Gray Jay Date: Saturday February 28th 2015
Weather: Patchy Sun -18C (8:00am) rising to -8C at 11:00am (Sunny)
Location: Algonquin Park
A sunny & hopefully photogenic type day forecast, so with the good company of Steve Lindsay, we headed to Algonquin Park - a 4 hour drive north in the hope of capturing some of the winter species that are often found in that area. after a 3:30 am start we headed north. First stop in the park was Spruce Bog, which is well known for Whiskey Jacks (Grey Jays) & Boreal Chickadees. Almost instantly in the poor early morning light we had two Boreal Chickadees (along with another half dozen Black-capped Chickadees), feeding where some scattered seed was found. As we headed back to our vehicle a couple of Grey Jays popped up, posing nicely. Moving on .. to the visitor Center, lots of Common Redpolls were around and at least one Hoary Redpoll (the differences between Common & Hoary are subtle, so I had to rely on a birder we met to confirm). Not sure if I have any image or not, to tell the truth I couldn't tell the difference :(. Tried Opengo Road but nothing showed so went back to Spruce Bog to join a group of a dozen or so birder/photographers who were on the same mission as us. All in all not a bad day!!
Weather: Patchy Sun -18C (8:00am) rising to -8C at 11:00am (Sunny)
Location: Algonquin Park
A sunny & hopefully photogenic type day forecast, so with the good company of Steve Lindsay, we headed to Algonquin Park - a 4 hour drive north in the hope of capturing some of the winter species that are often found in that area. after a 3:30 am start we headed north. First stop in the park was Spruce Bog, which is well known for Whiskey Jacks (Grey Jays) & Boreal Chickadees. Almost instantly in the poor early morning light we had two Boreal Chickadees (along with another half dozen Black-capped Chickadees), feeding where some scattered seed was found. As we headed back to our vehicle a couple of Grey Jays popped up, posing nicely. Moving on .. to the visitor Center, lots of Common Redpolls were around and at least one Hoary Redpoll (the differences between Common & Hoary are subtle, so I had to rely on a birder we met to confirm). