By ANN BROKELMAN Do the animals know that Valentine’s Day was last week? Or wait a minute, did we pick Valentine’s Day based on the behaviour of the animals? I’m not sure about that, and Google does not give me a clear answer, but what I can tell you from my own experience is that […]
By ANN BROKELMAN Over the years I have come across several injured animals. While many of those stories have ended sadly, this article is meant to be uplifting and, as such, will be about the amazing ability of wildlife to survive, despite missing limbs, paws or even eyes. Meet Nobel: a one-eyed barred owl. Nobel […]
By ANN BROKELMAN Some people say that I’m just unnaturally lucky when it comes to animal sightings. My husband might say that ‘anyone’ who spends as much time outside and looking as I do is bound to see something once in awhile. I honestly just think it’s because my eyes have been ‘trained’ to look […]
By ANN BROKELMAN I don’t usually write stories about the times I saw yet another robin hunting for a worm, or a duck with its rump sticking out of the water, or when there’s a hawk perched in one of my trees. I’d love to, as I love all these moments, but the stories I […]
By ANN BROKELMAN While I, of course, love all the seasons, I truly believe that now is the best overall time for everyone, expert and amateur alike, to get out and enjoy nature. Take a walk and look around, go down to the waterfront and sit on the beach or on some of the big […]
By ANN BROKELMAN When people ask me about birds, I often forget about, and then feel silly for forgetting about, crows. However, it would be silly to ignore the intelligence and interesting behaviours of these remarkable birds. They aren’t just smart, they are extremely intelligent. They can hide food and remember where they’ve left it, […]
By ANN BROKELMAN If a COVID-19 quarantine wasn’t a factor, how many of you normally love the summer for its sunbathing, swimming, going to cottages, and other hot weather activities? Not me! I can’t stand the summer heat and humidity. I, generally speaking, would prefer to just hibernate and wait till the late fall. Thankfully, […]
By ANN BROKELMAN While many people have been struggling with having to stay home during the COVID-19 outbreak, and I really sympathize with those people, I’ve been able to use my birding opportunities to help me appreciate the small benefits of the quarantine. I truly hope that the sharing of my pictures and stories has […]
By ANN BROKELMAN First an update on Wol the great horned owlet: Three weeks to the day after he was put in a new laundry basket nest, Wol both branched and fledged. The roller coaster of emotions from watching this little owlet have everyone who helped feeling exhausted. On May 8 I went up to […]
By ANN BROKELMAN April 17th was a special day for Josette and her daughter, residents of Kawartha, a great excuse for me to get out of the house, and a very lucky day for a great horned owlet! Today’s story began when Josette, after having observed an owlet sitting prone on the ground near her […]
