Volunteers had built two nesting platforms by a local marsh and we’ve been lucky to see osprey there most summers. I’m glad we passed by when we did because on our second visit in early September the nest was empty. The birds had probably begun their migration south.
They are beautiful birds but tricky to photograph given their dark plumage. This bird was looking for some lunch.
Ring-billed gulls don’t overwinter here, and will head towards the Great Lakes or the Southern United States when the cold sets in. They are very common during the warmer months and when seen outside the city, in a natural setting, are quite attractive birds.
Obviously, the signs don’t apply to this duck. 😏
I often see birds sleeping with one eye open. In this way they can be aware of danger as a part of their brain remains alert. As for the raised leg, it minimizes heat loss. Clever birds!
The American Black Duck is very similar in appearance to the female mallard, although its feathers are darker and its bill is an olive yellow. Not as common here as the mallard but still well represented.
A group of ducks on the water can be called a paddling of ducks. I think the term suits these mallards just fine.
If you wait awhile Canada Geese can strike some interesting poses or sometimes you just happen upon a scene like this.
I watched as the mother duck led her young ones towards the pond. They all fell into line except for the one at the rear 😊
There’s a wetland not far from town that we drive to a few times over the summer. When we pulled over we saw a solitary Egret fishing. I wasn’t using my longest lens but the 300mm did a fair job. After a few minutes, I looked away and when I looked back the bird was in the air. Look at those legs, pulled together like a diver in flight!
I took the male’s portrait and then his mate joined the frame. I think mallards are the comedians of the duck world.
The river was pretty choppy but this black duck knew exactly how to maneuver through it.
Pigeons are common and not very popular given their messy ways. A liked this one though, a very handsome bird.
I usually see grackles near water or in trees, so I was surprised to see this bird walking along in the grass. I know people with bird feeders tend to dislike grackles as they will bully the other birds. I like them though and admire their keen eye and good looks (they also keep the insect population down).
The water on this stretch of river has the most beautiful reflections. My good luck that the mallard decided to take that route.
The mallard had recently gotten out of the water and was drying off on the grass. I hesitated for a moment before I approached. It looked like a no nonsense duck!
Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in North America. As they don’t migrate we get to enjoy them year round. They have some fast moves as they forage, it pays to have a steady hand 😏.
I took a lot of photos of this tree swallow but most were in very harsh light. I finally got this photo under better lighting conditions but the bird’s eye is not visible. Its beautiful feathers make up for that though.
I took this photo as the mallard was emerging from the river. The duck didn’t look too pleased by my presence 😏
I like to see robins strike this pose, stretching to their full height. It stopped feeding for a moment, looked around and then continued on.
This downy woodpecker is one of the first I’ve seen this spring. She appeared to be considering how to approach the job of searching for insects.
If you see a Red-winged Blackbird, it’s supposed to be a lucky sign. Given that they usher in Spring, I would have to agree!
The red brick made an attractive backdrop for this common pigeon. Often maligned, I thought this bird had presence.
Walking along the path, I happened to look up and saw a wood duck sitting on the branch of a tree. There’s a first time for everything 😊
You can’t get much cuter than these goslings.
I took this Black-crowned Night Heron one day in May a few years ago. We’re having snow showers today. The early spring migrants must be wondering what’s up with this weather 😏
Warm spring days aren’t with us yet so it’s a bit cold for much photography. I continue to dip into my archives for now. A duck for your Monday viewing.
Wood Ducks are the most colourful ducks we see in this area. A few have been spotted here this spring. They return to breed and remain until the temperatures dip. I took these photos several years back.
I took this photo in the fall and the cardinal hadn’t quite finished moulting. A few weeks earlier he probably looked pretty rough, not here though.
The hammering sound broke the silence in the woods and we followed it to its source; a male hairy woodpecker excavating a tree.
We have a good number of mallards in my area and they’re a favourite on my blog. They’re handsome, lively ducks and you usually see them in large groups or rafts. This male mallard found the perfect spot for a quiet stretch.
I chose not to crop the photo. You can just see the sparrow but I thought this was really a landscape photograph.
Great Blue Herons migrate alone or in numbers and return here in early April. I saw this solitary heron on the water’s edge. With the water open it would find plenty to eat while it waited for its mates to arrive.
Chickadees are another bird I feature quite frequently. We are fortunate to have their lively presence year round in our woods and backyards.
Regular readers will know that mallards are favourites of mine. Looking at this bunch leaves little doubt why 😊.
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America. They are non migratory; their main food source are the larvae and insects that live in the bark of trees. I love to see these striking birds in winter’s muted landscape.
It was difficult to say which was more eye catching, the wood duck or the fall reflections. I was just happy to be there that day.
I took this photo one year at the very end of March. Although the river was thawing the goose must have regretted its early return.
The water was cold when this mallard took a swim. That, or just a bit of natural exuberance. 😊
Very similar in appearance to the Downy Woodpecker, the Hairy is distinguished by its larger size and bill length. Have to admire that fancy footwork too. 😊
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 