As we turned the corner I saw these two and thought they looked pretty lifelike for lawn ornaments. When one duck moved its head I almost jumped. I’ve never seen a Pekin Duck before and never downtown. We stopped by to visit a few times over several days, more photos to come…
House sparrows are not native to North America but have adapted very well and are common in urban areas. I’m featuring a male and female I saw on a recent walk.
Goldfinches breed later in the summer than a lot of other birds. I watched as the goldfinch gathered nesting material and flew back and forth to her nest deep in the trees.
I thought the robin fit right in with its elegant surroundings.
The downy woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America. We see them all year round. If you hear a tapping sound in the woods it’s likely a downy going about its business.
I’m not sure what insect the robin had firmly in its grip. I think he was unsure of it as well 😏.
The sparrow had to really stretch to feed on the seeds of this dandelion. I’ve never seen bird behaviour like this before 😏.
The rock dove or common pigeon is not a bird I usually pay attention to but this one was kind of special. I had been aiming for a goldfinch that flew off as I approached but I didn’t walk away disappointed.
Nothing common about this Common or European Starling. Their plumage is extremely colourful and unlike many birds in the neighbourhood, they never shy away from my camera.
I didn’t have a chance to change the exposure compensation as the robin landed close by. I took the photo and despite how dark it was I liked it. I made a few adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop and this is the result.
I liked the shapes and swirls in this image, the water forming perfect circles around the little duckling.
I took this photo in August when the cardinal hadn’t finished moulting and was still a bit patchy. Still stylish though!
I like to capture the wake pattern as a duck races towards shore. Have to wonder what the hurry is 😏.
Despite that long neck, when a Great Blue Heron stands motionless it can blend in easily to its surroundings. They imitate statues quite well.
The merganser coming in for a landing reminded me of the game of skipping stones. I was a considerable distance from the duck but I liked the scene and used a Sepia Preset for added effect.
Canada Geese can be rather loud and aggressive but you’d never know it looking at these two.
No matter the season, chickadees are always around; near a feeder or seen in the woods. Although they’re common it’s hard to think of these little birds in that way.
The eastern phoebe is a member of the flycatcher family. With the arrival of spring they have returned to our area. Their distinctive song announces their presence often before you see them.
Spring is a season of firsts. First robin, first tulip, even first fly. Isn’t it great. 😊
One of the most attractive ducks that migrate through each year. I chose not to crop in further as the reflections in the water were also vying for attention.
A wood duck admiring its reflection.
These gulls have presence and this one was no exception. He looked around like he owned this patch of grass.
On this side of the reserve the river runs quickly. Threats to these mallard ducklings are fewer; the snapping turtles remain on the lake opposite and fewer hawks patrol the area. I came upon this family group on the river’s edge, two years ago. I hope to see similar scenes before too long.
With its wings by its side, the phoebe reminded me of a penguin. I took the photo a few years ago, so I can’t remember the reason for the unusual angle or light but it worked.
Not sure what’s going on here, not sure the mallard on the left knows either. Just another afternoon at the lake. 😏
This female cardinal gave me a strange look. I almost felt like I was trespassing as I passed by.
Mallards are among my favourite ducks, and a familiar subject on my blog. This duck was enjoying a swim on an early December morning.
I usually see pileated woodpeckers high up in the trees, often hearing them before I see them. It’s easier to spot them in winter when there are no leaves to block the view.
With their tucked in necks, these herons often look like they’re skulking around. I took this photo in early spring so it was easier to get a clear shot. This becomes tricky later in the season with all the greenery.
Some picnickers had just packed up and this ring-billed gull was checking for any leftovers. There was nothing left behind but the gull was polite enough to wait until they had gone.
Some mallards remain here year round. They can find enough to eat if the water along the shore remains free of ice and if people feed them. Canada Geese, on the other hand, fly south in late fall. Smart birds!
This was the first and only time I’ve seen a Chestnut-sided Warbler. Unlike many warblers at this reserve, it wasn’t hiding up in the pine trees, so I could get a clear shot. I wish it had turned a bit so I could have got more of its colouring but was still pleased to add another bird to my list.
I was pleased to get so close to this female hooded merganser. Often they’re out in the middle of the lake just beyond range. This duck found a quiet spot to enjoy the sun.
We usually see a few Great Egrets at the reserve every summer. When they’re not fishing the waters we often see them preening. This one was doing just that on the remains of an old tree.
The bright head of the house finch caught my eye, I didn’t see the less colourful female when I took the picture. Most finches I’ve seen are more rosy coloured. This one must have found a good crop of red berries as diet can effect their colouring.
Ring-billed gulls are often seen in parking lots and city parks, so it was nice to see this bird on the water. A much more fitting location for a seagull.
I was surprised to see a peregrine falcon as I passed along the shore. Peregrines swoop down on their prey from the air so it wasn’t hunting, probably just cooling off in the lake. Except for the falcon no other bird or squirrel was in sight.
The out of focus branches framed the chickadee nicely and also made him look like a little “jailbird”. He doesn’t look too happy about it 😏 .
There’s a natural channel in the lake that ducks often swim through. On this occasion I watched as a long line of ducks swam towards me before they went their separate ways.
I often see female wood ducks on their own or in very small groups. They are not as gregarious as mallards but have a charm all their own.
