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.
DOUBLE TAKE
I noticed this dog watching as another chased its ball. I was at quite a distance so at first t I thought I was looking at a real dog (a very composed one 😏 ). I think the sculptor must be a true dog lover .
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.
A SLIGHT SHIFT
For a few weeks now, I’ve noticed that some plants and trees are beginning to show a change of colour. This small plant was a typical example. It’s still in the mid-30’s C but time marches on.
BY THE RIVER
As summer winds down I especially enjoy walks by the river. The local flowers are beginning to fade but the sunflowers are still bright and dance in the wind alongside the grasses.
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…
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
It’s been so hot and muggy lately but this dog doesn’t seem to mind a bit 😊
CLOUDED SULPHUR
This was my first sighting of a clouded sulphur this summer although they are among the most common and widespread of North American butterflies. At their brightest they’re as yellow as sulphur which is how they got their name.
SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY
I’ve seen several swallowtail butterflies this summer. This one was the first to stay still long enough for me to photograph.
OVER THE FENCE
This caught my eye as I was walking along. I was hoping to see some butterflies in the neighbouring gardens but caught sight of this rooster instead.
EASTERN PHOEBE
We’re not the only ones who seek the shade on these hot summer days. It can make for some challenging photography.
BEE GYMNASTICS
You have to marvel at their technique 😊
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.
FROG ON FRIDAY
Frogs seem to wear a world-weary expression. Despite that they always make me smile 😊
HALLOWEEN PENNANT
It’s easy to see how this dragonfly got its name. It’s colours are festive and it has the habit of perching on tall grass where its wings catch the breeze like a flag or pennant would.
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.
ONE COOL FROG
I had heard some frogs in the water so I was surprised to see this one sitting in the shade of some trees. It seems they are quite happy to forage on land and shelter there as well. It was such a hot day, this one might have just wanted to get out of the sun.
COOLING OFF
The sparrow looked like it just had a dip in the nearby pond and found a place to dry off. The temperature has gotten very hot again so I imagine it was enjoying the coolness.
FINALLY, A MONARCH
Butterflies have been pretty scarce this summer, so I was very pleased to see a monarch. It flew between the clover and made itself visible for quite a while.
HERE COMES THE SUN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Sunflowers are such cheerful looking flowers. These flowers were practically beaming at me as I walked up to them.
Silver-spotted Skipper
This is the second silver-spotted skipper I’ve seen recently. When I did get a clear shot, it was flying off but did display some of the silver that it’s known for.
HEADLINERS
I came across these attractive flowers in the garden of a small theatre. They occupied their own flower bed, no need for a supporting cast 😏
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.
ALONG THE PATH
This field borders an entrance to a reserve we visit from time to time. On a hot day this area has the most wonderful scent as the sun works its magic. It’s a favourite spot for rabbits and bees as well.
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.
GROUNDHOG
One of several groundhogs I saw earlier this month.
ANOTHER SUMMER TREAT
Echinacea or coneflowers are native to eastern and central North America. I started seeing them a few weeks ago, another sign of the hotter summer months.
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.
FRAZZLED
It’s shaping up to be a very hot summer. What remains of this seed head sums it up nicely.
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.
COLD SHOULDER
I’ve seen fewer butterflies this summer, as other bloggers have mentioned. So I was happy to see this one even though it was turned away from the camera 😏 . I believe it’s a silver spotted skipper.
Eat Your Greens
It could have been Groundhog Day at the park. We spotted at least four. They tend to be solitary but it’s a big park with enough grass for all 😊
CATCH THE LIGHT
Our favourite reserve has become very popular so we took a quiet path to avoid the crush. Looking around I saw this scene. My spouse calls these intimate landscapes, I like that!
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.
TWIRLS AND SWIRLS
A wildflower I saw growing alongside a small pond.
SOFT LANDING
I enjoy seeing a dragonfly on a lily pad. I associate both with summer by the lake.
Happy Canada Day to all those celebrating!
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 