I think there are few birds more contented looking than mallards, especially with a nice perch on a sunny day.
Tag Archives: Bird Photography
Robin Ready
A robin landed outside my window but flew off in the time it took to get my camera. Luckily I took a lot of robin photos earlier in the season.
Almost There
This young wood duck will be heading south soon but he’ll need a bit more time to develop adult plumage. When he returns next spring he’ll be looking dapper and ready to find a mate.
White-breasted Nuthatch
The nuthatch is an all year resident here. I enjoy its aerobatics and nasal call. It’s that call that usually alerts you to their presence.
Turkey Terror
There are a few wild turkeys that lurk in the darker corners of this reserve. I’m not fond of these large birds and I keep my distance. Given that Canadian Thanksgiving is next week, they might have more reason to fear than I do 😏
Wood Duck in Fall
I took this photo in the same location as the mallard I posted last week. The ducks seem to like this spot. A wood duck in fall, it doesn’t get much better than this!
All About the Duck
In yesterday’s post, the American Black Duck was an element of the photo, today he’s the star. I did a black and white version as well.
On Reflection – 2
Carrying a wide angle lens on this particular walk, I couldm’t get any closer to the black duck but I believe the emerging fall landscape was a nice compensation.
Mallard in Fall
With fall here the pace of duck life seems quieter. The young are grown, the noise level and squabbles are fewer. The female mallard enjoying a solitary swim seemed to confirm this.
On Reflection
As I had set out to take some landscape photos, I had a wide angle lens with me and nothing else. I thought there would be more fall colours than there were but the reflections on the water were nice. The American Black Ducks added a little something extra.
Robin
Robins have been plentiful this year; the occasional one remaining for the winter. Most fly further south but are among the first birds to return in the spring.
Light and Shadow
The mallard had the right idea, it was resting in the shade on a very hot morning. Much of the scene was in shadow but the sun found its way through the trees and illuminated the bird’s head nicely.
Northern Cardinal
There are a lot of cardinals in my neighbourhood. This one picked a nice spot to land.
Time Out
I took this photo in early June. I liked the way the little gosling was positioned, all I had to do was take the shot. It’s all grown up by now and getting ready to head south.
Cedar Waxwing
We saw a flock of Cedar waxwings swirling around overhead and I managed to catch one when it landed for a moment.
A Rare Bird – 2
Another photo of the Greater White-fronted Goose I took last month. It did spend quite a lot of time preening which allowed me to get this.
Three’s Company
At first there were two female mergansers sharing the rock. The younger bird (front left) finished her swim and joined them. This was taken in July and we haven’t seen any since. Perhaps we’ll have another opportunity during the fall migration.
Along the River
Walking along the river a saw a group of black birds on the move. I have never seen so many cormorants at one time. I wish I could have got a closer shot but I was at the limit of my lens. Funny, the people in the sailboat didn’t even turn to look.
A Rare Bird
In North America, the Greater White-fronted Goose breeds across a broad range of the arctic and is an uncommon visitor to Ontario. We spotted this individual in a group of Canada Geese. A first time sighting for me, very exciting 😊. More photos to come.
Attention!
The robin assumed a miliary stance and looked ready to give orders rather than take them 😏. We’ve seen a lot of robins throughout the spring and summer. Their expressions can be very funny and they aren’t timid birds which allows for mamy photo opportunities.
Marvellous Mallards
I have a soft spot for these ducks!
Ducks in a Row
This trio had been swimming behind their mother and must have decided to get a little rest before rejoining her. The adult stayed close, just out of the frame.
Chipping Sparrow
Earlier in the month I posted photos of some Chipping Sparrows. I was lucky to get several shots, this one shows off its chestnut cap.
Part of the Landscape
In the past you rarely saw ravens in the city but they’re here now, an hospitable environment for these birds. You often hear their deep “gronk” call as you walk along, both summer and winter. Although considered aggressive they are often mobbed by smaller birds protecting their nests.
Another Merganser
Last week I featured some female mergansers sunning themselves. The same day I took those photos, I saw a younger duck swimming further out (which is where I usually seem them). Mergansers are diving ducks that feed on small fish and crustaceans, I got several photos of her as she came to the surface.
Female Mergansers
This rock is a popular spot for ducks to sun themselves. On this day two mergansers had staked it out. As I usually spot them swimming out in the middle of the lake it was nice to see them close up.
Chipping Sparrows
I featured this chick and an adult chipping sparrow on a post a few days ago. Here are a few more photos.
Bird on a Mirror
When the robin landed on the car mirror I expected it to turn around and catch its own reflection. It didn’t, at least not while I was watching. I’m glad it wasn’t my car as birds can make quite a mess perched like this.
Chipping Sparrow
This is the first of several photos I took of a chipping sparrow. The star of the show is this very young bird who appears to be taking his first walk with Dad; actually he hopped 😊. You never know what you’ll see on a walk in the neighbourhood!
American Goldfinch
I saw this female goldfinch peering around the thistle at me. I’ve seen them feed on this plant later in the season when its gone to seed. I’m not sure if there’s something for them rto eat ight now or if she was just taking a break.
Morning Shade
There were a lot of mallards settled under the trees as we walked along the path at our local reserve. We’re experiencing very high temperatures right now and shady spots are at a premium.
Young Canada Goose
We decided to walk along the river in search of a breeze as the temperature continues to rise. Not much relief there but we did see some birds including this juvenile Canada Goose. He’s beginning to lose his down and acquire juvenile plumage. His parent wasn’t far behind; they remain with their parents for about a year.
Basking
I caught this Red-winged Blackbird enjoying the warmth of the sun earlier this month. The park is popular with these birds and you’re usually greeted by their song as you approach the path.
Family Swim
I like to watch the geese out with their young, showing them the way.
Gosling
When I took this photo about two weeks ago I saw goslings of this size as well as young geese that were bigger and approaching that awkward looking stage. They certainly mature quickly.
Make Way
I was using a long lens and I was very close to the mallard so this image gives the impression that the path was hers 😏
Cardinal
We’re lucky to see and hear a lot of cardinals in our neighbourhood. Although we still live in the city, it’s greener and quieter than where we used to live and it’s rare not to hear bird song early morning and throughout the day.
Red-winged Blackbird
There were a number of Red-winged Blackbirds at the park when this young one landed quite close to me. I believe it’s a juvenille male.
More Fun with Grackles
We’ve seen a good number of grackles this year. I enjoy watching them, they’re always striding around looking busy and a bit put out 😏
First of the Year
After a walk around the reserve and having seen very little we decided to return to the car. A few minutes from the entrance we came upon this Black-crowned Night Heron. A first of the year sighting!
