Wildlife encounters at the cottage
Four hummingbirds were fighting over the last dredges of sugar syrup this morning. When the battle was over I refilled the red plastic feeder. Third time this week. A steady stream of tiny shimmering birds have been zipping over for a snack. It’s so popular they knock each other out of the way.
Even without any sweet enticement I have been fortunate this summer to spot plenty of wildlife at our Little Straggle cottage.
On a walk in the woods, I had a staring contest with a lone fox. He spotted me and stood utterly still in the forest. I admired his lustrous red coat and full bushy tail before heading on my way.
More colourful was the party of Blue Jays. I counted at least five. More lively too. They hollered and cheered as they swooped from tree to tree showing off their striking blue feathers. It looked like a fun party.
It seems the beaver has finished chipping away at our property and moved on to other woodsy groves. But early one morning I spotted him swimming across the still lake leaving his watery trail behind.
I got a good look at the lanky legs of a blue heron as it took flight a few meters from our dock. It’s neck doubled back on its shoulder as it opened its large wings into the air. An amazingly quiet flyer.
The loons on the other hand I can hear desperately flapping their wings to gain some altitude on the rare occasion they fly. A more common sight is in the water. It’s always a delight when a majestic loon pops up near the dock.
I was not so enthralled when a snapping turtle poked its head up at close quarters. I waited a good few minutes after watching its shadowy silhouette swim away before I ventured down the ladder.
My niece noted there are often dragon flies hovering around our dock. They dance, float, dive and zip about munching mosquitoes as they go. One day one of these luminescent flies landed on my toe. I didn’t even noticed the gentle landing. Not even a tickle.
A robin is quite tickled with the shallow waters around our rocky point. A nice spot for a bath. I watched him dip his yellow beak in the water, flip his head back and flap his wings under the spray. All in quick succession. Splash, flap, flap. Splash, flap, flap. Wash, rinse, repeat.
The family of mergansers have been cruising the shores in perfect single file fashion. Adorable. One of the four little ducklings broke formation one day. It hopped up on Mom’s back for a free ride. Another day, I saw the ducklings swim at hyper speed hearing Caramel’s bark. It’s astonishing how fast they propel their little bodies when motivated!
Always there was a delightful spiciness in the air and music of bird calls and the murmur and laugh of wood winds in the trees overhead
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
In the trees around the cottage, there is a symphony of sounds from the chirps of many little birds and the nattering of squirrels and chipmunks. The chippies are fond of our BBQ. My husband had to rescue one that was a little too cosy in there (the chipmunk was fine, don’t worry!)
The low and steady drone of the hummingbirds seems ever present. So tiny, yet so loud. Some wear a bright red collar, others a shimmering green coat. Some stand while drinking, others hover as their wings beat incredibly fast.
I am always glad I look in the direction of the approaching hum, or quack, or splash, or rustle of leaves, so I can catch a glimpse of nature’s spectacle.
