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.
Category Archives: Birds
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,
WHAT THE GRACKLES SAW
I don’t know what the grackles were looking at but it sure grabbed their attention.
YOUNG CANADA GEESE
Two weeks ago I saw some goslings in this location. If these are the same geese, I imagine they’re now about a month old. They mature quickly and reach adult size in about 10 weeks.
TABLE FOR ONE
This handsome goldfinch zipped by, headed for the feeder. With no other birds around he had it all to himself.
KING OF THE HILL
Do you ever have the feeling you’re being watched 😏
A BOBBIN OF ROBINS
There are many collective nouns for robins. How nice that bobbin is one of them. It’s been a very good year for this bird as I’ve had many sightings.
Black-crowned Night Heron
This was my first sighting of a Black-crowned Night Heron this year, looking somewhat ruffled.The suburban park where I took this photo borders the river and attracts a lot of wildlife. I wonder what’s next 😊
MALLARD MAYHEM
Not sure what happened here, all was calm and then this 😏
ONE MORE BLACKBIRD
The Red-winged blackbird stood out against the dry grass. I had my choice of these birds to photograph on a recent walk.
FEMALE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
I’ve seen more Red-winged blackbirds this spring than I have in many years. More males than females though, so I was pleased to see and hear this female.
