VIDEO: A Squirrel... but what Happened to its Tail??

We've heard of squirrels without tails, we've just never seen one up close... and looking like this...

What happened to its tail, we wondered. He recently 'lost' it.
Poor thing, but it seems it didn't hinder him whatsoever! Just a hint of hair left. It was like it was pulled clean off the bone/cartilage...

WATCH: Moose caught swimming in Northern Ontario lake like a boss

It's a boat... It's a plane. It's a...... moose??!! Yes, and according to the The Weather Network, Moose are excellent swimmers. 
This one was spotted swimming across a lake in Magnetawan, Ontario - like a boss!...

A family exploring a lake came across a head bobbing in the water...

WATCH: Sea Lion Unexpectedly Drags Girl into Water at Vancouver-area Wharf

That's one huge sea lion - and it all happened so fast! The sea lion dragged a young girl into the waters at the Steveston Fisherman's Wharf in Richmond, B.C.
Thankfully, as you'll see, the little girl was rescued immediately.

Initially, after watching the video, we were curious as to why the sea lion showed an interest in the girl but discovered later (after reading the CBC news article), that it probably thought her dress was food!
According to SFU student Michael Fujiwara, the guy who captured it on video, the family began feeding it bread crumbs as the young girl got closer to the edge of the dock.

Andrew Trites, the director of UBC's Marine Mammal Research Unit, does not blame the animal for its behaviour in the video, according to another CBC news article:

"My first reaction to the video is just how stupid some people can be to not treat wildlife with proper respect," he said. "This was a male California sea lion. They are huge animals. They are not circus performers. They're not trained to be next to people." 

According to Canada's Marine Mammal Regulations, "no person shall disturb a marine mammal except when fishing." 

Trites says the sea lion in the video looks like it is used to having people feed it.

As a result of the incident...

New signs going up in #steveston #sealions #warning pic.twitter.com/J8c4V2djrm

— Meera Bains (@Meerakati) May 21, 2017

It's a good thing it didn't bite her when it dragged her in because their bites "can cause very serious infections that may lead to amputation of a limb or even death."

Source(s): cbc.ca

VIDEO(s): Toronto's Raccoon baggage handler (+ more)

An undercover agent perhaps? Maybe not - but they seem to be everywhere in Toronto - on the subway, in a baby stroller and let's not even talk about the one captured doing the tightrope walk across some power lines back in 2013!

This latest one made headlines when he was spotted peeking out from the ceiling, checking out the passengers below in the baggage claim section at Toronto Pearson International Airport,...



Toronto Pearson International Airport has a new baggage handler. Taken at Terminal 3 on May 5, 2017.

Sayonara, for now, to our Feathered Friends being Shipped off to Amherstburg...

So we read they have shipped the first of 500 geese out of Port Dalhousie to an area called Amherstburg near Windsor, Ontario, you know, to curb the influx of aggressive birds at parks and the abundant feces that goes along with them. Anyone who's ever visited Jaycee Park can totally relate to this.

"Canada Wildlife Services issued a permit for St. Catharines to relocate 500 geese this year to a farm in Amherstburg during moulting season, when geese lose their feathers." - stcatharinesstandard

As noisy as they are and as dirty as they can be, we'll miss them... we think.

In this case, the birds are being relocated hundreds of kilometres away near Windsor in an effort to change their migratory patterns. City horticultural technician Mike Anderson said even if the geese do return, it will be after they regrow their wings in August and September. “By that time, they’re quite welcome to come back,” he said, explaining most activities that result in interactions between humans and geese are already over by then. “We’re really relocating them for July and August, which are the very busy times down in those parks in the watershed.” St. Catharines council voted in July 2015 to apply for a permit to send the geese packing, after years of trying to combat a growing geese population. Complaints about sticky, slippery messes along paths and parks in Port Dalhousie and on Welland Canals Parkway trails were numerous.

Here's to our feathered friends. May your summer be as pleasant as ours now will be...

(Pictures were taken at Jaycee Park, Port Dalhousie)

First there was one...

VIDEO: Squirrel Enjoying a French Fry in the Rain

Back in November 2014, I managed to post some photos of squirrels enjoying some french fries, (check it out here.)

Back then, there was also snow on the ground but this time around it was raining and I felt sorry for the poor little things and toss them what I had on hand - a few homemade fries. I captured this one on video...

The Hawk Has Landed - in the BackYard

So I was busy snapping the usual photos of squirrels and birds in the backyard when an hour later, after all the animals and birds had left, an extra big bird stopped by, one I've never seen before. Needless to say, I was all excited... until I read later they mainly feed on smaller birds.😱
(I did not want to scare it away so the photos were taken through a glass door...)

OFF-LEASH Dog Parks of Niagara

There are many parks to walk your dog in the Niagara area yet there are hardly any actual Dog Parks – places where our four-legged friends can run free and play off-leash in a controlled environment, (under the supervision of their owners, of course). In fact, currently there are only two leash-free dog areas in St. Catharines: Burgoyne Woods and Carol Disher Leash Free Dog Park at Catherine Street Park (see more photos below), and one in Niagara Falls.

We can thank former city councillor Carol Disher, for this.

Disher passed away in August 2015 but she realized the need for off-leash parks in the region and fought passionately for them.

“Of all the areas that she participated in and volunteered, one of the greatest accomplishments was initiating leash-free dog parks in the city,” Port Dalhousie Coun. Carlos Garcia said.

As a result, a leash-free park at Burgoyne Woods was opened in December 2006 and more recently, in honour of Carol, The Carol Disher Leash Free Dog Park located at Catherine Street Park...

SPOTTED: A Couple of Alaskan Malamutes...

While going for a morning stroll along the Welland Canal, I spotted a couple of Alaskan Malamutes, those domestic dogs that look like wolves and are best known for hauling sleds. 

 

Aren't they gorgeous?

Niagara’s First Snow Fall in Autumn with a Few Hungry Squirrels Enjoying Some French Fries

Yes, it’s still Autumn. Winter actually begins around December 21-22, so Autumn isn’t officially over yet. The leaves haven’t ALL fallen, but the first snow fall for the Niagara region has arrived and I have managed to capture some hungry squirrels snacking on some french fries.

Molly the Ragdoll Cat (St. Catharines) | NIAGARA'S PETS

Molly is a beautiful and unique cat. She is six years old. Owner, Tracy, has had her since she was 9-10 weeks old...

Molly is a blue-pointed RAGDOLL** breed. These types of Ragdoll breeds have color darkening at the extremities such as their nose, ears, tail, and paws as can be seen with Molly. 

Developed by American breeder Ann Baker, these breeds are also best known for their docile and affectionate nature. “But not this one”, said Tracy with a quirky smile. “She will take your hand off if you’re not careful!” Well, maybe so, but on this day she was picture perfect for me! 

**The name Ragdoll is derived from the tendency of individuals from the original breeding stock to go limp and relaxed when picked up.