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.
Tag Archives: Birds
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.
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.
Young Wood Duck
We passed a wood duck and her young along the path. When I looked behind me about five young ducks seemed to be following me very closely for quite a distance. I was tempted to turn around and lead them back to their mother but in the end I didn’t have to as they decided to do that themselves. 😏
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!
Quite the Catch, Grackle
I watched the grackle with its catch hop along the shore for quite some time. I don’t know if it had a nest nearby because it didn’t fly off or stop to eat. I know the warm weather is here to stay when I start seeing these intelligent and attractive birds.
Break Time
Birds can be pretty funny. In this family unit the adult starling might just be “taking a time out” from the kids 😏
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.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 