The days are sunny and cold right now, here’s a bit of warmth to add to the mix.
Tag Archives: Landscape
Night Owl
As owls are nocturnal, when I see them during the day they often look half asleep. The eastern screech owl is tiny and blends into its surroundings so well that you have to be pretty lucky to spot one.
LATE FALL – 3
This small lake attracts a lot of ducks; even in winter we see a few mallards. They are hardy. The wood ducks have left now but I did catch this one as it took a last solitary swim.
Downy Woodpecker
I haven’t seen many downy woodpeckers this year but I did see this one in the spring. I really like these little birds, our smallest woodpecker.
Wistful
While looking for a photo to post, I came across this flower I took last spring. A sweet memory 😔.
LATE FALL – 2
A few more migrants passing through, I’ve only seen ring-billed ducks a few times and always as it gets colder.
Late Fall
One last swim at the lake. The waterfowl usually remain until the lakes and rivers begin to freeze.
Eastern Phoebe
These flycatchers are one of my favourite songbirds. I look forward to their return next spring.
A Different View
We’re under a winter weather advisory (10 cms/4 inches is forecast). Luckily, I don’t have to be anywhere today and can watch the snow fall and swirl around from my window. When I was a kid the schools stayed open even with considerable snow. The snowfall would have to approach 25 cms/10 inches before we had a snow day. We could count on several each winter growing up.
I thought the daylily I took this summer would provide something else to look at 😏
In the Reeds
The red-winged blackbird had found a good perch and and finally moved its head long enough to give me a clear shot.
Canada Geese
From early spring to late fall I watch Canada Geese a lot 😊. I think they’re beautiful birds and when not acting up or messing up they make great subjects to photograph.
American Black Duck
Happily, some of these ducks remain during the colder months.
Dog Days
Along the river parkway there’s a landing for canoes, kayaks (and dogs) to enter the water easily. On our walks I always hope to come across a scene like this.
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.
Colour and Light
We were treated to a long and colourful fall. This particular display had the perfect balance of colour and light, reminding me of a stained glass window.
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 😊
ON THE WEB
Spiders are often associated with Halloween. In myth, spiders were believed to be the companions of witches, and linked to death, poison and things that go bump in the night. I happened to see this non-venomous orb spider on a fine sunny day. It didn’t pose a threat to me unlike the unfortunate insects in its web.
Spotted Jewelweed
I look for these wildflowers in the same spot every year. They grow on either side of a small footbridge in a nature reserve. Taken last month when it still felt like summer 😏
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.
SAVE SOME FOR LATER
This red squirrel was enjoying his snack and wasn’t about to assign the nut to his winter stockpile.
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.
Faces of Fall (Two Photographs)
More autumn scenes. We’re having a wonderful fall, cold one day and warmer the next; the leaves are hanging on and so are many flowers.
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 😊
DIFFERENT FACES OF FALL (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
As the season moves along you have to give your surroundings a closer look but there’s still plenty of beauty about.
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.
SUMMER’S END -2 (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I took these photos on a recent walk. As the days get cooler I linger a little longer and look a bit more closely at my surroundings.
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.
NOT ALL STING
The wasp found some goldenrod in bloom, most has faded by now. Despite their nasty sting, they are important pollinators and help keep the insect population down. Still though, I’m glad the goldenrod had its full attention.😏.
Summer’s End
At the end of summer the flowers in the fields are looking pretty spent, but there are some like this salsify that aren’t going quietly.
The Heron’s Court
The gulls were there first and then the Heron landed close by. It was as though they were expecting him 😏
ALONG THE PATH
The leaf almost seemed suspended in mid-air. It was only when I got closer that I saw it had been caught in the spider’s web along with an unfortunate insect. Another mini drama playing out right under my nose.
Late Bloomer
Despite their name, New England Asters are native to many Canadian provinces. We see them from mid-August through October. These were at the edge of a pond in good company.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 