Category Archives: mammals

Muskrat of spring

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Alistair

Early in the spring, young muskrats start wandering in search of mates and new nesting sites. So, for the next couple of months, muskrats may be seen straying beyond their characteristic waterways. The muskrat sometimes gets a bad rap: … Continue reading →

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Attacked deer

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Alistair

Now and then, I am reminded that I am only able to glimpse at the lives of the wildlife around me. I see feeding, and furtive attempts to cross a road, but that is about it. However, occasional clues … Continue reading →

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Birds in the woods

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Alistair

Yesterday, I was asked if I were a birder. Probably not. I rarely look specifically for birds and rarely submit observations to birding sites. So, I probably don’t qualify. What I do do is to look for interesting things … Continue reading →

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White stripes

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Alistair

I was looking for a White-winged Crossbill. It is a somewhat uncommon visitor to the region — and one I had been challenged to find. I did find one, but, one somewhat obscured by branches. This crossbill doesn’t actually … Continue reading →

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Small antlers

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Alistair

White-tailed deer are a fairly common sight around the Lake. Usually, what is seen is a doe with fawns, and only occasionally a buck on its own. So, it was unexpected to see a buck and a doe browsing … Continue reading →

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Squirrel

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Alistair

When you go for a walk in the woods and see almost nothing except distant ravens, what do you do? You take a picture of a squirrel in a tree.

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January goulash

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Alistair

This is a collection of a few images, none of which had its own posting in January. A flock of geese is seen flying in front of the Purcell Mountains. In case anyone wondered why it is called a … Continue reading →

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Post-posting ponderings

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Alistair

The majority of my postings stand alone. Yet, sometimes following a posting, I continue to ponder it. This is a collection of five further ruminations made this last year. Speeding hare, Jan. 17, 2018 I was struck by the … Continue reading →

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December goulash

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Alistair

This is a compilation of a few images, none of which had its own posting in December. Indeed, December could be characterized as a month of sparse observations. Early in the month, Trumpeter Swans came through, but were often … Continue reading →

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Elk browsing

Posted on December 1, 2018 by Alistair

The elk were browsing. Generally, cervids (the deer family) partition their resources between grazing (root meaning: grass) and browsing (root meaning: buds) so as to limit competition in feeding. Grazers, such as elk, primarily eat grass; Browsers, such white-tailed … Continue reading →

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