I always look out for these birds on my walks through the woods. They’re usually found along the path often flying away just as you put the camera up to your eye. These photos were taken in the spring and summer but chickadees are around all year and a little easier to photograph in the winter when they’re looking to be fed.
Like many large cities, it’s the small neighbourhoods that make the city feel like home. At street level, past the glass and steel and high-rises. One such neighbourhood is a short distance from where I live. I like the mix of residential and commercial properties, often side by side. A little gritty, a little eclectic. A pleasure to walk in and always something to photograph.
I live in Ottawa, the capitol city that is often ranked the coldest in the world. It’s hard to believe that only a few short months ago the nearby fields were covered in flowers. Here’s a sweet reminder of what’s to come.
Nothing compares with ducks for their natural enthusiasm! Ducks appear frequently on my blog and mallards most often, as they are the most common duck (and bird) in this area. We have more exotic avian visitors during the warmer months but for dependability, good looks and charm mallards are my pick.
I haven’t done much landscape photography and it’s a type of photography I’d like to work on. Of the two photographs of wood ducks in this post, I think the first might be considered landscape-like. I like to provide context in my nature shots and with such an irresistible canvas my crop was minimal. I think the second photo speaks for itself.
This part of the street has an interesting blend of old and new styles of architecture. I like the contrast in the lines, angles and materials of the two buildings. Different yet complementary, injecting some vibrancy into an otherwise ordinary city block. The young tree adds a bit more interest to the scene.
Baltimore Orioles migrate to our area in mid to late May and this bird was right on schedule. He must have found something tasty to eat as he remained in the tree as I continued to take photographs. I thought we might also see his mate as we were there for a while. We didn’t, maybe he was unattached or she was busy elsewhere.
There’s never too much of a good thing at least when it comes to wigeons. A few more photos of the wigeon pair that I featured last week. I think the reflections in the lake compete for the viewer’s attention. The changing colours turn the normally murky water into a remarkable canvas.
Queen Anne’s Lace has a long flowering season, from late spring until mid fall; beautiful anytime of year. They’re covered in snow now but will return next May in their spring green.
I set up my Fuji XT-1 to take five bracketed shots at different exposures. For processing I used Photoshop HDR Pro. It combined the shots for a nicely exposed image. I finished with a few of my usual adjustments in Photoshop.
Montreal’s Metro or subway was built for Expo ’67, The 1967 International and Universal Exposition which the city hosted marking Canada’s centenary. Over the years the system has been expanded and is a quick and efficient way to get around town. As we descended into the station a train had just pulled in and so was my interest, attracted by the lines and colours and shadows. I rather like it in black and white as well. Something different for a change.
Every year in the late fall we see a few wigeon pairs migrating through our area. It’s one of the more pleasant aspects of the changing seasons. When this pair swam apart I got several shots of each swimming through nice fall reflections. More to come.
I’ve sat on this image for quite a while, not sure whether to post it or not. I usually like to crop closer in to my subject(s) but in this case, I decided to focus on the rugged terrain and the challenging conditions these painted turtles face at our local reserve. I assume they made it safely across but I had to be somewhere that afternoon so I couldn’t wait around to find out😊.
I watched as this mallard trod carefully on a fine sheen of ice that had formed on the lake. It was late afternoon and I was taken by the light. At this time of the year no matter how grey and wet the day the golden hour truly is golden.
An attractive little bird, it landed close by and remained long enough for me to photograph it. This was taken in early spring, and it’s a migrant species. I believe it’s a phoebe, but please correct me if I’ve got it wrong.
Walking along in the Ottawa market area, a crowd was gathered around a very small convertible. As we approached we could see why. This wonderful Great Dane sat calmly in the front seat waiting for his owner to finish his shopping. The dog was riding in style on this pleasant November day. Once the snow arrives he’ll have to hit the pavement again, being way too big to fit in this tiny car.
Trilliums appear in our woods in spring and have a relatively long growing season, blooming through April and May. It’s another species that is supposed to be quite common yet I haven’t seen them that often. On this occasion they were dotted along the pathway, ours to enjoy.
This photo was meant to be a practice shot. One morning while at the reserve, I checked the back of my camera and noticed a lot of the images were out of focus. I hadn’t used my 70-200mm in a while, so I wondered if it was me or if the lens was the problem. I pointed the camera at these leaves (which were perfectly still) and pressed the shutter release. This is the result. Flighty birds taken at too low a speed caused the blurry images. Not my lens😏.
Two mallards enjoying the calm before the snow begins. When I took these photos last week we were enjoying a mild stretch, the ducks seemed to like it too. As I write this, wet snow is falling. Although most ducks will fly off soon, a hardy few persevere throughout the winter. No snowbirds (Canadians who head south for the winter) are they.
I hadn’t been to our local reserve in a while so I was particularly happy to see this Red-breasted nuthatch close to the entrance. A bit smaller than the white-breasted variety and not as numerous in our woods, this little guy was very active, flying and landing briefly in the surrounding trees. A nice start to our walk.
The warm weather is long gone in these parts but a quick look through my photo catalogues brought to light these summer delights. The colours, scents and quality of light for a few short months each year make any walk, at any time, a pleasure.
