March goulash

 

This is a collection of images from March, each of which lacked a posting of its own.

Such observations of nature serve as a balm to my own increasing social isolation. These are creatures oblivious to our present angst. After all, nature doesn’t need people; it is people who need nature.

Yellow-bellied Marmots are impervious to issues of social distancing. Interactions just carry on.

A Red-tailed Hawk couple is seen on distant trees. The female (lower left) is 11% longer and so about 35% heavier than the male (upper right). This sexual size difference is typical for red tails.

Earlier, the female Red-tailed Hawk is seen with a small creature sticking out of the side of its bill.

Around here, the Northern Shrike is an uncommon bird of the cold weather. Yet, I see one most often in March and April. These are the shrikes passing through here as they migrate from south to north. Although the shrike is a songbird, it is a wannabe raptor. It has the raptor’s hooked bill, but lacks its grasping claws. 

On adjacent days, I saw a juvenile Bald Eagle. Seen first hunting from the air, and next hunting from a perch, it is likely the same bird.

Is this the same bird as above? The colour here seems browner, but then the lighting is different.

Just as with the shrike, we are experiencing an uptick in sightings of Ring-necked Ducks (male left, female right) as they migrate north past our region. The duck is named for the rather faint ring around the base of its neck.

But, the Barrow’s Goldeneye Duck (female left, male right) will now be declining in number with the passing of the winter.

Here is yet another swan. However, this is the less common Tundra Swan, and it is flapping.

 

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7 Responses to March goulash

  1. birthe says:

    Such a great collection Alistair. I particularly enjoyed the photo of the yellow-bellied marmots. thank you so much for giving us a look at creatures that do not have to self-isolate.

  2. sarah says:

    Great shots – thanks! Enjoyed marmot and shrike especially

  3. Karen Pidcock says:

    Thanks for bringing us out with you to some of the surrounding critters, Alistair; but I’ll be darned if I can figure out what I’m seeing of the yellow-bellied marmot!

  4. colleen says:

    Thanks so much for the Goulash! I have been meaning to give my thanks for all the great photos and pure enjoyment you give me. It makes my day!
    That is a perfect photo of the Northern Shrike. After a closer look at the bill I understand why he is a raptor whannabe.
    Thanks again for sharing!

  5. Trevor Goward says:

    Hi Alistair

    Just a note of well-wishing from our household to yours at a time when those who meaningfully engage with the living world are truly the lucky ones – the ones for whom winter, even now, blossoms into spring.

    Take good care.

    Trevor

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