Ed McMackin

An occasional winter resident, a cedar waxwing feasts on local holly berries.

Out There: What some birds do the night before the Christmas Bird Count

As I move over the soft ground, everything is quiet till I hear light cracking sounds as beating wings hit twigs in nearby trees...

An occasional winter resident, a cedar waxwing feasts on local holly berries.
A sensitive nosed bushy-tailed woodrat or packrat exploring new territory.

Out There: The tale of Packy the Runaway Packrat

When I was younger, several books that crossed my path, Sally the Runaway Monkey, Pokey the Runaway Bear and Packy the Runaway Elephant...

A sensitive nosed bushy-tailed woodrat or packrat exploring new territory.
An adult grey jay seeks morsels in the evening sunlight.

Out There: Many names for quiet bird

Whiskey jay, camp robber, moose bird, Canada jay or grey jay — a great choice of names for a quiet bird...

An adult grey jay seeks morsels in the evening sunlight.
A local mourning cloak butterfly sips moisture from a finger.

Out There: Catching up with autumn butterflies

Mourning cloak butterflies are a good example of the colourful butterflies to be found at this time of year.

A local mourning cloak butterfly sips moisture from a finger.
This group braved the snow to climb the peak above Bridal Lake in Stagleap Provincial Park.

Out There: Getting acquainted with the high country near Creston

In late spring and early summer, access to higher elevations becomes easier because open, south-facing slopes are free of snow earlier...

This group braved the snow to climb the peak above Bridal Lake in Stagleap Provincial Park.
Warm rocks and sticks conceal a rubber boa.

Out There: Your favourite places can be revisited

Many of you and others have started the season off with some hiking and others are planning on outings and hiking for later on...

Warm rocks and sticks conceal a rubber boa.
The varied thrush has a unique and easily identifiable call.

Out There: The squeaky brake bird

Another and I were talking about this bird and they said, “Oh, we hear that bird, too. We call it the squeaky brake bird"...

The varied thrush has a unique and easily identifiable call.
Warm days of spring raise water levels which cast many shapes of ice.

Out There: Have the robins brought spring with them?

Robins by the dozens have been seen in people’s yards and in some cherry orchards...

Warm days of spring raise water levels which cast many shapes of ice.
With one foot grasping the grass stem and the other on a tansy head, a common redpoll decides whether it’s flight or feed.

Out There: A mid-winter day’s memories

This winter, for the first time ever, common redpolls have shown up at my feeder...

With one foot grasping the grass stem and the other on a tansy head, a common redpoll decides whether it’s flight or feed.