January 26, 2014: Blue Jay

365 Project, Day 155

Here is my day 155 submission to my 365Project:

It was a beautiful sunny day this afternoon in Edmonton and the birds and squirrels were out in full force. Normally in Victoria I must get out and take some photos when the animals are around and the sun is out. The one thing I didn't take account of is how different it is to be taking photos outside in the sun in -15C. I didn't last more than 20 minutes before it started to feel like frostbite was going to set into my fingertips. Typically on a sunny afternoon like this in Victoria I would spend an hour or two wandering around taking pictures but this just wasn't possible in Edmonton. 

A real Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)...we only get the Steller's Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) around Victoria so photographing one of these guys is a treat for me

Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

January 18, 2014: Play time!

365 Project, Day 150

Here is my day 150 submission to my 365Project:

Here are some photos of some entertaining dogs I photographed while walking along Dallas Road on the Victoria Waterfront. This doberman and dalmation had a great time romping around on the grass...although I'm not too sure the doberman is too pleased with what is going here!

I loved this big shaggy guy running along with his rasta style hair flowing as he ran! 

Play time!

October 4, 2013: Getting Ready For Winter

365 Project, Day 97

Here is my day ninety-seven submission to my 365Project:

The Eastern Gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are busy gathering their winter stash here in New Brunswick :)

Fun fact of the day:

Apparently, as successful as they are, Eastern Gray Squirrels live only 11-12 months on average, but some individuals have survived more than ten years in the wild. The main factors affecting their survival include the severity of winter, abundance of food and parasites. One parasite, the mange mite, may cause enough hair loss to threaten survival through winter. 

Read more about Eastern Grey Squirrels at Canadian Wildlife Federation and Encyclopedia of Life webpages.

Also read about this invasive species in Victoria, BC, at this Royal BC Museum webpage. 

Here are some more photos from around Fredericton this afternoon:

 Lovely pine fall colours

Love the straight on profile of this sparrow's head...so cute!