The Canada Geese are certainly on the move. They begin their migration in September and most will have headed south by next month.
Category Archives: Birds
ANIMAL CRACKERS
If the gull could read I wonder if he’d agree? This park is a favourite with picnickers. The gulls must have a ball!
The Heron’s Court
The gulls were there first and then the Heron landed close by. It was as though they were expecting him 😏
The Usual Line Up
There are a lot of geese and gulls on the river right now. They seem to tolerate each other quite well.
TEST FLIGHT
Although the Canada Geese have not begun to migrate south we’re seeing them flying overhead a lot more lately. There’s still plenty for them to eat so they’ll be here for a while yet.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
We visited a local wildlife garden recently and saw more that morning than we had in several recent visits. Among the sightings was this American Goldfinch. He was moulting now that breeding season is over and will soon migrate further south.
HAPPY GO LUCKY
At least it looks that way to me 😊
YOUNG MALE WOOD DUCK
Wood ducks really don’t have a bad side 😊 .
Ravens
I like Ravens in silhouette.
CANADA GOOSE
Canada Geese migrate south when the temperature turns cold. Not everyone’s favourite waterbird but I enjoy them especially like this, taking a quiet swim.
CLOSE CALL
We had noticed a snapping turtle close by and hoped the young wood duck would veer off before the turtle got too close. Fortunately she did.
Great Blue Heron
The few Great Blue Herons I’ve seen this summer have been at quite a distance. I usually see them fishing in the reeds close to shore. This pond is large and not very deep. I guess the heron was trying his luck a little further afield.
BUDDIES
A lot of old trees have fallen into the lake making nice perches for birds and turtles. These ducks were sharing this one in amiable silence.
Late Afternoon Swim
I caught these geese in a quiet moment. Canada Geese can be very elegant birds, especially when they’re not acting up or messing up. 😏
SLEEPY WOOD DUCK
In the heat of the day, this female wood duck found a quiet spot for a nap.
ROBIN
You know what they say about the early bird…
EASTERN PHOEBE
We’re not the only ones who seek the shade on these hot summer days. It can make for some challenging photography.
FEMALE WOOD DUCK
I tend to see wood ducks in small groups or swimming off on their own. They do mingle with other ducks but tend to be quieter types.
CORMORANT
We had driven to a spot outside the city hoping to photograph some birds. It was a quiet day with little around but we did see this cormorant. We watched him fish for a while (with no luck) but he did put on a nice display as he dried his feathers.
WOOD DUCK
The temperature has cooled off somewhat so it’s more pleasant to get out with our cameras. Although I’m not seeing the number of birds I usually do, I have seen quite a few young wood ducks. This female was going for a quiet swim when I caught up with her.
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY
These American Black Ducks turn it into that kind of day!
Canada Geese
I liked this family scene with the gosling following closely behind its parents.
LESSER SCAUP (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The lesser scaup is a new duck to me so it was pretty exciting to see some on two occasions this summer. I took a lot of photos, next time I’ll feature the pair swimming together.
FEMALE NORTHERN CARDINAL
The cardinal landed on the path, just a little ahead of where I was walking. She was one of the few birds I saw that day. There were many around but none were visible through the dense forest.
OH ME, OH MY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We came across this fledgling on a recent walk in the park. The little bird looked dazed and confused. I assumed it was a very young red-winged blackbird because some adult birds were nearby and very raucous. We went on our way and hoped the chick was claimed when we left.
BROWN THRASHER
I’ve only ever seen a thrasher a few times and almost missed this one as I was at quite a distance from it. They’re a common species but not to me 😏. Thrashers are in the same family as catbirds and mockingbirds.
WOOD DUCK
We hadn’t seen much on our walk but as often happens, we had better luck as we were heading back. I’ve only seen wood ducks once before this year so I was very happy to come across this female duck and one of her young.
DUCKS OUT OF WATER
The ducks at this reserve often take a walk by the car park. Mallards don’t mind people which makes for some nice photo opportunities.
KEEPING COOL
On these hot summer days, the goslings seek the shade as do the rest of us.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
The only sightings I’ve had this year of night herons have been in the same suburban park. He’s a handsome bird showing of his breeding plumage and those yellow feet 😊
DRESSED TO IMPRESS
I saw these mallards in early May taking a leisurely swim. Hoping to be noticed, I guess. 😊
GOOSE ON THE LOOSE
Earlier this spring, I caught this goose in a quiet moment with a bit of green stuck in its beak 😏
EASTERN PHOEBE
We stopped by a wildlife garden recently and were told that a hummingbird was in the area. While waiting for it to appear (never saw it) I saw this phoebe and took several shots. I was also told the phoebe had a nest nearby (which I never spotted), so I imagine the caterpillar was for its chicks.
ROBIN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I’ve seen a lot of healthy looking robins this year. We’ve had a good mix of sun and rain, food must be plentiful.
GRACKLE
I knew that grackles were omnivores but I was still surprised to see it fishing. He flew away with his catch a short time later.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
Even on a quiet day you can count on the appearance of a Red-winged Blackbird. I’ve seen more this year than ever before.
GOSLING
It’s fun to watch a gosling explore a bit on its own. The parent birds were close enough if it ran into trouble.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
I didn’t see the heron catch anything but he was certainly trying.
SPLISH, SPLASH
The Red-winged Blackbird seemed to be enjoying her bath.
SPRING SAMPLER
I took this earlier in the Spring as the migrants were beginning to return. This little island was a perfect spot for the birds to have a look around,
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 