Buttercups and fleabane daisies are considered weeds but I prefer to call them wildflowers, Both of these photos were taken in the woods where they grow freely. The frothy substance on the stem of the buttercup is produced by immature spittlebugs, a definite concern for gardeners yet it appears on a variety of garden plants as well.
The trees along this path are close to the river bank and almost touch the water. I was rewarded with these reflections on a recent walk.
It’s always nice to see the first damselflies of spring.
I liked the leaves in this photo, the damselfly on the left was secondary.
Every year at this time, these wild rose bushes are covered in bees. We had taken a walk about two weeks ago to see how the flowers were developing but they were just beginning to bud. This past weekend we returned and were happy to see some bees gathering pollen.
I didn’t see the heron catch anything but he was certainly trying.
It seems that every week, new flowers are appearing in gardens and woodlands. Not enough time to catch them all 😊
I took this earlier in the Spring as the migrants were beginning to return. This little island was a perfect spot for the birds to have a look around,
I don’t know what the grackles were looking at but it sure grabbed their attention.
There are new flowers in bloom everytime I look around. Today I noticed this iris beaming back at me.
Do you ever have the feeling you’re being watched 😏
There are many collective nouns for robins. How nice that bobbin is one of them. It’s been a very good year for this bird as I’ve had many sightings.
The temperature still dips at night and the daytime highs are struggling to reach 20Cs/68F but the sun is warm and the turtles have started to reappear. This painted turtle continues to wear a familiar grumpy expression too.
Often considered a weed as it self seeds in lawns and gardens, the common blue violet is native to eastern North America. I look forward to them every spring.
This was my first sighting of a Black-crowned Night Heron this year, looking somewhat ruffled.The suburban park where I took this photo borders the river and attracts a lot of wildlife. I wonder what’s next 😊
I saw this plant at a recent visit to a local wildlife garden. I thought it looked a bit like an aquatic plant. I haven’t been able to identify it.
Not sure what happened here, all was calm and then this 😏
The Red-winged blackbird stood out against the dry grass. I had my choice of these birds to photograph on a recent walk.
I’ve seen more Red-winged blackbirds this spring than I have in many years. More males than females though, so I was pleased to see and hear this female.
Mallards are among my favourite ducks and I feature them frequently. More to come 😊
I was surprised at the fall-like colours of these leaves, colours I associate with September not April (when I took this). A plant I’ve never seen before.
I like the way these flowers grow. They know exactly how to show off their colours.
Like many other migrants, starlings reappear in early spring. As attractive as they are, they are an invasive species in Canada, compete with native birds for food and can cause a lot of agricultural damage. I watched as this one and its mate tore across the grass.
There’s nothing like a sunflower to perk up the day.
I’ve seen several robins recently but this time I had my camera with me.
I saw my first Red-winged blackbird the other day, so did the mallard 😏
After months of cold greys and whites, spring is showing off its colours.
The weather was truly spring-like last weekend. It’s wonderful to see crocus pushing up through last fall’s dried leaves.
I’m not sure how the argument got started but it ended soon enough!
An early spring snowstorm is forecast for tomorrow so I thought I’d do a bit of daydreaming .😏
Seeing a Red-winged Blackbird is a sure sign that spring has arrived. This photo was taken last year, around this date 😏.
I enjoyed watching the young goose tentatively explore its environment.
The calendar says spring but the temperature is struggling to reach double digits. No snow though so maybe we’ve turned a corner. 😏
This small man made lake attracts a lot of waterbirds during the nicer months. The water is crowded and the birds seem to get along. I liked the way the gulls appeared to form a guard around the sunning cormorants.
I took this at a nearby conservation area I should visit more often. A boardwalk winds its way through this section of the popular reserve but looking out it feels like you’re the only one there.
Late each summer grasshoppers show up in great numbers. They’re skittish and scatter as you walk along. I watched this one as it jumped off the path into the grass and nestled in the leaf.
I enjoy taking scenes like this. The fall foliage casts beautiful reflections on the river.
Balancing rocks, another public art gallery to enjoy while walking along the Ottawa River.
Viceroys, another one of summer’s delights.
Stopping to stretch my legs at a highway rest stop, I heard the familiar honking of geese overhead. Looking up I caught the team as they flew by. Another sign of spring’s return. 😊
It’s been so grey lately it was time for a little colour. Although taken in late summer the flowers didn’t fade quietly.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 