We’re lucky to have downy woodpeckers here all year round as most birds migrate south during the winter. This male downy has found some insects to eat under the bark of the tree. They’re also seen more frequently at backyard feeders this time of year.
I was surprised the Cottontail didn’t run off when it saw me. We both froze and I got the shot.
On this grey afternoon a warm summer scene warms things up a bit.
Despite the cold, this time of year has its advantages. It’s easier to spot the locals. 😏
In the warmer months local birds have a wider variety of menu options.
We are lucky to see Nuthatches all year long.
A summer scene on a cold November day. It works wonders.
The light was just right on the morning I took this.
Hanging on just a bit longer…
With snow in the forecast, opportunities like this are fading quickly. Taking a camera out in cold weather is a challenge. My plan is to use my camera phone this winter to take some decent photos, I guess that means I’ll have to read the manual 😏
As the days get shorter and colder, seeing a last dandelion is something to relish!
Fall is a busy time for squirrels as they prepare for the approach of winter. It looked like this red squirrel was gathering nesting material for its winter accommodation.
I only had a few sightings of monarchs this summer. It’s nice to revisit them on a grey November day.
I saw this family of mallards in July. The young ducks will be all grown up by now.
Winter dining for local wildlife.
The woods still hold a bit of colour. These leaves looked like a streamer strung along the path.
I was out taking landscape photos with a wide angle lens but when I saw the nuthatch I thought I’d give it a try. You never know. 😊
The wood was a tangle of thickets and leaves. I’m glad I caught the foliage when I did as there are more leaves on the ground now than on the trees.
Some flowers fade sooner than others yet often leave a bit more to appreciate. I thought this was a good example and reminded me of a filagree necklace.
These flowers are a perfect pumpkin orange. All decked out for Halloween (and taken just a few days ago).
I pass by this spot quite often but I like it best in fall when the ivy turns colour and the trees cast long shadows.
These little sparrows landed on a fence right in front of me. I was lucky to get this shot, as a dog walker passed by a moment later and they flew off.
It’s hard to believe I took this last week. These late bloomers sure are hardy.
Many older apartment buildings on downtown corner lots have small gardens that look to be maintained by the tenants. Someone had fastened this endearing little sign to the wall.
It’s been very windy over the last few days and the trees are beginning to lose their leaves. This maple leaf was caught on its way down. I took it with a small f/stop so I got this attractive background.
We were taking photos of an adult and osprey chick on their nest at a respectful distance (with long lenses and at least 40 feet below 😏 ) but the osprey parent was not happy at all. It flew from the nest, circled above and flew uncomfortably low and close. We took the hint and walked quickly back to the car, content with the photos we had got.
Gardens in fall take on many forms here. This one had a more subdued display than some others in my recent posts. Still, with -C nights and +10C days it’s still looking pretty fine. I even saw a butterfly on a walk today.
I haven’t had many opportunities for bird photography this summer, so I was pleased to see this Blue Jay on the roof edge. I liked the way the elements of the building framed the bird.
We’ve been having a spectacular autumn. You don’t have to go into the countryside to enjoy the fall colours. Every tree in the neighbourhood seems to be celebrating the season.
I spent many summer afternoons walking along the river. Scenes like this always draw me back.
On a recent walk, I saw quite a few lady bugs flying around and landing close by. I caught this one on some sumac.
I liked the sparkles of colour and textures in an otherwise sombre river reflection. At another time of the day, the light would have made for a different photo.
Not a chick anymore and not quite adult but growing up fast.
The insect under question was misidentified as a Milkweed Beetle when first posted. (See Steve Gingold’s comment)
I was happy to get this shot so late in September as we’ve had several frost advisories at night. The milkweed bug didn’t seem to mind though. I had also planned to take landscape shots that morning, so this wasn’t taken with my macro gear. The natural light provided this interesting effect.
Early fall is a great time for photography. Late summer flowers vying for space with the autumn leaves. I liked the way the purple flowers were standing their ground.
I took this yesterday. Summer’s not quite over.
Many of us are feeling a little sorry that the warm weather is ending but scenes like this soften the blow 😏.
The Sumac is beginning to change colour here. These leaves have a shimmery glow to them.
The temperature’s getting cooler but these flowers are still in bloom, making you half believe that summer is still here.
Volunteers had built two nesting platforms by a local marsh and we’ve been lucky to see osprey there most summers. I’m glad we passed by when we did because on our second visit in early September the nest was empty. The birds had probably begun their migration south.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 