Take a look at how some of P.E.I.'s creatures gets through winter.
P.E.I.'s winter critters
How some of the Island's wild and domesticated creatures get through the colder months
Brian McInnis
March 7, 2021
The end of winter is in sight and it can’t come soon enough for most of us — not to mention the animals that have to endure long days and nights of cold, snow and a shortage of food.
But nature has seen to it that some animals, both domestic and wild, can adapt to the cold, whether it be growing longer hair and fur, changing their eating habits or hanging out in large flocks to help protect themselves from predators.
Two Canada geese fly over thousands of other waterfowl that spend the winter in the open water and thin ice in MacLure’s Pond in Murray River. The large number of waterfowl will also attract bald eagles looking for a meal. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
These beautiful Belgian horses photographed near New Perth have heavy, coarse hair to keep them warm and large hoofs to clear away the snow covering the grass when they are outside. Of course, unlike wild animals, they have a barn in which to seek shelter. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
This squirrel was caught in the act of raiding a bird feeder. Squirrels are quite acrobatic so they have no problem getting at household feeders and the tasty seeds they contain. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
This large harbour seal shares some space with seagulls as it relaxes on the ice at the Montague marina. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
This coyote was on the hunt for food hidden under the snow and seemed to catch the scent of some small animal, perhaps a mouse or squirrel or even a vole. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
A crow tries to sneak up and steal a bit of food from the juvenile bald eagle that was eating a freshly killed Canada goose. What can possibly go wrong? (Brian McInnis/CBC)
Like most youngsters, this young horse loves the novelty of the snow and makes the most of its time out of barn on a bright sunny winter’s day. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
For birds such as this downy woodpecker, which depend on grubs living under the bark of trees or the suet balls found at bird feeding stations, winter makes it tough to find food. After about 10 minutes of determined pecking, this bird pulled out a tiny grub. Any little bit helps. (Brian McInnis/CBC)
Brian McInnis
Brian McInnis is a Charlottetown-based freelance photographer.
As well as providing images for CBC, he has done photo work for The Canadian Press, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Tourism P.E.I., City of Charlottetown, Downtown Charlottetown Inc. and many other national newspapers and magazines.
