more about magpies

"Black-billed Magpie
An exceptional architect, the black-billed magpie builds an elaborate domed nest that can be found in a spruce or deciduous tree or, on occasion, on an iron bridge. Constructed from sticks and held together with mud, the domed compartment conceals and protects eggs and young from predators and harsh weather. The nests are so well constructed that they may remain in trees for years, and non-building birds, such as merlins and owls, often use them as nest sites.”

Reprinted from Saskatchewan Birds, by Alan Smith

You can see the dome, or roof, in the photo above. Right? Well, it's the best my camera can do.

Also, the coyote in the back yard? It's a fox. I was pointing it out to Scott yesterday afternoon as we looked out the kitchen window. It was curled up in its usual spot but Scott was unable to see it and insisted I was imagining things, that it was a dead thistle on the ground or something. I had to go out, startle the creature awake so that it would stand, and then my boy could see it. I also got a better look than last time, and it's a fox.

We spent a couple hours yesterday over at Golden Grain Farm. Many of my perennial flowers are up but it's still too wet to work in the garden. The frogs were singing up a storm in the slough near the house though, so I am anxious to get over there to sleep. Ah, the thought of listening to them through the slightly open window at night ... I can hardly wait.

Have I told you that I plan to move over there as soon as heat is not required? Yes. I intend to start calling Golden Grain Farm "home," as soon as possible. I've created a blog centred on the new place; the link is up there on the left, just click on the photo of the John Deere plough.