Homestead Life... Enjoying the Wildlife

Spring: a season of new births and anticipation

My love of nature and wildlife finds me eager with anticipation in Spring, when Mother Nature decides to release her icy grip on the earth and allow the sun to melt away the last dredges of winter's chilly hours. I eagerly seek out the signs of new life blooming in both flora and fauna, delighting in small successes of freezing time through the lens of my camera. As winter nears its end, two resident ravens have made their home near the homestead. They follow me daily from my house to where I keep my horse. In the words of my sister who witnessed both ravens and Canadian Jays following me, "you are just like Snow White with all the little creatures running after you"! Some days as I do my chores, I really feel it is true, and....

Hi ho hi ho it's off to work I go

Previously there was another long-standing raven couple, of at least four years (ravens are monogamous and partner for life), who nested here and successfully raised a family every year. Sadly, two years ago they nested and while I observed signs of young, one day the nest was gone and the parents along with. It had been a particularly brutal spring with horrid snows and extreme cold weather. I am not sure if the nest fell apart overnight due to the high winds, taking the babies with it, or if it was vandalized; no matter the reason, the parents decided to leave. I miss the continual presence of these smart birds, so accustomed to my actions they would waddle around on the ground around me scavenging for treats and never fly away. The new couple have yet to become that brave.

Summer: the warmth of the season reveals an abundance of wildlife

The northern boreal forest is home to many species of animals and birds, from the tiniest vole to bears, moose, coyote, fox and more, along with a wide menagerie of birds. Much of the wildlife tends to be nocturnal, meaning they are more active at night, so it is often luck should you see them during daylight hours. There are summers when flocks of pelicans have been known to frequent our little lake, along with cranes and a never-ending stream of loons and their babies around every bay. Foxes with their kits and bears trailing their offspring are seen quite frequently. From a distance you will often see otters frolicking in the waters and beavers are truly as busy as they are said to be. Eagles perch in the tops of trees, majestic and strong. This summer it was wonderful to see the juveniles learning to fly. Elusive owls are heard but not seen, they are truly masters of camouflage. The grouse and their tiny young are a delight, but the characteristic stealthy walk of an adult makes me wonder how they are able to stay alive without being caught by a predator every time. I relish the evenings when I see the bats swooping to and fro feeding on mosquitoes. Forget the story that "bats will fly into your hair, bite, or attack you". Often misunderstood and feared, bats are actually delightful creatures who are more of a benefit than a nuisance and will avoid you at all costs. Autumn/Fall: there is much preparation to do In the Fall, I love to watch as the chipmunks scurry around amongst the thistles searching for tasty morsels, while the squirrels toss acorns from the tops of the pines by the bushel full. Every creature is preparing for the long winter ahead. There are few birds who cache their food; ravens and the Canadian Jay are two that do. My dogs often find little caches buried in the snow instead of in the trees where it would be expected. It is in summer though when I often see both these species fly from tree to tree retrieving food and returning to their nests to feed their young. Throughout the seasons, they continue to follow me in anticipation of a helping hand, but I am sure it is most appreciated during the baby raising season when hungry fledglings have their parents on the run continuously. Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Red Polls, and Chickadees are regulars at our feeders and willingly share the bounty prepared for them with a few local grey squirrels, and it is not uncommon to see magpies joining the party. Winter: a cold wind blows, chilling me all the way from my nose to my toes I have been lucky enough to have observed a lynx and foxes in our yard hunting for mice. The beauty of their presence as they patiently wait, cocking their heads to listen, then gracefully pouncing upon their prey is a precious site. The yipping of the coyotes, their haunting voices a song in the night, is a reminder we are never alone because they lurk nearby. This, the winter season, is the best season to really see what wildlife resides in the area and how close they have come to the homestead. Their tell-tale tracks the proof we cannot deny. Daily the most common tracks to see are mice, squirrel, rabbits, foxes and sometimes coyotes. On rare occasions I will also see moose tracks and the long skid marks of the otter tells me they are just out having some fun.

The land belonged to the wildlife first

I feel so blessed to witness all the wildlife I see here on the homestead, not everyone has that opportunity. Human encroachment upon their habitat, forest fires, and climate change are all playing a part in their movement northward. Wildlife we do not have here yet includes the likes of raccoons, badgers, skunks, gophers and cougars to name a few, however, their have been a few sightings of cougars in the area over the last few years, a sure sign that nature has had to adapt.

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