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.
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 😊
I thought the robin bore a striking resemblance to Batman’s sidekick 😊
Black-capped chickadees know all the best places!
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. 😏
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 😊
I liked this duck tableau, taken in late fall just before most of our mallards headed south.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This will be a running theme on my blog for the next little while…
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.
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. 😏
Sometimes that’s all you can do 😏
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.
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.
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.
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.
To a bright year ahead. Happy New Year!
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!
Wishing you all the best for the Holidays!
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 😏
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.
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.
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.
Birds seem to like perching on overhead wires. This starling pair got a nice view up there.
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.
These goslings must be full grown now, getting ready to fly south for the winter.
I like getting a bird looking in my direction. Sizing me up perhaps 😊
She was swimming up to shore and I was lucky to be standing right there.
This duck is also known as the little bluebill for obvious reasons.
This little house sparrow was taking a walk on the porch like he owned the place 😊
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.
I love catching geese this this, straight on and looking a bit goofy 😊
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.
I took the photo between the rails of a small bridge. The heron was positioned so close by , I had to twist a bit to get the shot. It had a few wispy feathers on the top of its head but other than that it looked like a mature bird.
It’s that time in the season when young birds are maturing and looking more like adult birds. This wood duck is almost there but not quite. It still has some time to enjoy its youth. 😊
I’ve never seen a juvenile Red-winged Blackbird before. An exciting first; I liked its striking wing patches.
