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.
Category Archives: Animals
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.
CHIPMUNK (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
More chipmunk photographs from earlier this summer. With the colder weather setting in I hope this chipmunk has a good cache of nuts set aside. Judging by those cheeks I think he must have 😊.
CHIPMUNK (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I think this was a young chipmunk as it stayed quite close and watched me as I took some photographs of him. Young animals seem quite curious, this one was. I hope it grows up quickly because there’s a lot of danger lurking nearby.
RED SQUIRREL
Red squirrels will scatter when you approach but when they’re eating they often choose to stay put as this one did. He had the whole place to himself and was taking full advantage.
A FINE RED
I’ve photographed many red squirrels but I’ve never seen one with such striking highlights before. Perhaps it was the light and shadow that day. A fine little guy, enjoying his snack.
ALL EYES
While walking through the woods if you feel eyes on you, chances are one of these characters is watching you approach. Sometimes the squirrel will run off but often it will remain and and fix you with a look, like this one did.
RED SQUIRREL
I’ve featured quite a few photos of red squirrels. I find them very attractive, for their looks and lively temperament. This one was enjoying a snack by a well stocked feeder. The birds often scatter a lot of seeds on the ground, leaving tasty leftovers for the taking.
EASY LIVING
In mid summer, the living is easy for animals in our local reserve. At least it’s easier for this red squirrel than it is now with the approach of winter. The squirrels were busy in the fall hiding their winter provisions. This along with people feeding them, will help them make do until spring.
SENTRY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
If cats could bark, this one would have. He watched us intently as we stopped to photograph the house. He was as much a fixture of the house as its very solid looking foundation.
RED SQUIRREL
The way this squirrel is hugging the tree makes me think he’s a young one. Usually they are pretty spirited, chasing the larger grey squirrels or holding their ground as we pass them in the woods.
RED SQUIRREL
It’s nearly fall and time to get busy collecting food for the approaching winter. This squirrel was taking time out for a quick snack. Under the feeder the ground is littered with spent sunflower seeds. Occasionally though an intact seed falls to the ground for the lucky few.
HEADING HOME
Another country scene taken on a recent road trip. It was mid afternoon and something was calling the horses back to the barn. We watched as they returned at a slow and relaxed gait.
RED SQUIRREL (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The area under the feeder was carpeted with empty shells but there must have been a few seeds remaining for the red squirrel to eat. He was sharing the space with a few sparrows also looking for seeds dropped by the bigger birds.
GROUNDHOG (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This groundhog was taken from a distance which might explain his confidant stare. Normally they run away or stand motionless hoping to blend in to their surroundings. This is a city groundhog, I found his burrow close to a water treatment plant. A lucky find indeed.
VOLE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Field mice or voles, there is something pretty endearing about these little rodents. I’ve only seen the one and have featured it before though in different poses. They have a tough time of it as they’re prey to raptors and other mammals.
EASTERN GREY
Although this photo was taken in November, the trees were bare and the sky overcast. It looks more like mid winter than late fall. Of all the squirrels in our woods this variety of eastern grey is the most watchful.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 