Inglewood Bird Sanctuary February 20, 2026

With a more friendly forecast of minus twenty-two celsius without windchill, it was time to get "out & about" safely for a few hours.  As I walked the trail from the parking lot at The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, I picked up the pace when I spotted the sundog between the trees. I wanted a wide open view of it. Even though this means that it is winter and it is cold, it was a welcoming sight to the Sanctuary!

After admiring the sundog, I darted to the riverside before the sun got too high. Darting here and there helped me to stay warm. That's a long line of geese and mallards on the ice at the edge of the open water. They were huddled together, not a sound being made.  It was not until later when it warmed up somewhat, that they then moved about and became vocal. 

view of the snow-covered Lagoon

The smallest birds that stay here for the winter were busy being "out & about".  No matter how cold, they still go about their business.  I saw many Black-capped Chickadees.  This one had a tiny icicle hanging from its beak.  

a Male Hairy Woodpecker

There were a few White-breasted Nuthatches.  

I always hope I get to see the resident Cottontail Rabbit. In fact, I saw two! The first one was too quick for me to capture a photo.  This was the second one which came out from under the side of a viewing platform.  It saw me before I saw it, yet it stayed there long enough for me to zoom in and snap this shot.    

a little later when I retraced my steps back to the platform, it was sitting out in the open

Just like when I first arrived and picked up the pace for a better view of the sundog, I did that once again when the colours lit up the sky.  I watched it dance then slowly disappear, then I quickly moved on darting again along the trail.  

There was not a whole lot happening at The Sanctuary while I was there, yet a whole lot did happen, probably yesterday.  I was the first to walk the trails today. There were many deer and coyote prints in the snow but they were muted from a dusting of snow overnight. These markings were muted too.  I wondered what may have occurred! 

More muted markings!  

It looked like wings swept through the snow.

By now my hair tips was frosted, I could tell my nose and cheeks were pink. My lungs were full of fresh air, nature cleansed the cobwebs from within, I felt satisfied and fulfilled.  It was time to head home!