Fun With Animals

CANADA GOOSE








The pictures of the Canada geese were taken at Granville Park in Vancouver, B.C.

The black head and neck distinquish the Canada Goose from all except the Barnacle Goose. There are seven subspecies of this bird of varyng sizes and plumage details, but all are recognized as Canada Geese. This particular species is 30-40" long, with a wing span of 50-71". The male weights between 7-14 lbs. and can become very aggressive when defending territory. The female is slightly smaller, weighing 5.5-12 lbs. The Canada Goose is a migratory bird with the wintering range being most of the united states.

BLACK SQUIRREL

Pictures taken in Calgary, Alberta

For years, the grey squirrel was predominant driving its red cousin into the remotest corners of the country.
Now the mutant black squirrel has arrived and is playing havoc through parks and woodlands.
The testosterone-charged black is fitter, faster and more fiercely competitive than both the greys and red. The mutant blacks are leaving the grey squirrel population in fear.
The black squirrel is the result of a single mutation in the DNA of greys, giving them higher levels of the pigment melanin in their fur.
Sex selection is also boosting their numbers because female greys appear to prefer the blacks as mates

PIGEONS
Taken on the balcony of the Tropicana Motor Inn in Vancouver, B.C.

Pigeons are characterised by their stout bodies, short necks, small heads and thick plumage. All pigeons have soft swellings (ceres) at the base of the nostrils, regurgitated from the crops of the parents, and have specialized bills through which they can suck water steadily. Their main diet is nuts and seeds.

PHINX LARVA

Picture taken on a scorching hot sidewalk in Calgary.

There is not much difference between the tomato and tobacco hornworm sphinx. Both species are pests in vegetable gardens.
This particular sphinx hornworm is the tobacco hornworm. The tobacco hornworm is more common in gardens.

Many of the tobacco hornworms overwinter as pupae in the soil in the vicinity of previously infested gardens, emerging in late May or June.

Female moths lay large pearl-colored eggs on the upper surface of leaves. The young caterpillars hatch and feed on the plant for a month or more. They have big appetites and consume large amounts of leaves as they grow older and larger. After feeding they wander away from the plant and pupate in the soil. In the Southern areas of the region, a second generation frequently occurs with caterpillars present in late July and August and during warm summers.

SEAGULLS

Taken in the wee hours of the morning in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The larger species of Gulls are resourceful and highly-intelligent birds.
Many species of Gulls have learned to co-exist successfully with humans and have thrived in human habitats.
HONEY BEES

Honey bees are distinguished by the production and storage of honey, and the construction of nest out of wax.
Honey bees represent only a small fraction of the approximately 20,000 known species of bees.

Rabbits

The rabbits are coming back. For awhile we did not have many rabbits coming around. We had an unexpected visitor hanging out. It was a racoon that used to frequent our rooftop. As long as the coon was around, the rabbits stayed away. The coon is gone and the rabbits will play. My neighbour plays music when she is working outside. The constant noise of the radio got too annoying for the coon. He deceided to seek a quieter lounging area.

Until next time

Peace be with you and have a wonderful day.