Wildlife Report

Just saw a beautiful white-tailed deer on the lawn.  Paul had just cut the grass, we were chilling in the gazebo, and suddenly there she was, walking casually down the grass path from the woods.  Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, but I can tell you that she was a lovely creature, a warm brown colour with bright eyes and the classic white tail.  She paused and looked at us for a few moments, twitched her ears, flicked her tail, and then ambled down the trail back towards the woods.

This set me thinking about all the animals we've seen since we arrived here.  We've seen plenty of moose tracks and scat in the woods, but had not actually seen a moose:



Moose track. 

Then one morning, suddenly and to our astonishment, there was Mrs. Moose, standing at the bottom of the garden:



This picture was taken from the kitchen window, which is quite a long way away, hence the poor quality. 



She looked in our direction, sniffed the air, then turned and walked back into the woods.  It was a real privilege to see her, and it really made our day!

We have an abundance of wetland wildlife as well, due to our pond and the general health of the forest and garden, which has always been organically maintained, and so frogs are a common sight:



This green striped frog was hanging out on the forest trail.  We've also seen green spotted frogs in the potato patch, and brown frogs near the pond.  Grass snakes (garter snakes) are also abundant, much to my husband's disgust.  (We have a mutual agreement: I tackle snakes, he tackles spiders)



Mr. Brown Frog chilling on a leaf.

Of course, as in any healthy garden, we also have birds, butterflies and bees.  There are so many bees, actually, when you walk past the spirea it sounds like a buzz-saw convention. 



Here is one bee who managed to stay still long enough for me to take his picture.  His legs are packed with pollen.



A butterfly enjoying a chive flower.



A flock of goldfinches in the silver willow.



Somewhere in this picture there are brook trout.

We've also seen Mrs. Grouse and her babies, at the bottom of our road.  Apparently in Cape Breton, a grouse is called a partridge.


So, the comprehensive fauna list, to date, goes like this:

Seen:

Moose
Beaver
White-tailed Deer
Grouse & Chicks
Coyotes
Red Fox
Black Bear
Monarch, Tiger Swallowtail & Black and White Admiral (?) Butterflies
Bees
Eagle (at Baddeck)
Heron (at Baddeck)
Falcon or Hawk (?)
Whimbrel or Snipe (?)
American Goldfinch
Robin
Chickadee
Swallow
Hummingbird
Woodpecker
Raven
Crow
Blue Jay
Vole
Mouse
Bat
Chipmunk
Toad
Green striped Frog, Green spotted Frog, Brown Frog
Brook Trout
Garter Snake
Many varieties of bug: blackfly, mosquito, beetle, woodlouse, dragonfly, moth, deer fly, house fly, and many more.

Seen tracks only:

Hare
Lynx

Heard:

Hooded Owl

I think that's it for fauna for now.  Next post will be flora!

All Creatures Great and Small

I like lists.  So I made a few, detailing the numerous animals, birds and other living things seen (or evidence of, i.e. scat, tracks) on and around the property while we were there. 

Animals seen

Bear
Fox
Chipmunk
Mouse

Evidence of (scat or tracks)
White-tailed Deer
Moose
Beaver
Coyote

Birds seen
Robin
Chickadee
Downy Woodpecker
Raven
Hawk
Greenfinch
American Goldfinch
Cardinal
Hummingbird
Thrush
White-throated Sparrow

As well, a mystery bird that I can't identify:  robin-sized, yellow bill & throat, speckled/white tummy, blue/black back, long tail.  Anyone??

Seen at Baddeck
Bald Eagle
Heron

Fish
Speckled/brook trout (small, but edible!)

Insects/Amphibians
Bumble Bee
Bullfrog
Spring Peeper
Water Boatman
and of course: blackfly, mosquito (dnw! gtfo!)

I failed to get a photo of the absolutely gorgeous fox who came sniffing around our deck.  He was a soft auburn colour and had a glorious bushy tail.  He looked very healthy. 

I did however get quite a few pics of the black bear that has apparently been used to taking his breakfast in our vegetable patch (the house has been empty for almost 3 years).  He ambled into the garden at 9 o'clock on a bright sunny morning, and proceeded to nosh quite happily on various herbs and plants.  He did no real damage, just grazed and browsed his way around the garden.   Dandelions seemed to be a particular favourite.  He was evidently comfortable enough to lie down and chomp away for a while, oblivious to our presence.  Paul eventually came out and sat on the deck (sensibly armed, just in case) and the bear didn't even bat an eyelid.  It was only when he stood up and made a bit of noise that Mr. Bruin took notice, but still didn't bolt, just casually lumbered away. 



I couldn't believe a bear would come out in broad daylight.



Beautifully healthy-looking black bear, around 300 lbs.



Breakfast time!



Having a good old nosh.





Snacking on dandelions.



Bear-watching ...

Note:  I took these photos through a window.  You don't want to get too close to a bear, even if he approves of your veggie garden!

Further note:  Mr. Bruin has come back a couple of times since.  Paul let off a warning shot over his head both times ... and hopefully that's done the trick.  The last thing we want to do is have to shoot him, but he has to learn that the garden is no longer his private grub stash.

I haven't been very successful at capturing birds with my camera ... I think I'm going to have to put a telephoto lens on my wish list.  Here are a couple of shots that I did get:



Cardinal



Not sure what this is ... looks a bit like a plump chickadee but has yellow belly & throat. 



Hummingbird at dusk




We've had a few mishaps with birds flying into the windows.  Chickadees do it on a regular basis against the back kitchen window but seem to escape unscathed, but this little green finch wasn't so lucky.  (if this is not a green finch, please feel free to correct me!)  And yes, I take photos of dead birds.  I'm weird like that.

Paul had to bury a huge hawk that also met its demise against the window.  At first he thought it was an owl.  He's been given back to Mother Nature ...



Scat we found in a clearing in the woods. I'm thinking deer?  We also saw moose tracks, and coyote scat.  [Edit: It is moose scat.]



A robin admiring (or ignoring?) our lovely crop of daffodils.