Reflections of Nature

REFLECTIONS of NATURE

Canadian Conservation Corps ~ launched in 2018

by the Prime Minister as part of the Government of Canada's Service Corps,

Canadian Wildlife Federation's Conservation Corps (CCC)

is a program designed to engage adults in our natural and cultural

programs achieving wildlife conservation.

My January, 2019 calendar illustrates the Wood Duck from a 2018 Nature Photo contest.

From a winter snow in the sky and on the ground, this duck is considered by many to be the most beautiful duck in North America ~ if not in the world. The male's multi-coloured breeding plumage, worn from October though June, is unexcelled among ducks.

The female plumage is less showy, although still beautiful ~

and more colourful than other female ducks.

February's 28 days features a dramatic photo in ivories, corals and oranges

of cold water sponges, corals and anemones,

an important part of Canada's marine diversity.

Slow growth rates...longevity...and habitat-limiting factors

make corals and sponges particularly sensitive

to physical impacts

and are adversely affected by a range of human activities

including fishing, oil and gas exploration ~ submarine cable ~

and pipeline installation.

(To me, this photo is a dramatic mural of underwater sealife.)

In March, is the American Marten ~ What a cutie!

A small predator, it is a member of the weasel family.

It is active about 16 hours a day during the spring and summer.

Although an agile climber, it takes almost all of its prey on the ground.

The American Marten exemplifies the curiosity

and lightning-fast reflexes of the weasel family.

April's Common Loon chick can swim within hours after hatching ~

but spends some time on its parents' backs to rest ...conserve heat...and avoid predators.

Perhaps, one of the most fascinating things about the common loon

is its haunting and variable voice.

It has four distinct calls,which it uses

in varying combinations to communicate

with its family and other loons.

In May, we see a Gray Treefrog, although in the full page photo

it is olive-greenish with dark brown markings ~ its eye pupil is black.

Growing up to 6 centimetres in length, the female is usually larger than the male.

Depending on light and temperature conditions, 

the Gray Treefrog can change its colouration to become lighter or darker. 

Author: Merle Baird-Kerr...March 26, 2019

Respond to: mbairdkerr@bell.net