The onset of winter in Alberta is bittersweet. The change in seasons seems to happen overnight. You wake up one morning, look outside the see everything is covered with snow and you realize you're into it. Yet, you can't deny how beautiful and clean it all is.
For the past 10 years we've gone south for the winter. This year however, we've decided to tough it out in Alberta. Covid-19 cases are relatively low here compared to Arizona and the other states.
This family of otters seem to be trapped on the wrong side of the ice. They were spotted walking across Lac La Nonne towards Moonlight Bay where there was still open water near a beaver lodge. In this photo they appear quite small but in fact they were about 3 ft in length and it only took minutes to run the half mile across.
Pileated Woodpeckers hang around all winter so if you feed them, they'll keep coming back.
Medium sized female Downy Woodpecker
Male Downy Woodpecker. The male has a small red patch on the back of his head.
Blue Jays virtually take over the feeders with their aggressive behavior. They seldom eat at the feeder but instead will take seeds away and store them elsewhere.
The new platform feeder should keep the birds around for most of the winter.
Female Pine Grosbeak
Three males and a female Pine Grosbeak enjoying sunflower seeds.
Pileated Woodpecker dining at the suet feeder
