White Breasted Nuthatch - Grindstone Creek
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy
When we stepped out from the shelter of the tree's the wind cut like a knife. Whipping across the frozen marshes to find us then seeking out all the chinks in our armour. Fingers refused to work after a minute or two, glasses and camera viewfinder fogged up with each breath.
Welcome to Canada in the winter ...
I am always amazed at how anything survives our brutally cold winter season especially the birds. The tiny Chickadee's, the Nuthatch, and the Junco's; so small, so fragile and yet so resilient.
Grindstone Marsh in the Botanical Gardens, Burlington is a magical place in all seasons but in winter the tree's are alive with birds who over winter here and are well fed by the people who come for a walk and bring bags of bird food.
If you are up and about and are the first to break trail in a morning you are welcomed, first by flocks of chickadee's who then attract the larger birds.
Mr and Mrs Cardinal couples arrive, then the Blue Jays, all looking for a breakfast handout after a cold night
Just as suddenly as they arrive they vanish, the woods silent, no excited chirping, no 'chick-a-dee-dee' sounds.. Why?
Well if you look up you will see why, all this fuss has caught the attention of the local bad guy.
High above, the hawk circles looking for his breakfast too.
Everyone sits quietly until he moves on then they are back flocking around once more.
What a great way to raise your spirits on a cold morning to watch the antics of our feathered friends and to wonder how on earth they survived the night...
"Those little nimble musicians of the air, that warble forth their curious ditties, with which nature hath furnished them to the shame of art." ~Izaak Walton
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