This is a small collection of December’s pictures that lacked a posting of their own. December was an unfortunate month that was remarkably cold during its middle portions with animals and observers biding their time. Nevertheless, there were some truly delightful observations. They are presented in the order they were observed.
This is a young male mule deer. He has all the characteristics: black-tipped white tail, dark forehead, and largish ears (after which he gains his name). He looks remarkably young with his small barely branching antlers. Yet, he has a spouse and has sired a fawn, to which he is very attentive.
We are near the northern boundary of the winter population of the Varied Thrush. Sometimes the bird is plentiful as it explores its northern boundary; at other times, it seems absent. On this occasion it was plentiful.
A male Pileated Woodpecker was probing a utility pole for grubs.
In the early hours of the morning, a bobcat stopped by my home. It was only the second time I had seen this animal. On its wanderings, it came within about a half metre of me. One might think that this could be a ordinary house cat. But no, it was considerably larger, and do admire the small short black tufts on the ears.
Beautiful to see each creature. I’ve never seen a varied thrush. How lovely. I don’t live too far from you, only half an hour.
We too have seen a large number of Varied Thrush over the past few weeks in Surrey. My photos are nowhere near as detailed and beautiful as yours Alistair. Thank you.
Thanks for your 2022 offerings. Best wishes for another beautiful year in nature. We have had exactly one lone Varied Thrush come by each year for the past 3 years, to spend a little time picking at a part of the lawn where it’s been cleared of snow. I’m somewhat puzzled by the fact that the swallows didn’t return to the upper parts of our house, for the first time in 40 years.
Ho Ho HAH! Happy Old Year..and Happy New Year Alistair!! Thank you for your blog and photos..always a treat to get your email blog..and the photos are to marvel at..
See you next year! Allan
Those photos are gorgeous. We too have quite a few thrushes coming through in North Vancouver. But no deer! Your photos and blog are always an upper in my inbox.
All the best in 2023!
Happy new year!
We currently have several thrushes who visit us on a daily basis, along with a large number of chickadees, a flicker couple and two large fluffy coyotes with ill intentions.
However, this headcount is certainly topped by your marvellous bobcat. I think you have already taken the 2023 calendar cover!