These painted turtles were soaking up the June sunshine. Most summer days the logs are very crowded but so far this year turtle activity is sparse. I hope as the warmer days roll on we’ll see more of these turtles and some snapping turtles too.
Tag Archives: Landscape
DAISY, DAISY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
There’s something innocent about a daisy but the photo’s background suggested something a bit sinister. Although my eye was attracted by the flower I think what was behind it made the photo more interesting.
SUMMER BREEZE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
It’s a challenge to photograph flowers when the wind picks up a bit. Daisies can be seen in the fields and along roadsides everywhere right now. The goat’s beard is a less common wildflower and I’m always pleased to be able to photograph one.
WOOD DUCK CHICK
We’ve seen several paddlings of ducklings in the last few weeks. This duckling was swimming on its own for a while though never far from its mother. The waters are treacherous for these small birds; the lake has a fair number of snapping turtles and the reserve has its share of hawks (although I’ve seen neither this year). I always feel better when I see a duckling rejoin the group.
EASTERN PHOEBE
Thanks to BirdNation for correctly identifying the bird as a red-eyed vireo. I guess the text below isn’t too relevant now😏
The Eastern Phoebe is a member of the flycatcher family and returns to our woods in spring. Most of the birds on this particular day remained too far away to photograph. The Phoebe decided to fly in closer but remained in a shady spot. In this case, I think the shadow on his feathers added some interest.
ISN’T IT DELIGHTFUL (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
With the arrival of the warm weather in the last couple of days, I don’t know where to look or point my camera first. What a great feeling!
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
It was nice when this goldfinch positioned himself away from the leaves so I could get a clear shot. He was just within range of my lens and although happy to get the photo, I wish I had had my longer lens with me. Best news of all though, is that last week at this very spot we still wore wool against the cold, today it was 100% cotton!
MORE TULIPS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We returned to the site of our city’s annual Tulip Festival and caught these beauties on a sunny day. A late spring has its advantages; normally the tulips would have been well passed their prime. Not so this year.
TARDY TULIPS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I took these photographs at this year’s Tulip Festival in Ottawa. Given our cold rainy spring the tulips are slow to bloom. The majority of them look like those pictured below. They’re in a holding pattern (like the rest of us) waiting for sunnier days. The upside is that when they do open up we’ll be able to enjoy them later into the month.
COMPANY OF TWO
Not sure what caught the eye of these wood ducks but they certainly had my attention. They remained in this quiet cove for quite a while. This small lake in midsummer is a busy place full of noisy mallards. Perhaps the wood ducks were enjoying a momentary calm.
LOOKING UP
There are few things more pleasing than the colours of early summer. The ladybug was slowly making its way up the blade of grass. I watched it for a while before walking on. It’s a bit early yet for scenes like this but things are slowly coming into bloom; sunny days ahead.
PILEATED WOODPECKER
Even though the tree looked like it had been picked pretty clean, this pileated woodpecker still found it worth investigating. Our largest woodpecker, the pileated is always a pleasure to see and hear, with it’s rattling, slightly maniacal call that announces its presence.
COUPLE OF DUCKS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
These mallards and wood ducks are my first duck photos of the spring. A good number of mallards over-winter here, the wood ducks migrate in fall and return when most traces of snow are gone. Due to severe flooding we have been unable to return to this reserve. We’ll have a lot of catching up to do when it reopens.
GRACEFUL GOOSE
I saw a small flock of Canada Geese fly overhead the other day. No matter the temperature, they return here every spring. The grass has not begun to grow yet but with the rivers and lakes thawing I imagine geese are finding vegetation in the water to eat. I thought the bird in this photo struck a very swan-like pose.
FIELD IN FALL
Although my eye was drawn to the tall grass it was the field behind it, with its light and colour that completed the scene. All elements equally important. This photo was taken on a perfect fall day last year.
SPLISH, SPLASH
This grackle was enjoying the fine weather and a solitary bath in the lake. Although a common bird, I think their good looks and intelligence raise them above the ordinary.
SPRING BLUES
This wonderful wildflower was taken last spring. It’ll be a while before they pop through the soil this year. The ground is still pretty frozen but there are a few signs of spring – the sparrows chirping and rumours of the first crocus…
GREAT EGRET RETURNS
This is the second in a series of photos I took of an egret taking some turns on a beaver lodge. Perhaps he was digesting his lunch. There are some big catfish in this lake although the high water level might have made fishing difficult. I was at a sufficient distance not to disturb him and happily he was in no hurry to leave.
IRIS
Following a trail down to the lake one year, I spotted an Iris growing right off the water. I was standing close to the water’s edge, looking for ducks and almost missed the flower tucked to the side. Every June, I follow the same trail down to the lake and continue to see the Iris return each year.
LATE IN THE SEASON (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
It was late fall and the geese would be flying south soon. When the trees are bare I get a different feel for the landscape. I can appreciate its starkness and see the detail that is normally overlooked in summer. The geese add additional interest to the scene.
