One in a group of Lesser Scaups we saw at the very beginning of last month. They are known to breed in the west of the country and in smaller numbers in eastern Canada.
Tag Archives: Nature
Over The Fence – 2 (Two Photographs)
More glimpses of neighbourhood gardens.
Female Wood Duck
Wood ducks are usually a lot shyer at this point in the season. The reserve where I took this has become more popular in the last couple of years so the animals are more used to people. Probably not a good thing for them, but it does work out for the photographer.
Spring Line up
It’s been a very cold few days so when it warmed up enough to take a walk, it was nice to see that the flowers are right on schedule.
Both Sides Now – Two Photographs
Though more subtle than male Red-winged blackbirds, the females have fine markings.
Grackle Antics
Grackles are animated, active and very intense. I don’t know what caught the bird’s attention but it was completed absorbed by whatever it was.
Over the Fence
It’s nice to see what’s coming up in the neighbourhood gardens. I liked the metal trellis as well.
Little Buddies
We saw a number of goslings on a recent walk. I tend to alternate the subjects I post each day but sometimes I don’t 😊
Nap Time
After a busy morning, this gosling looked about ready for a rest.
In the Neighbourhood – 2
These lilies of the valley are among the flowers in the garden of the old house I featured on my blog yesterday.
Spring Exuberance
We’ve been waiting a long while for a show like this.
Regal Robin
A bit haughty too.
Spring Mallard
Always a welcome sight.
Leopard Frog
On a recent walk we heard a few frogs calling out but couldn’t see any. Finally one swam into view, this handsome leopard frog.
Tulip Time – 2
The weather has been up and down lately. Today’s high was 11C, last Friday it was in the high 20Cs. The tulips don’t seem to mind though.
Lesser Scaups
We saw a large group of scaups at the very beginning of May. They were swimming in a small man made lake in a park close to the river. As the river was still high I guess they preferred the more shallow water. We only saw them that once and at quite a distance but I was happy with the sighting.
Robin
We’ve seen a lot of robins this spring. What posers they are!
Grackle in the Grass
These birds look intense or angry and rather funny at the same time. I often see grackles by the water, so I’m surprised to see so many this year in city gardens.
A Quiet Place
That’s the feeling I got while walking past this garden.
Cat in the Window
Cats like to perch on window sills. I looked up from the tulips I was photographing and took this shot.
What’s for Dinner?
I watched as the starling ran across the lawn, stopping several times to dig in the earth. Finally, it posed with its catch 😏.
Maple Glow
Sometimes if you’re lucky you can catch the light just right.
Morning Mallard
One of the regulars I see on my walks.
Mourning Dove
I almost walked right past the mourning dove until someone pointed it out; it blended in so well with its surroundings. I usually see them on rooftops or in trees so this one was a surprise.
Tulip Time
As well as wild violets, there’s no season quite like spring 😊.
Robins
There are lot of robins around right now. I caught one mid walk and the other mid stare.
Wood Duck
It had been a great day at the lake but all of a sudden it got even better 😊
Share the Path
On a recent walk, the woods were alive again with the sounds and sights of spring. A familiar rusting in the leaves alerted me to nearby squirrels. This one approached and stood there staring, hoping for a snack I guess.
Female Red-winged Blackbird
We saw several male Red-winged Blackbirds but she was the only female I spotted. She’ll have her pick of the fellas 😊
Earlier Bloomer
Among the first flowering plants we see in the spring are forsythia. Always a welcome sight.
Stand on Guard
We’re all feeling wary these days.
Seen on a Walk
Another spring first, grackles! This imposing bird had just visited a feeder and was strutting off with its prize.
Bee First (Two Photographs)
I stopped to photograph these flowers and saw a bit of movement. Sure enough, it was my first sighting this year of a bee. Things are looking up 😊 .
Spring Downy
I took this photo two weeks ago before the trees had really begun to bud. This male downy woodpecker stood out nicely against the bare tree.
Spring Goose
I saw this goose on a small patch of grass close to the river. The current was strong and the water was high given the recent ice melt. We only saw a few geese on the water; this one was looking for something to eat but I can’t imagine the grass holds much nutrition yet.
Finally…
The best kind of snow drops are the kind pushing through the warming earth 😊
In the Market
I watched as the house sparrow perched on the brick and window sills of this old house. I looked to see whether it had a nesting hole somewhere in the brick, as sparrows often build their nests in buildings, but saw nothing. It’s a busy time for them,
Canada Goose
Geese are returning after a long winter. I took this before today’s snow 😏
Young Robin
Late last spring, I saw this young robin perched on a park bench. I didn’t see any adult birds around, so I guessed he was on his own. He’ll be all grown up now.
Looking On
I believe this is a leucistic Canada Goose, it lacked the usual pigmentation of the other nearby geese but otherwise resembled them. I hope he joined the group after a while, he looked a bit lonely 😏.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 