There is something special to me about walking through fields like these in summer. The colours and smells and sounds never, ever disappoint. So much to see and photograph.
Tag Archives: Nikon Canada
HOUSE FINCH
House Finches are native to western North America but were introduced in the east. Their colour, particularly the red plumage of the male varies according to diet. They’re attractive little birds, although quite common I rarely seem them.
SKIMMER DRAGONFLY
Another surefire sign of summer is the arrival of dragonflies. I saw this skimmer in early August. Each variety puts in an appearance throughout the summer. I’ve even seen a few still flying around late in the season if the weather remains warm.
FEMALE WOOD DUCK
This wood duck was taken last fall, before they all flew south for the winter. I’ve noticed that unlike most ducks that tend to stick together, the female wood duck is often on her own above the fray.
LADYBUGS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Ladybugs have tremendous balance and seem to do most things on the run 😏. Occasionally though they slow down enough to take a few photos.
HAIRY WOODPECKER
The hairy woodpecker is larger than the downy with a longer bill but their colouring is very similar. This fellow was working his way up and down the tree trunk, in and out of sight. I caught him as he came back into view.
CLOSE FORMATION
Mallard Mom and her young ducks, still juveniles. Not sure if they’re male or female at this stage. The adult keeps a bit of a distance but the juveniles seem more comfortable with little space between themselves.
A TOUCH OF LACE
Queen Anne’s Lace is a flower I enjoy seeing and photographing. It grows alongside other wild flowers and grasses which makes for interesting compositions and it’s such a fine looking flower all on its own.
TRILLIUMS (THREE PHOTOGRAPHS)
Three trilliums for this cold day in May. Last weekend the weather was warm and sunny, today we’re having snow showers. Despite the weather, the flowers know it’s there time. I took these photos in May two years ago. I imagine they’re about ready to bloom this year too.
TULIP TIME (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I took these photos last May at our city’s annual tulip festival. The festival was cancelled this year due to the pandemic but as I go most years, I have many photos in reserve. When we drove by the site the other day, some flowers had begun to open (the bulbs are planted every fall). It’s been a cool spring so the flowers are a bit late to bloom.
LOOKOUT
The heron was across the lake from me, having a look around. It remained in place for longer than I did. These birds can remain motionless for long periods of time particularly when stalking their prey. They are singleminded and ignore everything else around them.
THE EYES HAVE IT
The light fell nicely on the bee, highlighting its face. I took the photo in September, the flowers were fading but there was still plenty of nectar and pollen to go around.
WOOD DUCKS
I took this photograph last May. The wood ducks had arrived a few weeks earlier and were sporting their fine breeding colours. I imagine they are back at the lake this year. I do hope we get to enjoy them again at one point this summer.
BLUE JAY
Blue Jays are common birds here but we only see them occasionally in the woods. This one was eating something when I took the photo. Males and females are similar in size and plumage, not sure what I have here.
PAINTED LADIES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We saw many Painted Ladies last summer and I was fortunate to take a lot of photographs. The butterflies weren’t flighty but if one flew off there were many more to replace it. More photos to come.
PAINTED TURTLE
Painted Turtles blend in so well, that what appears to be vegetation swaying in the wind is often a turtle swimming silently through the water. I was in a good spot to see this one surface.
FROG THURSDAY – 2
Another frog, this one near the shore of a nearby lake. This spot attracts a lot of small frogs each summer. They blend in so well that I usually stop a while, and listen for a splash or just get lucky and spot one.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I haven’t seen too many Baltimore Orioles so it was a pleasure to photograph this bird, feeding on the nectar of these flowers. They are among the many migrants to our area each spring.
NORTHERN CARDINALS (THREE PHOTOGRAPHS)
A bit of cheer brought to you by this handsome pair. This bridge is a nice place to stop and look around to see where the locals are. Cardinals are usually pretty skittish but these two weren’t. Lucky for me.
FROG THURSDAY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
There’s a little pond in a wildlife garden we go to that has several resident leopard frogs. I always check the pond when we first get there and again when we leave. Most times the frogs hardly budge, so I can always take a few more photos.
GETTING ALONG
The log was a popular spot for both turtles and ducks that day, crowded but room for everyone. I love scenes like these. A good lesson for us all!
