Northern Exposures Photography

Spring Emergence

northernexposuresphotography — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:01:43 +0000

Common Garter Snake

The Common Garter Snake is one of the most common and easily recognized snakes in North America. Most have a pattern of yellow stripes on a brown or green background and grow to an average length of twenty inches. They are found in a wide range of habitats and elevations from woodlands to prairies, most often near water, feeding on small amphibians, fish, earthworms and rodents. Alternatively, they are a food source for birds of prey, foxes, raccoons, large fish, bullfrogs, snapping turtles and larger snakes.

In early spring, the males emerge first to be ready when the females wake up. There are far larger numbers of males, and that is why they form “mating balls” where two females may be swamped with up to ten males vying for the opportunity to reproduce. Between twelve to forty young are born between July and October.

The bite of this snake is non-venomous to humans, but may cause slight burning and itching and swelling. In addition to their camouflage, the Common Garter Snake may secrete a foul-smelling odour from glands when handled or harmed.

Drummer

northernexposuresphotography — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:49:40 +0000

Ruffed Grouse

A year round resident across Canada and the northern US states, the ruffed grouse is a large, thick bodied chicken sized bird with a rounded tail and a small crest on the head. Most often found in mixed forests with small clearings, they are very difficult to see due to its colouration and slow walk. The usual startling experience people have with this bird is when the ruffed grouse explodes off the forest floor in a flurry of wingbeats.

A familiar sound in forests, males drum with their wings, producing a deep thumping sound that increases in tempo to attract mates. Nests are typically a bowl-like depression on the ground of bead leaves and plant material, usually found at the base of a tree, stump or boulder. Females raise the young hatchlings alone, which leave the nest within the first day of hatching and immediately feed themselves. The Ruffed Grouse diet consists of buds, leaves, ferns, soft fruits and some insects.

In winter, this bird may dive into the soft snow to spend the night. Additionally, the sides of their toes grow projections in winter, making them appear like combs. These projections are believed to act like snowshoes to enable the bird to walk across snow.

Horsepower

northernexposuresphotography — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:58:07 +0000

Down on the Farm

The Canadian horse is descended from French stock that was sent to Canada in the late 17th century to develop a breeding program in “New France”.

During the 19th century, the breeding of different types of Canadian horses were developed for specific needs. One type of horse that was required was for farming, hauling heavy loads and other work that required pulling ability. A well muscled, heavy and calm horse was required and the “draft” horse was developed. Another horse was required to be light and agile for riding and the “saddle” horse was bred. Beginning in the late 19th century with the increased mechanization and the development of vehicles and tractors, the need for the draft horse was reduced. Today, these horses are most often seen in pulling competions and shows, although small numbers are still in use in smaller farms as well as those who prefer to farm with a renewable source of power. As with the draft horse, the saddle horse has also had its role greatly reduced. Today, they are primarily observed in equestrian events, horse racing venues and rodeos. A certain number are used by police forces for crowd control, traditional ceremonies and recreational riding. Perhaps one of the best known horse venues is the RCMP muscial ride.

Poor Man’s Myna

northernexposuresphotography — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:45:24 +0000

: European Starling

A native bird of Europe and western Asia, the European Starling was introduced to North America in 1890 in New York City. From the initial small population released of less than one hundred birds, the population estimate of this bird species is now two hundred million in North America. Their ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats and food sources, from coastal wetlands to alpine regions has allowed for their broad dispersal and establishment.

They are stocky birds, approximately eight and a half inches long with short tails, triangular wings and long pointed bills. In summer. the plumage is shiny black, with purple or green sheen, with yellow beaks and reddish legs. In winter, their plumage is brown and speckled with white, and the bills are dark, as the accompanying photo depicts. The white spotting is largely reduced in the breeding season, (in early spring and summer), by the white tips on the feathers wearing off. The European Starling is a noisy bird uttering a wide variety of sounds. In captivity, they will imitate all types of sounds and speech, which earns them the nickname the “poor man’s myna”.

A particular trait of this bird, is that during autumn and winter it is highly gregarious with flock sizes of thousands of birds being observed, and often travelling with grackles and blackbirds.

Limited Season

northernexposuresphotography — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:57:42 +0000

: Winter Retreat

Ice fishing is one of the more popular winter sports in Ontario, and may be done during any time of the day, with the most active times during dusk and dawn.

As conditions permit, the ice shacks are dragged or trailed onto the lakes behind an ATV, snowmobile or SUV. They are typically constructed of wood or metal and have runners on the bottom for transporting. Inside, and depending on the size, the ice shacks may be as basic as having only a bench over the holes or may be equipped with a stove, beds, and heaters.

In addition to the maps and surveys of lakes to assist in placing the ice shack on the ice, ice fishermen may now use sonar to show the shape and content of the lake bottom as well as indicating at what depth the fish are, and how to set the number and type of lines.

Ice fishing generates significant revenue to Ontario and local economies, from ice fishing package offers of numerous resorts, lodges and inns to the local bait and tackle shops. In most winters, ice shacks are on the lakes in early January, however, with the winter experience in Ontario thus far, the ice conditions in a number of locations is of poor quality or non-existent. With debate ongoing with respect to climate change, there is discussion that in the future, many areas of southern Ontario may no longer have ice fishing available as a winter sport and will be reduced elsewhere around the province.

Prolific

northernexposuresphotography — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:32:29 +0000

Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is one of the most abundant bird species found in North America. They are named for their soft and drawn out call, which sounds like laments. Their range includes all of southern Canada, the entire continental United States and the northern areas of Mexico. With their large numbers, believed to be 475 million individual birds, this species is also the leading game bird in North America, both for sport and meat. The ability to sustain the populations under this pressure is due to the prolific breeding of this bird: in warmer areas, a breeding couple may raise up to six broods per year, with a brood usually containing two eggs.

