Country …
Snowy Owl, afternoon sun
I don’t think there is much more pleasant than a nap in the morning sun after a long cold winter.
Queen for a kilometre
On a beautiful winter day, if you look carefully enough, you might see these majestic owls about 1 km apart. Stoically guarding their hunting territory.
Common Yellowthroat
These little birds move so quickly through the underbrush that they are very difficult to photograph. This pair were collecting insects and spiders to feed young which we could hear but not see. They must have been ferocious eaters because the parents wasted no time catching meals.
Can you find the warbler?
Yes… it’s in this photo as well!
Black-throated Blue Warbler
I was delighted to find this bird. Just when I was thinking “wouldn’t it be cool to find a Black Throated Blue” there is was right in front of me. Click, click, click, click. A very approachable bird once found.
A Pair of Loons and a little surprise!
Fox Kits playing in an old ruin
I drive past these playful little guys daily, it’s fun to watch them grow up. Not wanting them to become familiar with people stopping, I only paused once for a couple of photos and carried on. Best left alone even when they choose homes at the road side.
Purple Martins
This was a very successful Martin house with more than 50 in the colony, they actually opened the house at night and counted the sleeping birds, done by the Audibon Bird Society volunteers.
urple Martins
Red Winged Blackbird – female
These are generally quick to fly, even tho we see many, it can be hard to get a clean shot of one. This female was distracted gather nesting material and I was able to sneak in a few shots.
Boat-tailed Grackles
This fellow was determined to have his photo taken, bird #151 perched right in front of the camera, the zoomed out photo shows how adamant he was! Like a Grackle we see at home, however this fellow was in Florida and is a super sized huge Grackle.
Blue Heron Rookery
While in Florida I was lucky enough to come across a Heron Rookery, these young herons look like they are almost at the fledgling age. They are always starving hungry and very demanding of the parents when they bring back a meal which then needs to be coughed up.
Ross’s Goose
Small white goose with black primary feathers and stubby red based bill. Often in company with other geese. Our smallest goose found in Ontario, this one was at the Minesing Wetlands.
Bald Eagle coming in for a landing
Mink, a playful little fellow!
I was looking for Snowy Owls and found this little fellow instead, actually I have seen 4 this week on different country roads, all out of range until today. I had no idea that Mink swim for fish and are very good divers, they are more like Otters than I thought. Then I was sad to think anyone would cage such a playful animal on fur farms that obviously has tons of energy and intelligence. Happy to get to know a bit more about Mink.
Indigo Bunting singing up a storm
Ever drive down the road with the window rolled down and hear a different bird chirping away? This bright blue fellow was singing up a storm, so of course I stopped and took a photo!
Yellow Lady’s-slipper
Small Yellow Lady’s Slipper has red petals behind the flower, Large Yellow Lady’s Slipper has green petals, can you see the difference? I think these are both red hmmmm….
Wet lands, shaded, mossy rich bogs, and you will find these late June along the sides of the trails. Always spectacular and a nice find.
American Crow – The Scavenger
Snowies are back!
Had a great time looking for Snowy Owls, they are back from the far north! I personally saw 9 birds south of Stayner, and on the way home an additional 3 birds, for a total of 12, my personal record!
Fall colours
The falls colours are spectacular this fall, tried something a little different today … I think they would look great as canvas fine art images!
Eugenia Creek
