We saw few ladybugs this year, few insects in general. But I was lucky to catch this one as it made its way along.
Tag Archives: Nikon Canada
Winter Blue
We’re lucky to see Blue Jays in winter. They’re clever birds and store large quantities of food in hidden caches as well as show up at bird feeders during the colder months.
Close Call
Though we live in the city, there’s a nature reserve close by that we go to frequently. Good years attract a lot of ducks and geese and several herons. The pond supports turtles and birds. This young wood duck was swimming quite close to where we had just seen a snapping turtle go by. Fortunately she didn’t linger long.
Make a Big Splash
To a bright year ahead. Happy New Year!
Park Time
Canada Geese seem to enjoy this park as much as people do. There’s a lot of grassy lawn, shade trees and the river is close by. Just add a bit of sun, perfect!
Be Prepared
Groundhogs hibernate here during the winter months, in specialized burrows below the frost line. This individual was fattening up for a long “sleep”.
Open Air Gallery
This pathway along the Ottawa River is well known for its balanced rock sculptures and birds. It always makes for a pleasant walk in the warmer months.
Holiday Greetings
Wishing you all the best for the Holidays!
Tilt
December 21 is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, after which we begin to gain more daylight, slowly moving towards scenes like this.
All in the Detail
I enjoy these architectural details. This natural motif is one of a collection that is featured at the top of the dormer windows of the Confederation Building, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Summer Visitor
I stopped by the lake where I took this photo last summer. I had hoped to see some wildlife to photograph but there was nothing about. Looking through my files when I got home, I came across this cormorant swimming through some pretty reflections and felt a bit better about this whole winter thing 😏
Spreading its Wings
It’s nice to revisit spring when things are anything but outside. I caught this very young gosling spreading its wings one day last May.
Neighbourhood Walk
This neighbourhood has a lot of old brick houses which I enjoy photographing. Their windows are often covered in this translucent fabric that lets light in and keeps curious eyes out. I liked the street name too, it reminded me of that old T.V. soap opera.
Too Long Gone
Recently, I went out to the little pond I see wood ducks in season but it was frozen over and snow covered. As I took many photos of them last summer here’s one of a young duck to chase away the winter blues.
Queen Anne’s Lace
One of my favourite wildflowers.
On a personal note, things have become very busy lately. Nothing serious but I won’t have as much time to spend on WordPress. I’ll be back later in the fall but until then I’ll be popping in from time to time.
Late Summer Mallard
I took this photo in August. The mallard hadn’t quite finished molting but as he was out in the open I assume his flight feathers had grown in.
Summer’s End
These flowers aren’t fading quietly as summer draws to a close. They continue on well into September adding cheer to the cooler mornings.
Balancing Act
Birds seem to like perching on overhead wires. This starling pair got a nice view up there.
Bladder Campion
This flower was an introduced species and is considered invasive. I still like it.
Young One – 3
I’ve never seen a juvenile European Starling before and at first I wasn’t quite sure what it was. Then I saw a mature bird close by which confirmed it.
Dragon on Main Street
You never know what your’re going to come across. In this case, the “dragon” was hanging by the entrance to someone’s house.
All Grown Up
These goslings must be full grown now, getting ready to fly south for the winter.
A Look Back
The flowers no longer have the vibrant colours of early summer. I thought it would be nice to return to earlier in the season.
Nice and Direct
I like getting a bird looking in my direction. Sizing me up perhaps 😊
Wood Duck
She was swimming up to shore and I was lucky to be standing right there.
Seen on a Walk
A very large tree must have stood on this spot at one time. I liked the shadow play on the grass and the new shoot sprouting to life on the remnants of the tree.
Lesser Scaup
This duck is also known as the little bluebill for obvious reasons.
Fickle Leopard Frog
I had hoped the frog would turn around but its pose showed off its spots rather nicely.
Sparrow Walk
This little house sparrow was taking a walk on the porch like he owned the place 😊
Canada Columbine
Red Columbine goes by many names. It’s a hardy native that I always enjoy seeing earlier in the summer. I like its untamed appearance.
Grackle
I took this earlier in the summer, I haven’t seen any grackles in a while, though it’s a bit early for their fall migration.
Last Daisy
While looking for a photo to post, I came across this daisy that I took earlier in the summer. I had forgotten that I haven’t seen any in a good month. Like summer, their season is too short.
Neighbourhood Walk
Walking through an older part of town I came across this house on a quiet street. It looked comfortable and lived in.
Standout
This poppy appeared to be holding court among all the green.
Good Morning, Goose
I love catching geese this this, straight on and looking a bit goofy 😊
Wood Duck
We’ve enjoyed seeing a fair number of Wood Ducks this year. I featured this young female late last month, her pose is different here.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are having a nice long run this summer.
Twist and Turn
I took the photo between the rails of a small bridge. The heron was positioned so close by , I had to twist a bit to get the shot. It had a few wispy feathers on the top of its head but other than that it looked like a mature bird.
Bee Acrobatics
I’ve seen far fewer insects this year but I’ve been happy to see a lot of bees. I wonder if our cold spring might have had an effect on the others.
Young One – 2
It’s that time in the season when young birds are maturing and looking more like adult birds. This wood duck is almost there but not quite. It still has some time to enjoy its youth. 😊
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 