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. 😊
Black-capped chickadees, all season favourites.
I took this photo in late fall as the water was just beginning to freeze. Mallards tolerate the cold and quite a few remain in this location all year. We’re under an extreme cold warning tonight and while we add on the layers, I can’t helping wondering how the ducks will manage.
Eastern Phoebes are elegant little birds. This one looked a bit ruffled. Maybe it was due to the early hour or it was just moulting.
Winter doesn’t seem as long and bleak when there are Cardinals in the woods.
Happy New Year!
I took this photo in June a few years ago. The black-crowned night heron was in fine breeding plumage but it looked like he hadn’t quite finished grooming.
I took this photo in late September when the Cardinal hadn’t finished moulting. He’ll need those head feathers now given the cold temperatures!
Happy Holidays!
Chickadees are great little aerialists and quick. Always nice when one slows down long enough to take its picture.
You’d think a duck’s feet would freeze standing on an icy pond. Unlike mammals, they regulate their bodies differently so that standing on an icy surface is almost like a walk in the park 😏
The goldfinch landed on the thistle just as I was winding up my walk. Before long it began to feed on the plants’ seeds. I took a lot of photos as the bird didn’t seem to mind my being there. More to come…
This female wood duck was just scratching an itch but you could read more into her expression.
I took this photo on a mild October day while walking along the river. The gull seemed to be enjoying the relative warmth too.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 