Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest woodpeckers in North America. We’re fortunate that they remain year round, On a grey winter day, seeing this lively colourful bird always brightens things up.

I took this photograph one December day when the light was just right. The male’s head was the emerald green you see here, I didn’t enhance the colour.

Eastern Phoebes migrate south between September and November, so this is probably the last one I’ll see until Spring. We enjoy them for only a short period so every sighting is a pleasure.

We’re fortunate to see black-capped chickadees all year round. I’m always amazed at how a bird so tiny can survive our winters!

Another wigeon photo I took one November day. It looked like he was enjoying his greens 😏.

We’ve had few opportunities to see or photograph great egrets in the last year and a half. Our favourite reserve has been jam-packed since Covid struck and we haven’t been back. We parked by the Ottawa River recently hoping to see one of these beautiful birds and luck was with us.

Goldfinches breed later in the summer than a lot of other birds. I watched as the goldfinch gathered nesting material and flew back and forth to her nest deep in the trees.

Nothing common about this Common or European Starling. Their plumage is extremely colourful and unlike many birds in the neighbourhood, they never shy away from my camera.

Despite that long neck, when a Great Blue Heron stands motionless it can blend in easily to its surroundings. They imitate statues quite well.

No matter the season, chickadees are always around; near a feeder or seen in the woods. Although they’re common it’s hard to think of these little birds in that way.

One of the most attractive ducks that migrate through each year. I chose not to crop in further as the reflections in the water were also vying for attention.

A wood duck admiring its reflection.

These gulls have presence and this one was no exception. He looked around like he owned this patch of grass.

Not sure what’s going on here, not sure the mallard on the left knows either. Just another afternoon at the lake. 😏

This female cardinal gave me a strange look. I almost felt like I was trespassing as I passed by.

I usually see pileated woodpeckers high up in the trees, often hearing them before I see them. It’s easier to spot them in winter when there are no leaves to block the view.

With their tucked in necks, these herons often look like they’re skulking around. I took this photo in early spring so it was easier to get a clear shot. This becomes tricky later in the season with all the greenery.

Some mallards remain here year round. They can find enough to eat if the water along the shore remains free of ice and if people feed them. Canada Geese, on the other hand, fly south in late fall. Smart birds!

The bright head of the house finch caught my eye, I didn’t see the less colourful female when I took the picture. Most finches I’ve seen are more rosy coloured. This one must have found a good crop of red berries as diet can effect their colouring.

Ring-billed gulls are often seen in parking lots and city parks, so it was nice to see this bird on the water. A much more fitting location for a seagull.

I was surprised to see a peregrine falcon as I passed along the shore. Peregrines swoop down on their prey from the air so it wasn’t hunting, probably just cooling off in the lake. Except for the falcon no other bird or squirrel was in sight.

Happy New Year!

Canada Geese have long since left for warmer parts. While we’re strongly encouraged not to travel this winter, these snowbirds are exempt.

Best wishes for the Holidays!

The chickadee looks like it’s trying to keep its balance on the branch. I thought the leaves framed him nicely too.

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.

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 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.