittered around you. As always so enjoy your beautiful pictures. Am sure it will not be long until you are sharing some spring photos. Take care and have a wonderful week. Hugs
I love the squirrel and blue jay pictures. I don't like snow, but your pictures of the snow are always so pretty. I'd be talking about that bird encounter for a long time, too.
gorgeous pictures of the wildlife and such a great story about the chickadee. share that memory with your grandchildren, so the story lives on!! the moral of the story, never leave home without bird seed in your pocket!!
That is quite an encounter.. not to be ever forgotten.
How thrilling...a close encounter of the sweet creature. What a memory.
I really, really like the photo of the fog on the stream. It definitely is a photo worthy of framing. There is something magical about it. Oh yes, the downy woodpecker diving is spectacular too.
Sue
What a marvellous thing to happen. No doubt a film critic. Your diving woodpecker is an amazing shot.
Lesson learned, next time bring seeds. :)
Those memorable encounters are so special!
So sweet you made a bird friend!
Chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers seem to have discovered that they can get treats from us. They have the same behavior here on the trails.
What an amazing encounter with the chickadee! I've never been that close.
Love the shot of the squirrel and all of the birds too.
Here's hoping the spring weather continues and winter lets go!
I've always categorized chickadees as cheeky.
Close encounters with birds are rare but stay in the memories for long dear Marie 🥰♥️
I felt the warmth of your feelings at that particular moment 🤗😍
Coincidentally,last day when I was sitting closer in the veranda fence,outside the fence on the flower plant sat a tiny black bird with sharp blush shine . It was making whistling sounds and I returned and looked at him for a while until he flew away 🥹♥️
I enjoyed the first photo really so much,it fills my soul with joy and excitement that spring season is around the corner now and you will see able to admire vast and extended beauty of island soon 🤗😍
Lots to love♥️♥️♥️
Amazing and beautiful photographs and I love that squirrel, so lovely.
The story about the chickadees looking for food and landing on your phone is funny. What a fun experience. I enjoyed all your scenic photos and the birds photos. Take care, have a great day!
Looks like Winter is hanging around for a while longer. I always wonder where fair weathered critters go during cold weather swings. Diving birds are hard(er) to capture. Your feathered shots are consistently amazing! I will always remember the awe in my young sons eyes while holding a Chickadee. They are the cutest birds!!
What a thrilling experience, a chickadee up close.
Probably sending you a message to have seed ready next time. Creatures nowadays communicate better than ever.
Your photos are stunning!
I haven't been landed on by a chickadee, but a butterfly landed on my finger and stayed for about an hour! I haven't got a bird feeder but I think I should get one.
I wonder where do the ducks go to when they disappear?
You manage to capture so many different creatures and birds - wonderful :)
What a lovely close encounter with a bird. I do admire the bright colour of the blue jay. So striking.
You take such good bird photos, Marie. The encounter with the chickadee must have been heart-stopping. I once held a golden crowned kinglet in my hand briefly, and was just amazed at how light it was, and how delicate.
Great birds photos.
What a lovely and peaceful week you’ve had, filled with such beautiful encounters in nature! I can almost feel the changing weather as you describe it—spring teasing, then winter returning. The scene with the ducks and fog must have been so serene, and the moment with the Black-capped Chickadees sounds absolutely magical. How amazing that one landed on your phone, giving you such a close, intimate moment with the bird. It’s those unexpected, quiet moments that really stay with you, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing this story—it's a reminder to slow down and enjoy the small wonders around us!
What a fabulous encounter! Love the diving woodpecker, and that stream really is a stunning colour.
That photo of the diving woodpecker is wonderful. And I can imagine your delight over the chickadee. I had one land on my head one day on our local trail. It kind of shocked me but in a good way :)
OMG. Landed on your phone. How cool is that. Eye level. A truly fun thing. Love that. Happy Almost Spring. Heat on here still but nice out. Sunny. Pretty.
So much to love about this post, Marie. Number one, the hint of spring, especially seen in your first image. So many wonderful bird images, although some of the ducks sitting in the snow look horribly cold.The cutest squirrel image and that magical moment with the chickadee.
Wonderful photos! I really like the red squirrel and the blue jay in the feeder.
Even though you left the camera home as I would have done as well in bad weather, you captured lovely images with your phone. How wonderful to have such a great bird encounter.
What a remarkable encounter with a Chickadee!
Communion with nature is the very best experience of all, Marie - but I don't have to tell you that.
Memorable moments. A little bird landing on your phone was a rare and precious moment indeed.
Hello Marie :) I enjoyed seeing all your photos, but he little box feeder where people place food attracted the Beautiful Blue Jay and the cute squirrel which were a joy to see.
Marie,
What a magical moment! Sometimes the most unforgettable experiences are the ones we can’t capture in a photo, but instead, imprint on our hearts. The way you described the chickadees fluttering around you and that brief but profound eye-to-eye encounter made me feel like I was right there with you. Nature has a way of gifting us with these small, unexpected wonders when we least expect them. Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment—it’s a reminder to slow down, be present, and appreciate the simple joys around us.
John
Beautiful photos and nice and interesting reading! The blue bird is just fantastic, never seen one with that colour :)
Have a happy week & take care...
Titti
such a gorgeous squirrel and blue jay. Wow all that snow!!
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
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