This building, The Aberdeen Pavilion, was the central hall of the Central Canada Exhibition, that took place in Ottawa, Canada every August between 1888-2010 with the exception of World War II. What began mainly as an agricultural fair expanded over the years to include a midway. The land around the Pavilion has been redeveloped in recent years and the fair no longer takes place but this beautiful building, designated a heritage site, is still enjoyed by the public and houses other events throughout the year. I took the photo on a sunny day this summer but I think it lends itself to black and white.
This back view of the wood duck made me think of the ducktail, a haircut that was popular in the 50s. You don’t necessarily have to get your subject face on to get a decent shot. I liked the duck’s puffed up chest in the second photo too, as if his “do” wasn’t enough to impress the ladies😊.
As the warm weather ends and frogs begin hibernation, I thought it would be fun to have another look at these wonderful subjects. There is a cove at the reserve that was a perfect spot to photograph a variety of frogs. After a summer windstorm, access to it was blocked by fallen trees so we had to go further afield for photo opportunities. It would be nice if the management of the reserve does a bit of clearing next spring so that we can enjoy these little creatures nearby once again.
Chickadees forage well on their own all summer long, so we don’t see as much of them until the weather gets cooler. They’ll soon become our constant companions. When I took this photograph earIy last month I was lucky that the bird sat still long enough for me to take its picture. Often they don’t!
This wood duck pair was enjoying a quiet swim around the lake. The photo was taken in May when both were in full breeding colours, no young yet for these two. Parenthood was still a few weeks away.
When I first saw the scene above I thought I was looking at a mural and not live trees. I think the natural and man made elements complement each other very well here. I liked the shapes, colour and lighting and most of all the feeling of surprise and delight the scene initially evoked.
In the second photo, the wonderful shape and colour of the railing also inspired the title of this post.
I usually see these little acrobats in the trees and only occasionally foraging on the ground. These two were approaching their meal differently. You only truly appreciate their diminutive size when spotted on the ground. Beautiful little birds that we enjoy year round in this part of the country.
I have rarely come across this variety of skipper. The orange ones are more common in my area. Any time a butterfly remains still long enough to take a photo is a good day. Spotted in early July.
They are our smallest squirrels and yet the most assertive of the lot. It’s funny to see red squirrels chase the larger greys around the park. I’m not sure if it’s because they’re territorial or they just enjoy it. Maybe it’s a bit of both. This little guy was giving me the eye, I blinked first and moved along.
On this cold grey day, summer seems like it’s been over for weeks not days. In looking through my catalogues I found these two photographs I took earlier in the year, when the whole summer stretched before us. We’ll still get some nice temperatures before the cold really sets in but on a day like today a little summer cheer is welcome.
A storefront in an older section of town captures the mood of the street. Nothing slick here just a nod to the past. The old brick facade and the reflection of the modern building provide additional interest.
I do like frogs, something I came to realize when I took up nature photography. You have to appreciate their patience and skill in the hunt, their ability to hide in plain sight, their comical expressions and those eyes. With the cooler days upon us, we haven’t seen them for a while. I imagine they’re preparing for their long winter of hibernation until next spring…
This was one of only a few Great Blue Heron sightings all this summer. A cold rainy start, followed by drought conditions might explain this. When I did come upon this regal bird I was delighted. He was just within my len’s reach and just far enough away to not care about my presence. I do hope to see one again before their fall migration south.
I enjoy photographing a lone duck, taking a break from the noisy group. This lake has many fallen trees that the ducks and geese take advantage of for just such a purpose. It was a good year for water lilies and their leaves provide a pleasing backdrop for the shot.
When I get out early enough I often catch the passing parade of people walking their pets. Usually dogs, sometimes a cat or two , and even the occasional ferret. When they’re not being walked you often see them waiting for their owners to return as is the case in these photographs. Dogs tend to look alert and baleful, while cats look rather cool and collected.
You don’t have to look very far to find examples of public art. I saw the first piece on the campus of a Montreal university. I liked its vibrance and its nod to diversity. In the second photo, the influence of my talented mate is rubbing off – in that I noticed the play of light and shadow before I even saw the ironwork on display.
We’ve seen more chipmunks than usual this summer. Two reasons for this I imagine – their food sources are plentiful and we’ve seen fewer of their natural enemies in the woods, hawks and owls. This little guy was enjoying a snack and judging from his full cheeks hadn’t finished consuming an earlier one.
When I feature more than one photo per post, they usually share a common theme. Although these are two very different subjects, I think they both evoke a feeling of quiet watchfulness. The brick wall backs onto a vacant lot, it’s been empty for years. So far developers have shown no interest, just the wildflowers.
Early in the summer when everything is in bloom, you tend to admire it all but don’t really focus on any one thing in particular (at least that’s the case for me). However, as summer winds down I look at flowers and grasses more closely enjoying them that much more.
Every couple of months the wall art changes at this construction site. Passing by the other day I was struck by this vibrant painting. It’s fun to see the locals (two and four legged) walk by. The man was intent on checking his phone, maybe the mural was no longer a novelty for him but I loved it.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 