METALLIC BEES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I took these photos early last fall. It was a good year for these brilliantly coloured bees. The first was taken in the woods and the second in a neighbourhood garden, both with my 300 mm lens, which I often use for close ups like these. It keeps me at a comfortable distance from stinging insects although these bees are usually too busy feeding to pay me any attention.
DAPPER DUCK
If you follow my blog you’ll know that I’m pretty partial to mallards. I never get tired of photographing them. Unlike their more flashy cousins, many are here year round, always ready for a close up or group photo. Good looking ducks full of personality.
SPRING BEE
I took this photo early last Spring. The bee was slowly warming up on the lily; the air is still quite cool in the early morning and all insects need a little heat to keep flying.
FARM SCENE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Another scene from the countryside last summer. I love taking these walks, no hustle or bustle, just the buzz of insects and the sweet meadow smell with every step.
GREAT BLUE HERONS (THREE PHOTOGRAPHS)
The Great Blue Heron in the first photo was taken at our local reserve. I saw the second bird at a city park close to the river. The heron at the reserve was looking for lunch, while the second heron had already found his; the unlucky frog in his beak.
CHICKADEE ON SUMAC
A chickadee from last spring. Usually at this point, I’m at the reserve looking out for early spring migrants. This year, it’s different for everyone. So for the time being I’ll be posting photos I took earlier last year.
GOLDFINCH
It was nice to see this goldfinch in plain view, it was in no hurry at all. They are often just flashes of colour, flying away as I approach. Not that day though.
HOODED MERGANSER
We don’t see many hooded mergansers. When we do, they’re usually too far away to get a decent photo. This female was closer to shore than usual, she was on her own, no other ducks in sight. When she saw me, she swam away but I did manage to get this parting shot.
MALLARD MANOEUVRE
The lake has a lot of fallen trees that form ledges in the water. The mallard found a footing to dry off after a swim. It was late fall, and the water reflected the leaden sky. The ducks added the colour that day.
MONARCHS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Last year was a terrific one for butterflies; monarchs and painted ladies seemed to be everywhere. Monarchs were a particular pleasure as we hadn’t seen too many in recent years. I took these in September, shortly they would begin their migration to central Mexico.
A FINE RED
I’ve photographed many red squirrels but I’ve never seen one with such striking highlights before. Perhaps it was the light and shadow that day. A fine little guy, enjoying his snack.
BLACKBIRD CHEER
A female red-winged blackbird taken last spring. A bit of cheer and a reminder that as dire as things might be right now, things will turn around and when they do, the trails and reserves will welcome us back.
WILD CHILD OR CITY BRED (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The first photo was taken at our favourite reserve. We see a few irises along the water’s edge every June. The second photo was taken in a neighbourhood garden. The cultivated irises are beautiful but I prefer the more subtle colour of the wild flower. And though it looks delicate, it really can’t be as it thrives in this natural setting.
TULIP TUESDAY
I imagine that somewhere, people are enjoying the sight of tulips and daffodils. Ours make an appearance mid-Spring. I took this photo at Ottawa’s Annual Tulip Festival. I never miss it!
OFF COURSE
Far from any green space, we stopped to photograph this downy woodpecker on a busy street. The management of the office tower had just planted trees outside and the bird decided to investigate. Office workers rushed by and no one else seemed to notice the downy at work.
LEOPARD FROG
Frogs blend into their surroundings so well that unless you see them move or spot one in the open, they are difficult to find. I think the leopard frog is a very good looking frog, and this one sparkled. 😊
WATCHFUL DUCK
This mallard was standing on a log, staring in my direction as I walked along a bridge that crossed a pond. I couldn’t back up and I was using a 300mm lens so I just took the shot. I was glad I did, it was one of my last duck photos of the year.
WOOD DUCK DUCKLING
This little wood duck has appeared on my blog before, this photo caught it slightly differently. It’s still a while before the adults return and form pairs and several more months before we see sights like this again.
MALLARD ON THE MOVE
You’re never alone in the woods. There’s a well trodden path in the reserve that sees a lot of foot traffic, both human and duck. Looking around we often see a mallard following us (or maybe just enjoying a walk too 😊).
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 