Sunday, January 15, 2012

We have had little snow and unseasonably warm temperatures
for most of this winter so when it threatened to get cold weather
warning were issued. At present it is -18 C / which I believe is - 4 F
nothing to get worked up about. I did notice that the house sparrows
were huddled at the base of the honeysuckle next to the feeder. And
every one I ran into, house sparrows, magpies and squirrels had set
their outfits to extra fluffy.





Almost looks stuffed doesn't he, and he seems  to be working on it.

I did notice that most of the wildlife I ran into today are
often considered pests the House Sparrows and Eastern Grey
Squirrels because they are non native and the native Magpies
because of the high concentrations in the city. I realize
that all can take a toll on other species, just as the vast roosts
of wintering starling can be a disaster if you live nearby.
However I do think there is some truth to the quote below, I
have noticed that people who really don't care about a native
species if it interferes with the placement of a mini mall
are all to happy to decry the presence of pest species.
Possibly many of us just don't like to share.

"Perhaps we project on to starlings that which we deplore in
ourselves: our numbers, our aggression, our greed, and our
cruelty. Like starlings, we are taking over the world."

Refuge
Terry Tempest Williams


But I also noticed on my walk that the snow had worked it
usual magic and even the ordinary has been subtlety
changed and lifted up and merited notice once again. And
over it all were woven the winter songs Chicka-dee-dee-dee-dee;
fee-beee and how can you not like them?


"Now the long freight of autumn goes smoking out of the land.
My possibles are all packed up, but still I do not leave.
I am happy enough here, where Dakota drifts wild in the universe,
Where the prairie is starting to shake in the surf of the winter dark."
 
                                                         Beyond the Red River
                                                                Thomas McGrath
 

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Good post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Guy said...

Hi Gary

Thanks all the best to you and Boomer.

Guy

Julie G. said...

Guy, wonderful post filled with lovely wintery photographs! Your images are so very delicate and beautiful. Meaningful thoughts, as well. A pleasure to visit your blog!

Guy said...

Hi Julie

Thank you for your visit and your kind comments.

All the best.
Guy

Kathie Brown said...

Nice photos from your walk. I like the quote by Terry Tempest Williams. My house sparrows are huddled down in the hedgerow also and only come out to eat. I had 10 cardinals in my yard today all at one time, the most I have ever seen here at once.

Guy said...

Hi Kathie

Wow 10 Cardinals, that is great, they are the bird I miss the most of the birds I saw when I lived in Ontario. PattiAnn Rogers wrote a wonderful poem about a cardinal called "Suppose your father was a redbird" if you have not read it I notice it has been posted on the internet. I did see a flock in DC which I really enjoyed.

Regards
Guy