I had never seen a mature lady alongside its junior before. The larvae, or instar will moult several times before it is ready to transform to its adult stage. I saw these insects on some bushes on a busy downtown street. A lot going on on this little patch of real estate.
I took several photos of this Great Dane and featured another one in January. I think the dog was becoming a bit inpatient as it shifted position and was staring directly into the store window, willing its owner to return.
Raccoons are becoming more common in cities as their habitat shrinks and with it their sources of food. I saw this raccoon at a reserve one day. I watched as it moved silently through the water looking for something to eat. It kept an eye on me but carried on with its search.
I chose not to crop the photo. You can just see the sparrow but I thought this was really a landscape photograph.
Great Blue Herons migrate alone or in numbers and return here in early April. I saw this solitary heron on the water’s edge. With the water open it would find plenty to eat while it waited for its mates to arrive.
European Skipper Butterflies are seen in large numbers when the warm weather arrives. This skipper was resting and I was fortunate to see it in this pose.
The painted turtle is the most common turtle at our local reserve although they share the waterways with snapping turtles and the rarer blanding’s turtle. I’ll be looking for all three when the weather warms up.
Red squirrels are active all year round. When it gets very cold they retreat to dens in tree trunks but even so you often see them about if only briefly. They also depend on food that they have cached during the fall; frozen berries and buds.
As the calendar slowly moves towards spring, scenes like this are getting closer.
This dachshund looked patient and a bit wistful as it waited for its owner to return.
Chickadees are another bird I feature quite frequently. We are fortunate to have their lively presence year round in our woods and backyards.
An iconic Canadian scene (taken in early April as the lake began to thaw) a far cry from the siege-like images right now in Ottawa.
Regular readers will know that mallards are favourites of mine. Looking at this bunch leaves little doubt why 😊.
With winter slowly moving along, I thought a warm weather scene was in order. I liked the untamed look of the sunflowers so I let them fill the frame and didn’t crop the shot.
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America. They are non migratory; their main food source are the larvae and insects that live in the bark of trees. I love to see these striking birds in winter’s muted landscape.
This is a young snapping turtle, mature snapping turtles are much larger and even less good looking 😏. I was standing on a viewing platform and just happened to glance down when the turtle swam silently by.
A summer scene is the perfect antidote to the weather outside.
It was difficult to say which was more eye catching, the wood duck or the fall reflections. I was just happy to be there that day.
I took this photo one year at the very end of March. Although the river was thawing the goose must have regretted its early return.
The dog’s owner had run into a store and left his Great Dane in the car. The huge dog in the tiny car drew a lot of attention and I had to wonder how the owner managed to drive with him on board.
The rabbit doesn’t have the best table manners but at least its eating healthy 😏
The water was cold when this mallard took a swim. That, or just a bit of natural exuberance. 😊
Very similar in appearance to the Downy Woodpecker, the Hairy is distinguished by its larger size and bill length. Have to admire that fancy footwork too. 😊
Black-capped chickadees, all season favourites.
I took this photo in late fall as the water was just beginning to freeze. Mallards tolerate the cold and quite a few remain in this location all year. We’re under an extreme cold warning tonight and while we add on the layers, I can’t helping wondering how the ducks will manage.
It’ll be a while before we see damselflies so what better time to enjoy a glimpse of summer than when it’s -15C outside!
Eastern Phoebes are elegant little birds. This one looked a bit ruffled. Maybe it was due to the early hour or it was just moulting.
Winter doesn’t seem as long and bleak when there are Cardinals in the woods.
Late in the season some wildlife seem less skittish around people. Either they’ve gotten used to our presence or just hoping to be fed.
Happy New Year!
I took this photo in June a few years ago. The black-crowned night heron was in fine breeding plumage but it looked like he hadn’t quite finished grooming.
I took this photo in late September when the Cardinal hadn’t finished moulting. He’ll need those head feathers now given the cold temperatures!
Happy Holidays!
There’s plenty to eat but I’m not sure if this squirrel is willing to share. 😏
The cat in the window struck a regal pose, something they do so well. There are a lot of indoor cats in this downtown neighourhood. When the weather gets milder I’ll have to photograph more of them.
Chickadees are great little aerialists and quick. Always nice when one slows down long enough to take its picture.
You’d think a duck’s feet would freeze standing on an icy pond. Unlike mammals, they regulate their bodies differently so that standing on an icy surface is almost like a walk in the park 😏
I like hover flies, pretty cute for an insect; and always a challenge to photograph given their size.
The goldfinch landed on the thistle just as I was winding up my walk. Before long it began to feed on the plants’ seeds. I took a lot of photos as the bird didn’t seem to mind my being there. More to come…
This single poppy stood out among the other flowers in the garden so I gave it centre stage.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 