After all that quick rain in early January, the reduction in snow was remarkable. My roof was cleared of ice and snow, and the satellite dish was freed from obstruction. The flash freeze solidified things quickly and made for some unique mid-winter adventures.
Lakes that normally would need snow shoes, skis, snow mobiles or quads for mobility were now available for some footloose and fancy-free freedoms. A moderately cold weekend and overcast skies prompted me to go take a hike.
Walking on the lakes proved very interesting. With light breeze, small drifts of snow bubbled on the exposed ice allowing for patches of non-slippery surfaces to be used while making my way across the lake.
Although the ice was very thick, those mid-line cracks are always a wonder and my ears kept attuned to unusual sounds as my weight was distributed over the surface of the ice. It is the courting season for common ravens and it never ceases to amaze me the aerial antics they perform when trying to impress their mates.
Common ravens bond for life most of the time, so those well-established pairs are usually ahead of the game in nest-building and early egg-laying. Newer couples need to learn the skills of a successful family rearing, and sometimes pick inappropriate locations for nesting, much to Hydro One’s chagrin. As I cross the lake, everything is quiet except the odd vocalizations of the courting ravens.
Two birds fly close together at speed and in a straight line. They appear to be testing their strength, endurance and perhaps seeing who is fastest. A single bird in the distance is flying high. It begins a small dive then rolls in the air, holding the upside down position until gravity defeats the posture. There must be “someone” watching.
On the surface of the ice, there are tracks. The ever wandering tracks of one of Sudbury’s canine winter residents. Winter is a tough time to find food so any source is fair “game”. The tracks usually go along the lakeshore edge where the vegetation is thickest. Chance of a mouse is good if there is a seed source for the mouse.
The red fox tracks meander throughout the vegetative area with the odd scrapings and nose diving to get a better scent. Occasionally, they will cross the open area of the lake to get to the other side or an island and check it out. They are exposed when they do this and a bald eagle or a larger brush wolf might note whether the fox is weak and also fair game. Crossing at dawn, dusk or at night is far more likely, leaving only the tracks.
I look over at a distant island and the upper portions of the terrain are wind-blown. Some of the ground is even exposed brown as a result of the melt and wind. A large, smooth, speckled bump that looks a little out of place demands some binocular work. I am not disappointed.
A large female snowy owl is sitting on the ground, motionless except for the occasional turn of the head. She is looking for mice as well. I do not approach as I do not want to force her to fly. Energy saving is important and who know when she ate last. She watches me walk away from a distance.
I return to the car having literally walked on water. Of course, the ice had something to do with it. Snow will return soon and this type of adventure will have to be replaced by trekking on snow mobile tracks, another form of compacted ground that allows winter travel. We will see what next week brings.
Chris Blomme is an executive member of the Sudbury Ornithological Society and works with animals at Laurentian University. Have a question for Chris? Send it to [email protected].
