This is the only time I’ve seen a groundhog emege from its burrow. Although I’ve posted the photo before, I thought it was a timely encore.
Category Archives: Animals
I Couldn’t Eat Another Bite
The chipmunk had a very successful raid of this garden. I took a lot of photos of him with his cheeks stuffed with nuts. Unfortunately my settings were off and this was the only reasonably sharp shot I got.
Groundhog
Groundhogs are true hibernators and usually hibernation begins in late October and lasts through March. We’ve had up and down temperatures and the grass is still nice and green so maybe the locals will delay their long winter nap for a while.
RABBIT RUN
As I was walking along the sidewalk I saw this rabbit bounding across a lawn. I was using a wide angle lens so I had to crop in quite a bit but I think catching it mid hop made the shot!
Eat Your Greens
It could have been Groundhog Day at the park. We spotted at least four. They tend to be solitary but it’s a big park with enough grass for all 😊
EARLY SPRING
Yesterday was Groundhog Day in Canada and the United States. Two famous Canadian Groundhogs, one from Quebec and another from Nova Scotia predicted that we will have an early spring as neither saw their shadow. It seems their American pal is in agreement .😊
CLEVER CAT
Walking through the local arboretum we heard rustling in the underbrush. After a few minutes a large cat appeared. It sat and looked around and wasn’t in a hurry to leave. It didn’t have a collar so we presumed it was wild and made its home here. Judging by its healthy appearance it knew how to fend for itself.
EASTERN CHIPMUNK
Chipmunks are getting ready for winter; gathering as much food as they can and preparing their dens for the cold months to come.
CHIPMUNK
I stopped and watched this cute little guy as he paused between bites to look at me. I finally walked away and left him to his snack.
GROUNDHOG IN THE GREEN
I’m always surprised at how hefty groundhogs look as their diet consists mainly of grass and the contents of people’s vegetable gardens 😏. They hibernate from late fall through the winter so right now they’re working on their fat reserves.
CAT IN THE GREEN
This lovely cat watched me intently as I took its photo. It continued to stand guard even as I moved along.
COY COTTONTAIL
The rabbit wasn’t really very shy. When I walked into the clearing it looked up at me but then continued eating the grass not bothered at all.
EASTERN COTTONTAIL
I was surprised the Cottontail didn’t run off when it saw me. We both froze and I got the shot.
CAT WATCH
The window was rain streaked but it didn’t block the cat’s view of the street. It seemed content to stare, so I took my photo and left him to it.
WHAT THE CAT SAW (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I couldn’t see what the cat saw but it definitely had something in its sights.
CURIOUS SQUIRREL
The black squirrels we see in Ontario are a subgroup of the Eastern Grey Squirrel but when I saw this squirrel with its unusual blond tail I thought the light was playing tricks on my eyes 😏. Another interesting discovery on a neighbourhood walk.
WAITING IT OUT
With the continuing cool temperatures you can’t blame the raccoon for not giving up its snug quarters. Spring is taking its time around here.
CHIPMUNK
I think this was a young chipmunk given how tolerant he was of my presence. I hope he grew up quickly, it’s a dangerous world for these little animals.
BLACK SQUIRREL
We’re lucky to have a variety of squirrels in the area including the black squirrel. They’re a real standout, particularly in the Fall.
AT HOME
Raccoons are becoming more common in cities as their habitat shrinks and with it their sources of food. I saw this raccoon at a reserve one day. I watched as it moved silently through the water looking for something to eat. It kept an eye on me but carried on with its search.
RED IN BLACK AND WHITE
Red squirrels are active all year round. When it gets very cold they retreat to dens in tree trunks but even so you often see them about if only briefly. They also depend on food that they have cached during the fall; frozen berries and buds.
LEAVE IT TO BEAVER (AND THE GEESE)
An iconic Canadian scene (taken in early April as the lake began to thaw) a far cry from the siege-like images right now in Ottawa.
ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET
The rabbit doesn’t have the best table manners but at least its eating healthy 😏
STEADY GAZE
Late in the season some wildlife seem less skittish around people. Either they’ve gotten used to our presence or just hoping to be fed.
PULL UP A CHAIR
There’s plenty to eat but I’m not sure if this squirrel is willing to share. 😏
CAT IN THE WINDOW
The cat in the window struck a regal pose, something they do so well. There are a lot of indoor cats in this downtown neighourhood. When the weather gets milder I’ll have to photograph more of them.
BASHFUL
The chipmunk’s pose showed off his fine racing stripes 😊
SIMPLY RED
This red squirrel blends in very well to his environment, particularly in fall.
ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU
I saw this Labrador Retriever one day on a walk. He wasn’t bothered by me or my camera, never so much as barked as I took a few shots. Too busy watching his owner at the foot of the driveway.
BUSY SEASON (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
As the end of summer approaches it’s time to prepare for the colder weather. It looks like the chipmunk above is doing a little product sampling.
DON’T FENCE ME IN
I saw this bull dog in a small fenced in lawn. He turned away as I approached but I did get his handsome profile.
CAT
A cat enjoying the sun on a warm afternoon.
READY, SET, GO (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Chipmunks always appear energetic, this one in particular!
PATIENT PAL
We walked past this Basset Hound on our way to the store and he hadn’t budged on our return. A study in patience.
ON A WALK
I almost missed seeing this little meadow vole or field mouse as it quietly moved through the leaf litter. If it sensed my presence it didn’t show it.
WATCHFUL
These squirrels are quite common in my area and in the same family as the eastern grey squirrel. They often run off as you approach but not this time.
PICNIC IN THE PARK
This grey squirrel was tucking in as I passed. A felled tree makes a nice surface for dining and hikers often leave seeds and nuts for birds and squirrels, particularly in the colder months. I was glad to see that this diner was well fed.
QUIET COMPANY
The woods in winter are quiet; the only sounds are my boots on the snow and the wind in the trees. I wasn’t alone though, as I looked up I saw this squirrel looking down at me.
CHIPMUNK
Now that the weather has turned cold, I hope this chipmunk remembers where he has hidden the food he was busy collecting. It’s going to be a long winter.
RACCOON
On passing a lean-to in the reserve, I saw this raccoon ambling about. I think he had found something to eat on the floor and just gave me a passing glance as I walked by.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 