February 28th 2023
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson .. again! | WEATHER: Cloudy, but mild (ish) |
After yesterdays snow storm I thought that there might be some decent perching bird images possible on a snowy perch here at Dickson, but sadly the branches were clear of snow mostly, but still nice to see the regulars hanging out .. especially the Tufted Titmouse and the Rusty's.
February 27th 2023
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Cloudy and chilly (-7C) |
Because of some pretty serios computer issues, again, I haven't been out much over the last week. Hopefully after buying a new computer and reinstalling software, I should be trouble free going forward (I hope).
Today I went to FWR Dickson and around the back roads in the same area, and it turned out not too bad with a couple of decent shots in the can.
Today I went to FWR Dickson and around the back roads in the same area, and it turned out not too bad with a couple of decent shots in the can.
February 18th - 20th 2023
| LOCATION: 18th - North Dumfries 20th - Burlington | WEATHER: Sunny both days and quite mild |
Again ... nothing too exciting around, but nice to see an early spring arrival ... the Red-winged Blackbird.
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
February 12th -16th 2023
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Dry, sun and cloud |
I have been having some computer issues over the last few days, so I have fallen behind with my posts. However it seems to past me now, so I think I can return to normal .. maybe :).
I spent a little time cruising the back roads around North Dumfries and also at FWR Dickson. Birds are getting harder to find that's for sure as I think many of our winter "visitors" are starting to drift north, and our spring arrivals are still in transit .. so to speak. There is a Bald Eagle pair in the area, and it looks like they are sitting on eggs, so one to keep an eye on, I think.
I spent a little time cruising the back roads around North Dumfries and also at FWR Dickson. Birds are getting harder to find that's for sure as I think many of our winter "visitors" are starting to drift north, and our spring arrivals are still in transit .. so to speak. There is a Bald Eagle pair in the area, and it looks like they are sitting on eggs, so one to keep an eye on, I think.
February 11th 2023
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson, North Dumfries | WEATHER: Mainly cloudy, and chilly |
This location has been the gift that keeps on giving now for a couple of months, and with not too many other spots where you can be sure of getting in a few clicks, I headed there this morning primarily for a chance at a few shots of one of the Rusty Blackbirds that have been frequenting the boardwalk. After about an hour I gave up and headed back to the car, and on the way back 3 or 4 Rustys popped up ... my lucky day :)
Tip of the Day: Maybe you’ve heard of “golden hour.” It’s the time of day just after the sun starts to rise and just before it sets when the daylight is softer than it is the rest of the day. Photos were taken when the sun was high in the sky and often had harsh shadows or came out very dark. Even the best photographers will struggle to produce excellent images at high noon, instead opting for the soft, golden light. Not only will your photos look better at this time, but wildlife, including many birds, are typically more active in the morning and as the sun sets.
February 10th 2023
| LOCATION: Dundas | WEATHER: Cloudy and chilly |
Especially since I retired I find myself absorbed with a couple of passions. One of course is bird photography and the other is reading, and for the last year or so, the type has been detective novels. Its funny but some of things I have gleaned from reading this kind of "rubbish" is I find myself taking a lot of the same things into consideration as the fictional detectives do ... location, clues, history, right place-right time, and a few others. Of course, habitat and time of year comes into play as well.
Today I went back, with a friend, to the same spot in Dundas as a couple of days ago, a) to share my previous good luck and b) to see if I can get a shot of the White-throated Sparrow. Luck was with me on the sparrow, as it did sit out in the semi-open for several seconds allowing us each a couple of shots. On the down side the Hermit Thrush didn't show. On the up side Merlin picked both Winter Wren and Carolina Wren but again neither gave us a glimpse ... oh well another reason maybe to visit in the next little while. :)
Today I went back, with a friend, to the same spot in Dundas as a couple of days ago, a) to share my previous good luck and b) to see if I can get a shot of the White-throated Sparrow. Luck was with me on the sparrow, as it did sit out in the semi-open for several seconds allowing us each a couple of shots. On the down side the Hermit Thrush didn't show. On the up side Merlin picked both Winter Wren and Carolina Wren but again neither gave us a glimpse ... oh well another reason maybe to visit in the next little while. :)
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
February 8th 2023
| LOCATION: Dundas/Flamborough | WEATHER: Bright sunshine & mild |
When I spotted the Hermit Thrush a few days ago down in the Dundas area, I also caught a glimpse of a White-throated Sparrow, so today my target was said Sparrow. I staked out an area around where I had seen it a few days ago, and after a significant wait, it did show up, but it was again a very brief visit before disappearing back into the scrub. On the plus side I did have another couple of decent visitors - the Winter Wren, and the House Finch, and of course the Hermit Thrush was still around.
