September 15th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (gravel road) | WEATHER: Sunny |
When I have limited time on any particular morning I take a short drive to one of my local gravel roads, and sometimes I see a few birds. This morning was one of those mornings, with several songbird sightings. Nothing too unusual, but I was still very happy with the outcome images.
On top of some birds I had 3 individual Racoons cross that road, at 3 different times over the course of about 45 minutes.
On top of some birds I had 3 individual Racoons cross that road, at 3 different times over the course of about 45 minutes.
September 12th - 14th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries back roads | WEATHER: Pure sun, and hot later in the day |
 Turkey Vulture | Birding around my local area has been a little slow, but still a few butterflies around, but they are difficult to get in a static position, but the Monarch (which was one of several I spotted in one area), gave me a shot or three !!. I had been hoping for a few Warbler shots, but even though I saw 3 or 4 , I never once pointed a camera !! Maybe my luck will change in the coming days. |
September 11th 2024
| LOCATION: Cambridge & Burlington | WEATHER: Sunny |
 Red-eyed Vireo | Another, weather wise, good looking day, so initially headed to my local spot near Cambridge, but after an hour of listening etc, nothing showed up. Ended up cutting my losses and headed back to Thornapple Loop lust outside Burlington to see if that would be any better. Thornapple was a also a bit quiet, other that a short period where several birds passed through - seems to be the way things are going this fall, However you take what you can get, when you can get it. High on my list of targets was the Hermit Thrush, and luck was with me when I spotted one foraging along the edge of a wood lot. After Thornapple I headed back to Valley Inn, which was also a little quieter than yesterday, so gave up and headed home. |
September 10th 2024
| LOCATION: Burlington (Thornapple & Valley Inn) | WEATHER: Sunny, cool start then hot later |
Along with a good birding friend, we visited one of my favorite spots in this part of the province for migrating songbirds, in the Fall. It started off quite active with a few Bay-breasted Warblers, a Northern Parula, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a couple of Red-eyed Vireos passing through, but after that initial bit of activity it went quiet. On the plus side when we got back to our vehicles my friend Cerian found a Praying Mantis, so that was a big plus. Thanks Cerian .. appreciated!!
Next, we went to Valley Inn where there were lots of activity with shorebirds
Next, we went to Valley Inn where there were lots of activity with shorebirds
**As always .. click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title**
September 8th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (gravel rd) | WEATHER: Sun and cloud but chilly (8C) |
Quite an eventful morning when a small flock of mixed species Warblers passed by my staked out location along one of the gravel roads near my house. There were at least 6 species, of which 5 I managed some acceptable shots. The only one I could not get a clean photo of, was a Northern Parula.
Tip of the Day: How to tell the difference between fall coloured Bay-breasted Warblers and a Blackpoll Warblers. The top two upper images show both species. The one on the left is a Bay-breasted and the one on the right is a Blackpoll. The best way to tell the difference between these two almost identical birds, is by the feet colouring - the Blackpoll has yellow feet and with the Bay-breasted, the feet are black
September 6th & 7th 2024
| LOCATION: D1:North Dumfries (gravel) and D2:FWR Dickson | WEATHER: Sun and cloud, and a bit cooler |
Both Days 1 & 2 have been a little sluggish when it came to Warblers and Vireos, but I did find my first of season Swainson's Thrush. On Day2 I headed to the FWR Dickson trail, where I had heard there was a Lincolns Sparrow hanging out, but on my visit it eluded me, and based on conversations with other birders there, it eluded them too. Oh well that's the nature of the beast as it were !! I did see one of the Tufted Titmouses that have been around all summer, and hopefully they will. like last winter, hang around this winter also.
**As always .. click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title**
September 3rd - 5th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries back roads | WEATHER: Cool starts, but warmed up .. sunny |
| Back to my usual spots hoping for some more unusual songbirds passing through my area, but it may be a little early yet, as they all seem to be the more common species. However I am still very pleased with the ones I managed to photograph. One thing I have noticed, as I am sure it's the same every year, is that was very little calling, which I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise, as they are not on territory, so nothing to sing about :) While out I also kept my eyes open for butterflies and other interesting insects. The quantity of butterflies around has dropped significantly over the last week, as the season progresses and temperatures, especially in the early morning, become cooler. |  Nashville Warbler |
September 2nd 2024
| LOCATION: Guelph Line area | WEATHER: Unseasonably a tad cold (12C), and windy |
Along with a great birding friend, Helen, we headed to the Guelph Line area, which I have found in the past to be a decent location to find and photograph some migrating songbirds, Today, unfortunately, was a tad windy and colder than we would have expected, so consequently, the migrants were staying up really high making it all but impossible to get any shots. Saw several species but no shots!!
What we did find (or should I say more accurately, what Helen found) were lots of Caterpillars, so the day ended up being really good.
What we did find (or should I say more accurately, what Helen found) were lots of Caterpillars, so the day ended up being really good.
Tip of the Day: At this time of year some quite exotic caterpillars can be found reasonably easy - what I do is when walking along a trail or along the roadside, is look for leaves on trees and bushes, that have segments missing where they have been eaten by a caterpillar. Usually I find them on a situation like this on the underside of the leaf,
**As always .. click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title**
