It has been very hot here lately. Just off the path I found a little shade along with this daisy.
Tag Archives: Nature
ROBIN
I’ve seen a lot of robins this spring and summer. They are always a welcome sight.
SOFT LANDING
Into a bed of roses.
SEEN ON A WALK
I thought these looked like autumn flowers although the photo was taken in May.
Canada Goose
The goose had found a tranquil spot though its young were just off to the side.
IN A GARDEN
It seems to be a summer of encountering plants I don’t remember seeing before. It stood out amongst the other vegetation. (I believe it’s goat’s beard.)
LADYBUG
There’s something very nice about seeing the first ladybug of the season.
WALK ON BY
I couldn’t take my eyes off of the ducklings but the gull was unimpressed 😏.
GOSLING IN THE GRASS
It seems like a good summer for goslings. I’ve seen quite a few. I was lucky with the light here.
DAY LILY
Although you often see day lilies growing along roadsides, fields and in gardens they are not native to North America but Asia. Right now they’re popping up everywhere. This one was dressing up the side entrance of a neighbourhood house.
PAINTED TURTLE
I don’t often see turtles as close as this one was. Occasionally I’ll see one swimming by but more often they’re sunning themselves in the middle of the lake.
DINING ON DAISIES
I watched as the insect (wasp?) flew between the flowers, its face covered in pollen.
LAZY, HAZY DAYS OF SUMMER
It was a perfect Sunday morning.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
The day was overcast and the colours muted. I thought the scene lent itself to black and white.
WATCHFUL
We stopped the car to stretch our legs and I noticed this curious grouping of plants by the side of the road. I wonder if they’re a form of teasel. I’d love to know, can anyone identify them?
(Mystery solved, see below)
GOSLING IN THE GRASS
The gosling peered at me through the tall grass never far away from its watchful parent.
TREE SWALLOW
I took quite a few photos of this tree swallow in May. There are nesting boxes nearby. I should get back there and check on them.
COMMON GRACKLE
I’ve seen only a few grackles this year, this one was close enough to get a decent image. Like some other birds, grackles have a bad reputation. They can be bullies at feeders and forage in gardens and farmers’ fields. I enjoy them though and like the way the sun illuminates their plumage. Another bird that migrates here during the warm months.
SPOTLIGHT
The woods are thick with vegetation now, pleasantly cool and shady. The sun found its way through the bush and illuminated these flowers beautifully.
LOOKING SMART
A little clean up does wonders. The mallard stood by the water’s edge and did a little preening after its swim.
BEES ABOUND
Up until now I have seen very few bees. Then I remembered a patch of wild roses where I had seen a good number of bees last summer. We took a walk there and were not disappointed.
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE…
Some might just see weeds but I see more. I like the little bug centre stage as well.
BY THE LAKE
By the side of the lake the remains of a tree was coming into leaf. It had been battered by harsh weather over the years but still had some Spring in it.
THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE…
… Ant! I was surprised to see what the robin had in its beak. I guess it couldn’t find a worm 😏
NATURE’S CURVES
On a recent walk, my spouse pointed out the remains of a flower. He said it reminded him of a musical symbol. I had the right lens on my camera (he didn’t) so I gave it a try. I thought the title of my post was pretty apt as it describes the subject as well as the idea that you don’t always have the right gear to capture something that appeals to you.
SPRING WHITE
I’m not a great fan of white flowers but these prove the exception. Almost as pretty in bud as in flower.
KING OF THE HILL
The male mallard had a good view of his watery domain.
WILD VIOLET
Another spring favourite.
FEMALE DOWNY WOODPECKER
I took this photo on a windy day and the wind had re-arranged this downy’s head feathers a bit. She was taking a quick break from her foraging.
MIGHTY ANT
Ants and peonies seem to go together. Ants protect the flowers from nuisance pests and the flowers provide the ants with nectar. A win win. I enjoy these flowers too as well as the sport of catching an ant as it speeds around the peony buds!
BLACKBIRD’S SNACK
I haven’t seen too many insects yet, the temperature is warm one day and cold the next. It’s not presenting a problem for this Red-winged Blackbird though.
RACE YA’ – GOSLINGS
Like most youngsters these two were in a hurry. We saw a lot of goslings on our walk. This is the first of many more photos to come.
CHIPPING SPARROW
There were several sparrows feeding on the ground but the smaller chipping sparrow stood out with its distinctive markings and smaller size. It’s a migratory bird and nice to see back in Spring.
HONEYSUCKLE
Let’s just call it Honeysuckle 😏
(See comment below)
This plant is an attractive but invasive species introduced to North America in the late 1800s from Asia. Unlike the native honeysuckles they leaf out early and remain in leaf into the fall. Like many invasive plants, they are hardy and outcompete native plants for space and nutrients. They are pretty though and a common sight each spring.
READY, SET, GO
A good approach to the week ahead!
FOREST FLOOR
While walking along a path looking for wild flowers I spotted this tree stump studded with fungi. As the tree breaks down it continues serves a role in the forest.
THIS OLD HOUSE IN MAY
I often return to this corner of my neighbourhood and this house in particular. I love the warm red brick and during spring and summer. wild and cultivated flowers take their turn in the sun.
FEMALE CARDINAL
We returned to one of our favourite wildlife gardens after a long absence and were not disappointed. There was a tremendous variety of birds, including this attractive cardinal.
SPRING PARADE
Undercover all winter, it’s finally time for the colours and shapes of spring.
TREE SWALLOW
I was tempted to crop a bit closer to show off the swallow’s expression but I wanted to highlight the spring leaves as well.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 