Birds can be pretty funny. In this family unit the adult starling might just be “taking a time out” from the kids 😏
Tag Archives: Birds
Family Swim
Goslings can swim within 24 hours of hatching. Their parents coat them in waterproof oils to keep them buoyant. Amazing 😊. It takes them longer to learn to fly,, about 10 weeks.
A Touch of Yellow
Looking out the window the other day, I spotted this goldfinch looking in my direction. I didn’t have a chance to change my camera lens, I just took the shot. In this case the bird was an attractive element to the overall landscape.
Exception to the Rule
European Starlings were introduced to North America in the late 19th century and are considerd invasive. They compete for nesting sites and can cause extensive agricultural damage. This individual though was content to search the grass for something to eat and only snagged a dandelion.
Gosling
We took a walk along the river on the weekend and came across two pairs of Canada Geese and their young. Given what a slow start to spring we’ve had, I was particularly happy to see that some things continue right on schedule 😊
Super Hero
I thought the robin bore a striking resemblance to Batman’s sidekick 😊
Fine Dining
Black-capped chickadees know all the best places!
Red, Red Robin 🎵
The temperature has taken a dip but the robins know it’s spring and they serve as a reminder to those of us who are back to wearing warm jackets. 😏
A Classic
Ducktail that is. Male woods duck could have been the inspiration for the ’50s ducktail haircut. We saw our first wood duck pair at the lake last week, very exciting 😊
Last Swim
I liked this duck tableau, taken in late fall just before most of our mallards headed south.
High Wire Act
Early for an appointment, I sat in the parking lot waiting to go in. Overhead I saw some crows fly in and took this photo.
Cormorant
Cormorants tend to swim and perch far offshore. I would have liked to have been closer to the bird but it did pose rather nicely all the same.
Messy Business
Great Egrets are usually so pristine lookong but when it comes to hunting for food a bird can get a bit dirty. The egrets and herons who fish close to shore are usually successful but end up looking a bit messy.
Solitary Swim
I often see female mallards taking a solitary swim, they must enjoy the quiet 😏 . I was fortunate that this one was swimming into nice reflections.
Coming Attractions – 2
I like grackles although they have a poor reputation as bullies and agricultural pests. Despite that they’re attractive, intelligent birds that can be fun to watch as they strut around the grass. I look forward to their return in early spring.
Coming Attractions
This will be a running theme on my blog for the next little while…
Lucky Duck
We’re fortunate to have a nice variety of ducks. Last year was a very good year for wood ducks. I saw this young female towards the end of the summer.
American Black Duck
We see quite a few American Black Ducks during the warmer months. They resemble female mallards though they’re darker and their bills are yellow, they are also heavier than mallards. They seem less rowdy too but perhaps that’s because there are fewer of them. 😏
One Foot in Front of the Other
Sometimes that’s all you can do 😏
In Transit
We usually see Lesser Scaups for a few days in the spring as they migrate through eastern Ontario. Their primary breeding range is further north and west. It’s always a pleasure to see them though, if only briefly.
His Best Side – Wood Duck
I took this photo in early fall. The duck had regrown his fine feathers to be ready for the breeding season in spring. We should begin seeing them again in April.
Winter Blue
We’re lucky to see Blue Jays in winter. They’re clever birds and store large quantities of food in hidden caches as well as show up at bird feeders during the colder months.
Close Call
Though we live in the city, there’s a nature reserve close by that we go to frequently. Good years attract a lot of ducks and geese and several herons. The pond supports turtles and birds. This young wood duck was swimming quite close to where we had just seen a snapping turtle go by. Fortunately she didn’t linger long.
Make a Big Splash
To a bright year ahead. Happy New Year!
Park Time
Canada Geese seem to enjoy this park as much as people do. There’s a lot of grassy lawn, shade trees and the river is close by. Just add a bit of sun, perfect!
Holiday Greetings
Wishing you all the best for the Holidays!
Summer Visitor
I stopped by the lake where I took this photo last summer. I had hoped to see some wildlife to photograph but there was nothing about. Looking through my files when I got home, I came across this cormorant swimming through some pretty reflections and felt a bit better about this whole winter thing 😏
Spreading its Wings
It’s nice to revisit spring when things are anything but outside. I caught this very young gosling spreading its wings one day last May.
Too Long Gone
Recently, I went out to the little pond I see wood ducks in season but it was frozen over and snow covered. As I took many photos of them last summer here’s one of a young duck to chase away the winter blues.
Late Summer Mallard
I took this photo in August. The mallard hadn’t quite finished molting but as he was out in the open I assume his flight feathers had grown in.
Balancing Act
Birds seem to like perching on overhead wires. This starling pair got a nice view up there.
Young One – 3
I’ve never seen a juvenile European Starling before and at first I wasn’t quite sure what it was. Then I saw a mature bird close by which confirmed it.
All Grown Up
These goslings must be full grown now, getting ready to fly south for the winter.
Nice and Direct
I like getting a bird looking in my direction. Sizing me up perhaps 😊
Wood Duck
She was swimming up to shore and I was lucky to be standing right there.
Lesser Scaup
This duck is also known as the little bluebill for obvious reasons.
Sparrow Walk
This little house sparrow was taking a walk on the porch like he owned the place 😊
Grackle
I took this earlier in the summer, I haven’t seen any grackles in a while, though it’s a bit early for their fall migration.
Good Morning, Goose
I love catching geese this this, straight on and looking a bit goofy 😊
Wood Duck
We’ve enjoyed seeing a fair number of Wood Ducks this year. I featured this young female late last month, her pose is different here.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 