As winter approaches, the landscape becomes drab. This fine looking mallard added some much needed colour. A few resident ducks remain throughout the winter; close to shore the river remains open and they find a way to carry on.
Tag Archives: Birds
GOLDEN
This goldfinch was the last thing I expected to see in surroundings like these. You just never know š .
Marvellous Mallards
I took this photograph one December day when the light was just right. The maleās head was the emerald green you see here, I didn’t enhance the colour.
QUIET SUNDAY – 2
Another scene taken on the weekend. The cormorants and gulls looked like board game pieces.
YOU TOOK MY SPOT
Standing on a pedestrian bridge, I watched some gulls fly overhead. I havenāt taken many birds in flight shots and thought Iād practice as this gull came in for a landing. I liked the expression on the other bird!
GARDEN VARIETY
Canada Geese are pretty commonplace. Not always welcome, they can be loud and messy but they still hold an appeal. Right now we see them in large V formations, heading south.
EASTERN PHOEBE
Eastern Phoebes migrate south between September and November, so this is probably the last one Iāll see until Spring. We enjoy them for only a short period so every sighting is a pleasure.
SCREECH OWL AND THE FOREST (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The screech owl I saw a few weeks ago is still around, It had changed trees and I had a different lens this time. I liked the wider shot below, but also cropped in close to give a better view of the owl.
GREAT EGRET
I had few opportunities to photograph Great Egrets this summer but I did get a few chances. I hope to have more next year.
ALL SEASON FAVOURITE
Weāre fortunate to see black-capped chickadees all year round. Iām always amazed at how a bird so tiny can survive our winters!
CALM (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The mallard pair found a quiet spot near shore. No other ducks, barely a breeze; a perfect moment.
AMERICAN WIGEON
Another wigeon photo I took one November day. It looked like he was enjoying his greens š.
SEASON DRAWING DOWN
This scene was taken on a late fall day a few years ago but today’s cold wind is a hint of whatās to come. The wood ducks hold on until the first frost, so theyāll be around for a bit longer.
EASTERN SCREECH OWL (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We took a walk recently along the edges of a local reserve; we havenāt walked its trails since Covid struck, the place is packed with people. The crowds must have driven this eastern screech owl out of the park and close to where we were walking. Weāve only seen these owls in daylight and usually looking half asleep š .
STARLING
European starlings have a bad reputation – they can push native birds from nesting cavities, damage crops and more. Yet, after a long winter, theyāre one of the first birds to return and are attractive with their iridescent colouring. This individual looked pretty mellow.
BIRD BUDDIES
There were a lot of ring-billed gulls fishing on the river. These two immature birds took a time out.
CAUGHT IN THE REFLECTION
As attractive as wigeons are, I think the reflections make the photograph. The colours were just right on this early November day.
SUNDAY DUCK
Duck enjoying a quiet paddle.
FALL HERON
I was taking in the scenery when I saw a Great Blue Heron doing the same. It was early November and heād be leaving soon for sunnier climes.
GREAT EGRET – 2
Another lazy day on the river; a Great Egret stretching its legs.
FEMALE HOUSE SPARROW
House sparrows are common in our cities and attractive little birds. Local nesting spots are in the eaves of an office building and in the crevice of a house in the neighbourhood. I check these spots out every spring.
PEKIN DUCKS – 2
Earlier in the summer we ran into this charming pair in a small yard downtown. We looked for them every time we passed by. We went back a few times and then one day they were gone. I hope they found a place in the country and didnāt meet with fowl play š.
SOME KIND OF DUCK
Itās been a while since Iāve photographed any ducks but I believe this is a non breeding male mallard. Looking Good š.
GREAT EGRET
Weāve had few opportunities to see or photograph great egrets in the last year and a half. Our favourite reserve has been jam-packed since Covid struck and we havenāt been back. We parked by the Ottawa River recently hoping to see one of these beautiful birds and luck was with us.
RIVER VIEW (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Thereās a spot on the river where the cormorants gather. The silhouetted bird was sharing the tree with four other birds. I wish I had a longer lens that day.
RING-BILLED GULL
I saw this young gull by the river and I liked the pose it struck. We normally see gulls in the city, congregating in groups. When they fly overhead, itās wise to keep an eye on the sky š.
SECOND LOOK
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. Iāve never seen a Pekin Duck before and never downtown. We stopped by to visit a few times over several days, more photos to comeā¦
DOWNTOWN BIRDS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
House sparrows are not native to North America but have adapted very well and are common in urban areas. Iām featuring a male and female I saw on a recent walk.
FEMALE GOLDFINCH
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.
CITY BIRD
I thought the robin fit right in with its elegant surroundings.
DOWNY WOODPECKER
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 itās likely a downy going about its business.
ROBIN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Iām not sure what insect the robin had firmly in its grip. I think he was unsure of it as well š.
LUNCH
The sparrow had to really stretch to feed on the seeds of this dandelion. Iāve never seen bird behaviour like this before š.
PIGEONS ROCK
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 didnāt walk away disappointed.
UNCOMMON STARLING
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.
ROBIN GOTHIC
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.
ALL TUCKED IN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I liked the shapes and swirls in this image, the water forming perfect circles around the little duckling.
LAST SEASON
I took this photo in August when the cardinal hadnāt finished moulting and was still a bit patchy. Still stylish though!
HEADING HOME (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I like to capture the wake pattern as a duck races towards shore. Have to wonder what the hurry is š.
IN THE REEDS
Despite that long neck, when a Great Blue Heron stands motionless it can blend in easily to its surroundings. They imitate statues quite well.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 