I took this photo on a mild October day while walking along the river. The gull seemed to be enjoying the relative warmth too.
Category Archives: Birds
SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT
Despite their reputation, crows have some positive qualities. They’re highly intelligent, consume waste and litter and if you see them flying in groups calling loudly, there’s a good chance that an owl is nearby. No owls this day but still a handsome crow,
BIG RED
Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest woodpeckers in North America. We’re fortunate that they remain year round, On a grey winter day, seeing this lively colourful bird always brightens things up.
BRIGHT SPOT
As winter approaches, the landscape becomes drab. This fine looking mallard added some much needed colour. A few resident ducks remain throughout the winter; close to shore the river remains open and they find a way to carry on.
GOLDEN
This goldfinch was the last thing I expected to see in surroundings like these. You just never know 😊 .
Marvellous Mallards
I took this photograph one December day when the light was just right. The male’s head was the emerald green you see here, I didn’t enhance the colour.
YOU TOOK MY SPOT
Standing on a pedestrian bridge, I watched some gulls fly overhead. I haven’t taken many birds in flight shots and thought I’d practice as this gull came in for a landing. I liked the expression on the other bird!
GARDEN VARIETY
Canada Geese are pretty commonplace. Not always welcome, they can be loud and messy but they still hold an appeal. Right now we see them in large V formations, heading south.
EASTERN PHOEBE
Eastern Phoebes migrate south between September and November, so this is probably the last one I’ll see until Spring. We enjoy them for only a short period so every sighting is a pleasure.
SCREECH OWL AND THE FOREST (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The screech owl I saw a few weeks ago is still around, It had changed trees and I had a different lens this time. I liked the wider shot below, but also cropped in close to give a better view of the owl.
GREAT EGRET
I had few opportunities to photograph Great Egrets this summer but I did get a few chances. I hope to have more next year.
ALL SEASON FAVOURITE
We’re fortunate to see black-capped chickadees all year round. I’m always amazed at how a bird so tiny can survive our winters!
CALM (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The mallard pair found a quiet spot near shore. No other ducks, barely a breeze; a perfect moment.
AMERICAN WIGEON
Another wigeon photo I took one November day. It looked like he was enjoying his greens 😏.
SEASON DRAWING DOWN
This scene was taken on a late fall day a few years ago but today’s cold wind is a hint of what’s to come. The wood ducks hold on until the first frost, so they’ll be around for a bit longer.
EASTERN SCREECH OWL (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We took a walk recently along the edges of a local reserve; we haven’t walked its trails since Covid struck, the place is packed with people. The crowds must have driven this eastern screech owl out of the park and close to where we were walking. We’ve only seen these owls in daylight and usually looking half asleep 😏 .
STARLING
European starlings have a bad reputation – they can push native birds from nesting cavities, damage crops and more. Yet, after a long winter, they’re one of the first birds to return and are attractive with their iridescent colouring. This individual looked pretty mellow.
BIRD BUDDIES
There were a lot of ring-billed gulls fishing on the river. These two immature birds took a time out.
CAUGHT IN THE REFLECTION
As attractive as wigeons are, I think the reflections make the photograph. The colours were just right on this early November day.
SUNDAY DUCK
Duck enjoying a quiet paddle.
GREAT EGRET – 2
Another lazy day on the river; a Great Egret stretching its legs.
FEMALE HOUSE SPARROW
House sparrows are common in our cities and attractive little birds. Local nesting spots are in the eaves of an office building and in the crevice of a house in the neighbourhood. I check these spots out every spring.
PEKIN DUCKS – 2
Earlier in the summer we ran into this charming pair in a small yard downtown. We looked for them every time we passed by. We went back a few times and then one day they were gone. I hope they found a place in the country and didn’t meet with fowl play 😟.
SOME KIND OF DUCK
It’s been a while since I’ve photographed any ducks but I believe this is a non breeding male mallard. Looking Good 😊.
GREAT EGRET
We’ve had few opportunities to see or photograph great egrets in the last year and a half. Our favourite reserve has been jam-packed since Covid struck and we haven’t been back. We parked by the Ottawa River recently hoping to see one of these beautiful birds and luck was with us.
RIVER VIEW (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
There’s a spot on the river where the cormorants gather. The silhouetted bird was sharing the tree with four other birds. I wish I had a longer lens that day.
RING-BILLED GULL
I saw this young gull by the river and I liked the pose it struck. We normally see gulls in the city, congregating in groups. When they fly overhead, it’s wise to keep an eye on the sky 😏.
SECOND LOOK
As we turned the corner I saw these two and thought they looked pretty lifelike for lawn ornaments. When one duck moved its head I almost jumped. I’ve never seen a Pekin Duck before and never downtown. We stopped by to visit a few times over several days, more photos to come…
DOWNTOWN BIRDS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
House sparrows are not native to North America but have adapted very well and are common in urban areas. I’m featuring a male and female I saw on a recent walk.
FEMALE GOLDFINCH
Goldfinches breed later in the summer than a lot of other birds. I watched as the goldfinch gathered nesting material and flew back and forth to her nest deep in the trees.
CITY BIRD
I thought the robin fit right in with its elegant surroundings.
DOWNY WOODPECKER
The downy woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America. We see them all year round. If you hear a tapping sound in the woods it’s likely a downy going about its business.
ROBIN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I’m not sure what insect the robin had firmly in its grip. I think he was unsure of it as well 😏.
LUNCH
The sparrow had to really stretch to feed on the seeds of this dandelion. I’ve never seen bird behaviour like this before 😏.
PIGEONS ROCK
The rock dove or common pigeon is not a bird I usually pay attention to but this one was kind of special. I had been aiming for a goldfinch that flew off as I approached but I didn’t walk away disappointed.
UNCOMMON STARLING
Nothing common about this Common or European Starling. Their plumage is extremely colourful and unlike many birds in the neighbourhood, they never shy away from my camera.
ROBIN GOTHIC
I didn’t have a chance to change the exposure compensation as the robin landed close by. I took the photo and despite how dark it was I liked it. I made a few adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop and this is the result.
ALL TUCKED IN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I liked the shapes and swirls in this image, the water forming perfect circles around the little duckling.
LAST SEASON
I took this photo in August when the cardinal hadn’t finished moulting and was still a bit patchy. Still stylish though!
HEADING HOME (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I like to capture the wake pattern as a duck races towards shore. Have to wonder what the hurry is 😏.
