This lake has a fair number of resident turtles. As I scanned the water for birds, I noticed a painted turtle enjoying a swim. Now it and its mates are buried deep in the mud, hibernating until spring.
Tag Archives: Photography
EARLY MORNING MUSKRAT
Muskrats swim quickly and like to dive, particularly when they have an audience. I saw this one on an early April morning enjoying a solitary swim.
PERFECT PAD (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This lake has a lot of lily pads which these frogs call home. They blend in so well that often only a splash or movement alerts you to their whereabouts. The photo below gives you a good idea of their environment and how well they blend in.
CHICKADEE
I didn’t follow the rules for my composition. I don’t think the photo would have worked as well if I had.
BARRED OWL
The barred owl or hoot owl is very common in Ontario though I’ve only seen one twice. Like most owls they are nocturnal but both my sightings were during the day. This owl was just slightly off the main path, I happened to look up and there he was.
A WALK IN THE PARK
Someone had stamped down the path somewhat but we still got plenty of exercise making our way along. No need for a gym membership with conditions like these 😏.
MONDAY MORNING MALLARD
I caught this duck as she stood on some rocks close to shore. She gave me a curious look which made for a nice photograph.
FALL FIND
Fall is a good time to photograph mushrooms especially if there’s been a lot of rain. As I was walking, I noticed some bracket fungus running along this fallen tree. It almost looked like a border of lace.
NORTHERN SHOVELER
Happy New Year!
DECEMBER CARDINAL
A little cheer on a cold December day.
GOOSE ON THE LOOSE
Canada Geese have long since left for warmer parts. While we’re strongly encouraged not to travel this winter, these snowbirds are exempt.
MALLARD ON ICE
Best wishes for the Holidays!
CHICKADEE, BALANCING ACT
The chickadee looks like it’s trying to keep its balance on the branch. I thought the leaves framed him nicely too.
BLUE(T)S AND GREENS OF SUMMER
The bluet damselfly is a common visitor in early summer, often seen near bodies of water. Like many birds and insects, when they become accustomed to your presence they’ll often linger for a portrait.
CHIPMUNK
Now that the weather has turned cold, I hope this chipmunk remembers where he has hidden the food he was busy collecting. It’s going to be a long winter.
MALLARD SWIM
A female mallard enjoying a swim on the lake. On a sunny day in October the water takes on the wonderful colours of the sky and trees. These remaining days of fall are there to be enjoyed as they’ll be gone before too long.
QUIET PATH
The day and path stretched before me as I set off that morning. The woods were quiet. No wind or squirrels rustling the leaves, no people either. A quiet moment in late October 2019.
RACCOON
On passing a lean-to in the reserve, I saw this raccoon ambling about. I think he had found something to eat on the floor and just gave me a passing glance as I walked by.
HARBOUR VIEW (2)
Another early morning on the Maine coast. Plenty of time to photograph the harbour before the sun burns off the fog.
NORTHERN CARDINAL
I took this photo in late July, so I think the cardinal had just begun to molt. Molting begins after mating season and before the cold weather sets in. They can look pretty rough over several weeks but this bird still looked pretty spiffy.
FAST FRIES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This casse-croûte (snack bar in English) promises you your fries quick! We discovered this place on a walk through a small Quebec town.
ALL TUCKED IN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
From this angle I thought the buildings looked like they were nestled by the greenery surrounding them. I liked the effect of the Antique Preset in Tonality CK in the second photograph.
HARBOUR VIEW
A typical early morning scene on the Maine coast. We spent many summer holidays driving through this beautiful state. I hope to return again when things get back to normal.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE
There are nine species of Orioles in North America; both the Baltimore Oriole and Orchard Oriole can be found here in the east but I’ve yet to see an Orchard Oriole. This colourful bird usually shows up in May and stays the summer.
BEE WATCHING
I like to watch bees as they work their way among the flowers. This one had just gotten started as it hadn’t pick up much pollen yet. I took this photo with a long lens, you can get quite near to the insects without disturbing them or getting too close for your own comfort.
ON A WALK (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
A scene from a warm summer day. No better way to spend a sunny afternoon than camera in hand surrounded by sights like this.
NORTHERN CARDINAL
I took several several photos of the cardinal on the ground and when it flew into the trees. In late summer they seem more relaxed around people; their young have left the nest and they’re less wary. Nice for me.
DOWNY WOODPECKER
Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest of the woodpeckers and quite numerous. We enjoy them year round. They don’t cache food but survive the winter by excavating the trees for overwintering insects. They are also a frequent visitor to bird feeders.
MALLARD PAIR
The slight tilt of her head, makes me think the female mallard has heard it all before 😏. These ducks can be quite vocal, I wish I spoke duck!
EASTERN PHOEBE
This was the only Phoebe I saw this year and I was at a fair distance from it, so I wasn’t sure I would get it. A handsome little bird, it’s a member of the flycatcher family.
FEMALE WOOD DUCK
I took this in late October 2019. Except for a quick drive to the lake this summer, I haven’t returned. I did see wood ducks on that visit though. Despite the year we’ve had the birds arrived as usual and will migrate back in the spring. This constant is encouraging. With some luck the coming year will have us all headed in the right direction.
HOLD ON
The goldfinch held on tight as the wind buffeted him about. I thought he’d fly off to a more sheltered spot but he held his ground. Lucky me.
THREE IN A ROW (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I liked the look of this Halloween decoration, someone got very creative with their pumpkins this year.
LATE FALL – 3 (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
A few more flowers taken recently and looking pretty seasonal. With the temperature continuing to drop, scenes such as these are fast disappearing. Although a few hardy flowers are still hanging on.
CHICKADEE
I usually see chickadees out in the open flitting from branch to branch. I caught this bird in a quiet moment well off the path in challenging light. I liked the photo but hesitated before posting it because of the flare at the bottom of the image. Still worth featuring though.
On another note, a few of you let me know that you were unable to see the image that accompanied my last post. Mike Bizeau of naturehasnoboss.com had the same problem and suggested I set my image as a featured image. Like Mike, this has altered the appearance of my website (a change I don’t like) but until this glitch has been fixed I will continue to post in this way and hope you will all see my images.
BEECAUSE
As the first light snow of the season falls outside, what better time to revisit a scene like this. I can almost feel the sun on my face and hear the bees buzzing 😏.
TWO GRASSHOPPERS
I haven’t taken too many grasshoppers. If you manage to scare one up when walking along and see where it lands, you have a chance at a photo. That’s why this shot was particularly lucky. I came across these two when focusing on something else in the grass and saw them frozen on the stalk.
LATE FALL – 2 (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
The first flower is wearing its Halloween colours, The second still has a petal or two but my eye was attracted by its intricate centre. You might have to look a little longer for flower subjects at this point in the fall but they’re out there.
CHIPMUNK (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
More chipmunk photographs from earlier this summer. With the colder weather setting in I hope this chipmunk has a good cache of nuts set aside. Judging by those cheeks I think he must have 😊.
OCTOBER WOOD DUCKS
I took this photo last October. I haven’t been back to this reserve since then but imagine the wood ducks are about to head south once again. Their travel has not been affected this year. Lucky ducks 😏.
