I usually see these stocky birds in the reeds waiting patiently for a passing fish or frog. I rarely see one in flight. This heron blended in quite well to its surroundings except for those striking yellow feet.
Tag Archives: Birds
Touching Down
We’ve had a lot of mild weather this November and there are still some Canada Geese around. I caught this one as it was landing.
CITY JAY
A Blue Jay sighting on a recent neighbourhood walk.
QUIET MOMENT
It’s nice to catch a mallard in a quiet moment, the fall reflections makes it even nicer.
LESSER SCAUPS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This past summer we were treated to the appearance of lesser scaups. We only saw them twice but they provided a lot of photo opportunities. A new bird for me 😊
Great Egret
I took this photograph in a suburban park that borders the river. We usually see a few of the large herons on the river but I’ve never see one land in the pond before. And what a landing 😊.
SERENDIPITY
I hadn’t seen a Blue Jay in months and then on a recent city walk, one landed close by. We had just turned off a busy street into a laneway and he followed close behind.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea
If a duck could look wistful, I think this one did. 😊
Black-crowned Night Heron
All of the herons who migrate here in the spring have flown south by now but I thought it would be nice to look back to earlier in the season. I took this photo in May, The heron was sporting its breeding plumage including its white head plumes which were just visible in this shot.
EYE TO EYE, WOOD DUCK
It’s nice when you can position yourself at the level of your subject. The wood duck’s direct gaze was nice too.
DUCK BUSINESS
The ducks seemed to be swimming with a purpose known only to them 😊
A QUIET MOMENT
Another common waterbird here, this Canada Goose was grooming itself away from the flock.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE DUCK
I featured a female mallard on my blog yesterday. The male mallard has a guest spot today. One of my favourite ducks for their spirit and good looks. 😊
MID-WEEK MALLARD
I saw a lot of ducks swimming along the lake the day I was there. This female mallard was on her own and very close to shore. I liked her pose and took the shot.
CANADA GEESE IN FALL
Canada Geese are on the move. We see and hear them overhead flying in V formations. With the weather getting colder it won’t be long before scenes like this will be over for the year.
Wigeon in Fall
I caught sight of this American Wigeon through a break in the trees. My only sighting this year. It must have been resting up on its migration south.
Fall Wood Duck
The reflections this time of year are spectacular, the wood duck is icing on the cake 😊
REFLECTIONS
I see the occasional duck on this pond. Today though, the mallard was secondary.
Early Fall
Not too far from the centre of the city is this wonderful reserve that I visit often. As the birds get ready for their fall migration they often stop here before they fly south. They seem to like this old tree too; every time I visit I’m happy to see that it’s still standing. A pleasant place for all before the real cold sets in.
Splendid Isolation
Someone on the path pointed to the duck and asked me if I knew what kind it was. I couldn’t give her an answer but I liked how it sat a distance from shore absorbing the late summer sunshine.
WOOD DUCK
I had taken a photo of this same wood duck napping, back in August, I took this a few minutes later once she had woken up.
Goofy Goose
Canada Geese are usually elegant in flight. I took this quite a while ago but I believe he was coming in for a landing, a rather awkward one 😏.
SNOW BIRDS
The Canada Geese are certainly on the move. They begin their migration in September and most will have headed south by next month.
ANIMAL CRACKERS
If the gull could read I wonder if he’d agree? This park is a favourite with picnickers. The gulls must have a ball!
The Heron’s Court
The gulls were there first and then the Heron landed close by. It was as though they were expecting him 😏
The Usual Line Up
There are a lot of geese and gulls on the river right now. They seem to tolerate each other quite well.
TEST FLIGHT
Although the Canada Geese have not begun to migrate south we’re seeing them flying overhead a lot more lately. There’s still plenty for them to eat so they’ll be here for a while yet.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
We visited a local wildlife garden recently and saw more that morning than we had in several recent visits. Among the sightings was this American Goldfinch. He was moulting now that breeding season is over and will soon migrate further south.
HAPPY GO LUCKY
At least it looks that way to me 😊
YOUNG MALE WOOD DUCK
Wood ducks really don’t have a bad side 😊 .
Ravens
I like Ravens in silhouette.
CANADA GOOSE
Canada Geese migrate south when the temperature turns cold. Not everyone’s favourite waterbird but I enjoy them especially like this, taking a quiet swim.
CLOSE CALL
We had noticed a snapping turtle close by and hoped the young wood duck would veer off before the turtle got too close. Fortunately she did.
Great Blue Heron
The few Great Blue Herons I’ve seen this summer have been at quite a distance. I usually see them fishing in the reeds close to shore. This pond is large and not very deep. I guess the heron was trying his luck a little further afield.
BUDDIES
A lot of old trees have fallen into the lake making nice perches for birds and turtles. These ducks were sharing this one in amiable silence.
Late Afternoon Swim
I caught these geese in a quiet moment. Canada Geese can be very elegant birds, especially when they’re not acting up or messing up. 😏
SLEEPY WOOD DUCK
In the heat of the day, this female wood duck found a quiet spot for a nap.
ROBIN
You know what they say about the early bird…
EASTERN PHOEBE
We’re not the only ones who seek the shade on these hot summer days. It can make for some challenging photography.
FEMALE WOOD DUCK
I tend to see wood ducks in small groups or swimming off on their own. They do mingle with other ducks but tend to be quieter types.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 