Adult Mourning Doves are usually up to twelve inches in length, with a plump body and relatively small head. The colouring of the sexes are similar, with a light grey and brown colour, which is generally muted. Their long pointed tails are unique to Northern American doves. The bird is a strong flier, often attaining speeds of up to 88km/h. with fast and powerful wingbeats. The wings make a characteristic and unusual sharp whistling sound on takeoff and landings.

Mourning Doves feed almost exclusively on seeds, and will often swallow grit such as sand or gravel to aid in digestion. They are usually ground foragers, eating what is readily visible. The species occupy a wide range of habitats including urban areas, farms, grassland and lightly wooded areas, but do avoid swamps and thick forests.

Wolf Moon

northernexposuresphotography — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:24:32 +0000

"Wolf Moon"

A full moon occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun, so that the face of the moon is completely illuminated by sunlight. Full moons rise around sunset and set near sunrise, the only day of the month when the moon is visible in the sky all night long.

The naming of full moons, correlating to the seasons, has been tradition dating back to the First Nations people of North America. As European settlement occurred, they carried on the custom. The full moon, which was observed yesterday, is known as the Wolf Moon in English lore. Other names that it is known as include; Hunger, Storm or Candles Moon. In the Algonquin First Nation people of Ontario, this moon is known as the Snow Moon. This name of the moon in February coincides with the time of year where food may be scarce and heavy snowfalls experienced.

Full moons have traditionally been associated with insomnia or insanity (thus the terms lunacy and insanity), though there does not appear to be any consistent evidence to suggest these effects on humans, although numbers of people in the general population and those involved in law enforcement, health care and social workers may have a different opinion.

No Longer Required

northernexposuresphotography — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:17:01 +0000

Old barns like certain species of plants and animals are becoming “endangered”. With the shift in the agricultural economy to large and intense operations, from the small family farms, large numbers of barns and homesteads are now abandoned.

As agriculture has progressed, the requirement for barn construction include; hydro, running water, heating, cooling and building materials with a longer life span than wood. The old barns become neglected, increasing the maintenance and insurance costs substantially. Additionally, the old barns housed animals in the winter that provided heat, ensuring the ground did not freeze. As the animals were moved, this allowed the annual freeze and thaw cycles to begin, which is one of the key reasons barns are literally falling apart.

Perhaps a greater threat to the older barns is urban sprawl. As populations increase, the demand for land for new housing and development is pressuring and competing with older agricultural areas for space.

There is a growing business for reclaiming the timbers and wood from old barns. The wood is then used for flooring, mantels and timbers. On rare occasions, the old barns are in a sufficient condition to be disassembled, moved to a new location and then raise the structure again to become the core of a new building and preserve a piece of history.

Upsidedown and Sideways

northernexposuresphotography — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:18:35 +0000

White Breasted Nuthatch

The largest of nuthatches, the White Breasted Nuthatch, is still a small bird, no longer than five to six inches in length, a ten inch wingspan and a short tail and a long narrow pointed bill.

These birds are active and agile, feeding mainly on insects and seeds. Nuthatches are often observed creeping along the trunks and branches of trees probing into the bark for food. Like other nuthatches, they often probe upside down and sideways on vertical surfaces as they forage. This ability is due to their extra long hind claws, (as depicted in the accompanied photo), giving them the superb balance. Their common name is derived from the habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then striking them with their bill to “hatch” out the seeds inside.

The White Breasted Nuthatch is a non-migratory bird occurring across southern Canada, most of the United States to northern Mexico. Their habitat is a preference of mixed woodland areas, with hollow oak trees for nesting.

Backyard Visitor

northernexposuresphotography — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:54:11 +0000

American Goldfinch - Male Winter Plumage

The American Goldfinch is a small finch (4-5 inches) long and is distributed in a wide area across North America. The winter range is from southern Canada, through the United States to northern Mexico. This finch is a short distance migrant during periods of cold weather and lessened food supplies. During a migration, they are observed in compact flocks, with the flight pattern erratic and wave-like in their appearance.

The usual habitat of this bird are open fields, meadows and areas of open woodlands. They feed primarily on seeds of weeds and grasses, but will occasionally feed on insects, which are also fed to its young as a source of protein. Human activity has generally benefited this finch and will often feed at bird feeders in winter. A particular favourite food at the feeders being Niger (or Thistle) seeds. Their beaks are small and conical which aids in the extraction of seeds from sunflower, thistle and other plants. Additionally, unlike other finch species, this bird uses it feet extensively when feeding, by hanging onto the seed heads to reach the seeds more easily. This dexterity enables it to feed on a larger variety of plants and increases it chances for survival.

The American Goldfinch undergoes a molt in the spring and fall, and is the only finch member in its subfamily to molt twice a year. During the winter molt all feathers are shed; in the spring, all feathers are shed with the exception of wing and tail feathers, which are dark brown in the female and black in the male. Once the spring molt is complete, the male displays its typical bright yellow body colour, jet black cap on the head and a white rump. This bright colouring is used for the attraction of a potential mate. The female is mostly brown, with lighter brown shades on the undersides and a yellow bib. Following the autumn molt, both sexes appear similar, with the plumage becoming dull with an olive-brown colour above and buff below; the male displays yellow shoulder patches. In addition, the beaks, which are usually pink through the year, become a bright orange in both sexes following the spring molt.