Some picnickers had just packed up and this ring-billed gull was checking for any leftovers. There was nothing left behind but the gull was polite enough to wait until they had gone.
CANADA GOOSE
Some mallards remain here year round. They can find enough to eat if the water along the shore remains free of ice and if people feed them. Canada Geese, on the other hand, fly south in late fall. Smart birds!
SEASON FAVOURITE
These are some of my favourite late fall subjects; a solitary leaf or several on a stem among the surrounding fall display. I always keep an eye out for these fading beauties on my walks.
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER
This was the first and only time I’ve seen a Chestnut-sided Warbler. Unlike many warblers at this reserve, it wasn’t hiding up in the pine trees, so I could get a clear shot. I wish it had turned a bit so I could have got more of its colouring but was still pleased to add another bird to my list.
ON THE WATERFRONT
I took this photo on holiday a few years ago. The warehouse was well cared for and appealing, a nice photo opportunity on a misty morning.
INCH BY INCH (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
These old boxwood rulers with brass fittings were used to measure bolts of cloth and date back decades. Along with the bright yellow measuring tape, the rulers form the subjects of my second studio series.
GET CRACKING
During this unusual winter, I thought I’d try my hand at doing some studio work. Here is my first eggample 😊. Learning how to use flash: diffusing, blocking, reflecting and positioning it is a steep learning curve but fun too. Stay tuned for more…
FAN DANCER
This is the first time I’d seen an insect with such fancy head gear. It turns out it’s a male non-biting midge. They fly in swarms and can be very annoying on early summer mornings as you walk along. Not sure how I spotted this individual, just lucky I guess.
IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
With its algae covered back, you have to be lucky to spot a snapping turtle swimming through a murky pond. I didn’t have a polarizing filter so the photo might have been sharper but I managed to get a decent shot. I think this turtle was quite young as it wasn’t as large as some I’ve seen. Not the prettiest kid on the block but certainly one of the more interesting.
Hooded Merganser
I was pleased to get so close to this female hooded merganser. Often they’re out in the middle of the lake just beyond range. This duck found a quiet spot to enjoy the sun.
PICNIC IN THE PARK
This grey squirrel was tucking in as I passed. A felled tree makes a nice surface for dining and hikers often leave seeds and nuts for birds and squirrels, particularly in the colder months. I was glad to see that this diner was well fed.
DAMSELFLY
Damselflies – a sure sign of warm weather. They begin to appear in late spring and remain throughout the summer. Looking at the blue skies and sunshine right now, you can almost imagine it’s warm out, until you step outside that is 😏 .
FOREST DETAILS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
There’s always something that catches my eye when I’m out for a walk. I liked the windblown leaf pattern on the forest floor and the sapling pushing upward. It was nice to see the mushrooms too.
NOT TOO LONG NOW
Trout lilies are one of the first wildflowers we see each spring on our walks through the woods. I love to see them pushing their way through the leaf litter and melting snow.
GREAT EGRET
We usually see a few Great Egrets at the reserve every summer. When they’re not fishing the waters we often see them preening. This one was doing just that on the remains of an old tree.
HOUSE FINCHES
The bright head of the house finch caught my eye, I didn’t see the less colourful female when I took the picture. Most finches I’ve seen are more rosy coloured. This one must have found a good crop of red berries as diet can effect their colouring.
RING-BILLED GULL
Ring-billed gulls are often seen in parking lots and city parks, so it was nice to see this bird on the water. A much more fitting location for a seagull.
QUIET COMPANY
The woods in winter are quiet; the only sounds are my boots on the snow and the wind in the trees. I wasn’t alone though, as I looked up I saw this squirrel looking down at me.
PINK AND PURPLE
The Iris was vying for attention with the Prairie Smoke, a curious almost whimsical native plant. Later in the season the seed head of this flower produces whispy strands that look like smoke. Pollinators love them.
PEREGRINE FALCON (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I was surprised to see a peregrine falcon as I passed along the shore. Peregrines swoop down on their prey from the air so it wasn’t hunting, probably just cooling off in the lake. Except for the falcon no other bird or squirrel was in sight.
FRAMED
The out of focus branches framed the chickadee nicely and also made him look like a little “jailbird”. He doesn’t look too happy about it 😏 .
DUCKS ON PARADE
There’s a natural channel in the lake that ducks often swim through. On this occasion I watched as a long line of ducks swam towards me before they went their separate ways.
DAMSELFLIES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
After photographing certain subjects for a while you begin to anticipate their behaviour. In the case of damselflies (and dragonflies) they tend to return to the same perch you might have startled from as you approached. So if you don’t get the shot the first time your chances are good the second time around.
FEMALE WOOD DUCKS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I often see female wood ducks on their own or in very small groups. They are not as gregarious as mallards but have a charm all their own.
GOLD ON GREEN
This pretty little beetle was inching its way along the leaf when I spotted it. I might not have noticed it if it weren’t for its colour. The leaf gives you a good idea of the insect’s size.
PAINTED TURTLE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This lake has a fair number of resident turtles. As I scanned the water for birds, I noticed a painted turtle enjoying a swim. Now it and its mates are buried deep in the mud, hibernating until spring.
EARLY MORNING MUSKRAT
Muskrats swim quickly and like to dive, particularly when they have an audience. I saw this one on an early April morning enjoying a solitary swim.
PERFECT PAD (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This lake has a lot of lily pads which these frogs call home. They blend in so well that often only a splash or movement alerts you to their whereabouts. The photo below gives you a good idea of their environment and how well they blend in.
CHICKADEE
I didn’t follow the rules for my composition. I don’t think the photo would have worked as well if I had.
BARRED OWL
The barred owl or hoot owl is very common in Ontario though I’ve only seen one twice. Like most owls they are nocturnal but both my sightings were during the day. This owl was just slightly off the main path, I happened to look up and there he was.
HOLD ON TIGHT
Pretty good advice for the times we live in 😏.
A WALK IN THE PARK
Someone had stamped down the path somewhat but we still got plenty of exercise making our way along. No need for a gym membership with conditions like these 😏.
MONDAY MORNING MALLARD
I caught this duck as she stood on some rocks close to shore. She gave me a curious look which made for a nice photograph.
FALL FIND
Fall is a good time to photograph mushrooms especially if there’s been a lot of rain. As I was walking, I noticed some bracket fungus running along this fallen tree. It almost looked like a border of lace.
NORTHERN SHOVELER
Happy New Year!
DECEMBER CARDINAL
A little cheer on a cold December day.
GOOSE ON THE LOOSE
Canada Geese have long since left for warmer parts. While we’re strongly encouraged not to travel this winter, these snowbirds are exempt.
MALLARD ON ICE
Best wishes for the Holidays!
CHICKADEE, BALANCING ACT
The chickadee looks like it’s trying to keep its balance on the branch. I thought the leaves framed him nicely too.
BLUE(T)S AND GREENS OF SUMMER
The bluet damselfly is a common visitor in early summer, often seen near bodies of water. Like many birds and insects, when they become accustomed to your presence they’ll often linger for a portrait.