NUTHATCH
I like to hear the nuthatch’s nasal call, often alerting me to its presence in the woods. As they move along the tree trunks and branches so quickly, it’s often hit or miss to capture one in focus. Oh, but when you do😊.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
The white-throated sparrow is a common visitor to backyard feeders but having neither a backyard or a feeder I spotted this bird in the woods. I usually see a few in season but no more than that. This little bird perched himself on a fallen tree and remained there long enough for me to take his photo.
FLOWER POWER (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
When I was a kid at summer camp we used to call hawkweed (above) the devil’s paintbrush. Both are common names for this attractive flower although the latter appealed more to the imagination of ten year olds! I don’t think I really took notice of the yellow salsify before I picked up a camera. It was while composing in camera and in the editing that I began to appreciate the flower’s detail and form.
GREAT EGRET
It’s unusual to see an egret perched on a beaver lodge, normally we see them wading in the water or fishing. The bird stood there for quite a while and I managed to get him in several poses, the first of which is shown here. Most summers we see several egrets and herons in this one location, not last year. The lake was very high which must have made for challenging conditions. They likely found some easier spots to fish.
CEDAR WAXWING
Another sign of spring is the return of cedar waxwings. We usually see them in a group or ear-full (as they’re known collectively) but I only saw this one bird. It was nice to get him out in the open before the leaves were out.
RING-BILLED GULL
The Ring-billed gull is the most common gull in North America and like many birds migrates south in the winter. I took this photograph in November. It was nice to see the bird in a natural setting as they often congregate in city parking lots. It perched on the log for quite a while where I could appreciate its good looks, something I had never really noticed before.
STILL LIFE
The fungi and vine on the tree trunk formed a very pleasing arrangement. Nature’s artistry. The bark of the tree added texture and detail.
IT’S ALL RELATIVE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This cute little rodent is a relative of the mouse and is commonly called a vole or field mouse. It’s the only one I’ve ever seen and I was able to take a number of photographs as he was unaware of or unconcerned by my presence. He might have been a young animal that had not yet developed a sense of fear. I watched him for a while and then left him to his ramble.
EASTERN COTTONTAIL
Cottontails are known to come out at twilight or once it’s dark when it’s safer for them to feed, although I spot them during the day from time to time. Cottontails are solitary and territorial and I’ve never seen more than one at any one time. I approached this rabbit slowly. He was curious but didn’t seem wary of me. I took a quick photo and left him to the spring grass.
EASTERN GREY SQUIRREL
Before the snow arrived in mid-December there were still pine cones and seeds for the taking. Between storing food for the winter ahead, this eastern grey squirrel stopped for a bite. The trees were bare and provided little colour to warm the scene. I liked the way the black and white treatment brought out the detail and texture.
DOWNY WOODPECKER
I heard her before I saw this downy woodpecker. She was drilling away for insects as I was walking by. As is often the case, you will hear a bird before you see it. Unlike her male counterpart which has a small red cap, the female downy does not but other than that they look pretty much alike.
MORE DUCKS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
These photos were taken in October at different locations. The first by the river’s edge with low lying vegetation, the second photo of the mallard and his American black duck friend in a forest setting. In the first there is no mistaking the subject, in the second I believe the ducks share the stage with the brilliant fall reflections.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
The goldfinch was moving between the late Fall sunflowers, feeding as it went. It seemed to have the field to itself as I saw no other birds around. It was quite acrobatic, most times balancing upside down. I was pleased to get this shot right-side up in perfect natural light.
A G&T KIND OF DAY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Geese and turtles that is. This old tree still attracts wildlife during the warmer months. Ducks, turtles and geese swim over and sit a while. Though not much of the tree is left standing I love it’s graceful silver arch. I’ve always known it in this spot and hope it continues to stand and provide enjoyment to visitors and wildlife well into the future.
A LOOK BACK
Not getting out with my camera in the current -18C temperatures and craving a bit of colour I decided to highlight these fleabane daisies. They say summer, warmth and colour. When it warms up a bit I’ll venture out with my camera but until then I’ll relive sunnier times with photos like these.
GOSLINGS
These goslings got their start this past June, the month when new bird life begins to appear in my corner of the world. We enjoy new beginnings then and now, the official start of the year. Happy New Year everyone!
NORTHERN CARDINAL
Cardinals rarely look placid particularly when their heads are on a tilt fixing you with a stare. This and their colouring make them great subjects. We see them in our woods all year round. On a cold snowy day seeing this red flash in the trees is always a bright spot.
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
Nuthatches are flighty birds but this one stayed still for a while so I was able to take several photographs. He wasn’t foraging for insects when I photographed him so he remained upright instead of striking the usual sideways or upside down pose. Although considered quite common I rarely see a red-breasted nuthatch and was very pleased to see this one.
TIME OF THE SEASON (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Late Fall. The playground is silent, the trees are bare, too cold for the kids and the birds! Most of the colour comes from man-made materials, until the temperature dips and the sun comes out. Then there is no bluer a sky or a white so brilliant as the new snow. These are the colours of Winter.
SERVING OF SUMMER (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I live in Ottawa, the capitol city that is often ranked the coldest in the world. It’s hard to believe that only a few short months ago the nearby fields were covered in flowers. Here’s a sweet reminder of what’s to come.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 