After a few hours I gave up, and headed off. A mile or two from my spot I saw another good looking habitat with several sparrows flying around. They were primarily American Tree Sparrows, but one was an unlikely Song Sparrow, and bonus ... he hung around, and checked me out :)
After a few hours I gave up, and headed off. A mile or two from my spot I saw another good looking habitat with several sparrows flying around. They were primarily American Tree Sparrows, but one was an unlikely Song Sparrow, and bonus ... he hung around, and checked me out :)
Tip of the Day: You don’t necessarily have to travel far to have a good Birdwatching/Bird Photography experience in the winter. The combination of fewer species plus birds’ heavier reliance on bird feeders during the colder months, all you need to do is scout your neighbourhood area to get to know where all the active feeders and if you are lucky, heated bird baths are! eg - in my area FWR Dickson is very productive
February 7th 2023
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Cloudy, and very mild (+5) |
Funny how good luck manifests itself. This morning I took a shortcut between main roads - one I had taken a few times in the past) and where almost always there is nothing to see or find. This morning however, I spotted a decent sized flock of Tree Sparrows on the side of the road, so I stopped and rolled the window down with a thought that I might get a shot or two, through the now open window. A few moments later a small flock of Snow Buntings hit the air about 80 yards away, so now these became the focus. They circled a couple of times and at one point a few landed on a nearby fence post, but almost immediately a Northern Harrier flew over and that was it with Snow Buntings as they high tailed it.
I sat in my vehicle for a while hoping for some Tree Sparrow action, and then my good luck hit home - the Harrier swung around several times hoping for a Tree Sparrow breakfast. I was able to fire off dozens of shots, sometimes he was too close and overfilled the frame.
After this I headed down to Dickson for a short visit. Lots of birds there ... as usual.
I sat in my vehicle for a while hoping for some Tree Sparrow action, and then my good luck hit home - the Harrier swung around several times hoping for a Tree Sparrow breakfast. I was able to fire off dozens of shots, sometimes he was too close and overfilled the frame.
After this I headed down to Dickson for a short visit. Lots of birds there ... as usual.
Tip of the Day: Shooting from inside a vehicle during the winter and extremely cold temps helps to keep the photographer warmer than they would be standing outside, but it can also cause problems because heat can come up from under the vehicle or escape from inside a vehicle and cause problems with focusing - photos will likely be soft and not quite in focus. So tip is that if you can get out of the vehicle, or what I try to do (it seems to help) is get the inside of the car cold usually by opening the windows several minutes before I get to my stopping spot.
February 5th 2023
| LOCATION: Dundas/Flamborough | WEATHER: Sun early on, then Cloudy, and very mild |
One of the primary reasons to running this blog wasn't to show off my finds and photographs, but more as an alternate to a diary that I used to keep, so lets call it an online and shared diary. Before heading out this morning I went through similar days at this time of year over a few years, to see what & where I was finding birds. I came across an entry that showed I had found a Hermit Thrush at the beginning of February, at a spot near Dundas, so I headed down with my fingers crossed that it might be a productive option. Almost at the same spot as in a previous year I was delighted to find my target ... the Hermit Thrush.
Tip of the Day: Cold weather and freezing water force many waterfowl south each winter. Look for residents of the far north like tundra swans in open marshes, lakes, and flooded fields, often mixed with flocks of slightly larger trumpeter swans. Diving ducks such as redheads, canvasbacks, common goldeneyes, buffleheads, mergansers, and more seek open water. Look for them in and around open water - rivers and ponds.
February 3rd 2023
I made my first entry on Feb 3d 2013, so that makes it 10 years. It has been a lot of fun :)
