Sunday 16 February 2014

Sunday, February 16, 2014


-7C / 19F and -8C / 17 F with the wind chill
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Some sun, some cloud and light snow falling
Cirrus and Mackenzie
Photos copyright of Bill McCreadie
 
 
I decided to stay home today as I was anxious to see how our athletes were going to make out at the Olympics.  GO CANADA GO!!
 
When Bill arrived at the Lift Bridge around 2:00 pm, he found Cirrus on the cable between the Bridge Towers and Mackenzie was not in sight.  Cirrus had her attention focused on something under the Skyway Bridge on the Burlington side of the bridge.  As Bill watched she kept alarm calling and diving on something that appeared to be on the ground.  After 4 or 5 passes, she returned to the cable but was still intent on the spot.  With all the noise, Mackenzie appeared and landed on the Hamilton Hydro Tower.  Cirrus took off again so Bill decided to cross the bridge and find out what the ruckus was about.  Low and behold, he found that Cirrus was not happy about the Snowy Owl on the ground.



Mackenzie Hanging Around While Cirrus takes on the Snowy.
 
Cirrus Guards Her Territory


Cirrus Watches
 
 
Cirrus is off.
 


The Threat


 

Friday 7 February 2014

Friday, February 7, 2014


Friday, February 7, 2014
10:00 am to 11:00 am
-16 C / +3 F
-22 C / -7 F with Wind-chill
Sun and Cloud Mix
Cirrus and Mackenzie
Photos copyright of Bill McCreadie 

This morning when Bill arrived at the Lift Bridge,  there was no sign of Cirrus or Mackenzie until he walked under the bridge and rounded the bushes to the pier.  This is what he found, Cirrus having a meal and a perfect photo opportunity.
 





Cirrus' Band Confirmed Black K / Green 83





 

Mackenzie was around, because he could be heard whining, but could not be spotted.  After Cirrus finished her meal and had cleaned herself up she took off and as Bill was following her with the camera, Mackenzie must have stooped in and grabbed the meal because when Bill turned around, the carcass was gone.  That was it, everyone had disappeared.

 

Monday 3 February 2014

Monday, February 3, 2014


Monday, February 3, 2014
-3 C/ 26 F
Clear with blue skies
Between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm
Cirrus and Mackenzie
All photos copyright of Bill McCreadie
 
 
Well, spring is definitely in the air.  It was a beautiful day to be out and about.  Cirrus and Mackenzie were feeling amorous.  I think we might, once again, be the first hatch for 2014. 
 
When Bill arrived this morning around 10:30 am Cirrus was sitting on the corner of the nest box chirping at Mackenzie who was sitting below her on the old nest ledge.  He took off and circled around the Hamilton Bridge Tower and returned and entered the nest box.  A short time later, he left the nest box and circled between the towers and …………

Spring is in the air!

When we arrived this afternoon around 12:30 pm, Cirrus was sitting on the very tip of the second arm down of the Hamilton Hydro Tower and Mackenzie was sitting on a beam on the front face of the Hamilton Bridge Tower.  Cirrus was chirping away.  I guess Mackenzie got the message because he flew around the Hamilton Bridge Tower and mated with her once again. 


Spring is definitely in the air!

All of a sudden they both took off towards CCIW, and the next thing we knew, Cirrus was returning with a heavy meal package and Mackenzie was on her tail.  They both landed on the bridge abutment in the marina parking lot.  Cirrus devoured the meal while Mackenzie kept his distance and whined.   As we quickly rounded the bridge abutment Cirrus had disappeared leaving Mackenzie with what appeared to be a small tidbit.  He took the remains to the Hamilton Hydro where he sat in the sun and ate.  We were never able to find Cirrus again.  She was probably off cleaning herself up and would more than likely roost for the rest of the afternoon.  When we left around 2:00 PM, Mackenzie was still picking at leftovers on the Hamilton Hydro Tower and Cirrus had not reappeared.


Cirrus prepares her lunch.


Cirrus enjoys her lunch.

 
Poor Mackenzie watches and waits from afar.


Mackenzie finally gets the leftovers.
 
Cirrus' partial band.  I think it is safe to say that this is Black K/Green 83.

Here’s hoping that we have many more beautiful days like today.



 


 


Saturday 1 February 2014

Friday, January 31, 2014


-1 C / 30 F
11:00 am and 1:00 pm
Overcast and Grey Skies
Cirrus and Mackenzie
Photos copyright of Bill McCreadie and Scott Howley


We were at the Lift Bridge twice today.  Bill was there around 11:00 am and we both returned around 1:00 pm.  We found Mackenzie (black 29/Y band now verified) roosting between the Hamilton Tower Lake Side Cable Arm and the bottom arm of the Hamilton hydro tower.  Cirrus was tucked in on the vent on the lake side of the Burlington Tower.  There was not much activity until Cirrus spotted something and took off towards the Skyway with Mackenzie hot on her tail.  We lost sight of them as they rounded the Burlington Tower.  We never did see them again and gave up and headed for home.
Mackenzie


MacKenzie

 

Mackenzie Black 29/Y
 

Cirrus
 

At some time during the day, Scott Howley got these amazing photos of Mackenzie having lunch.  Apparently, both birds were sitting on top of light standards on the pier.  Of course, we missed it.  Thanks Scott for sharing these photos.
 
Mackenzie

 
Mackenzie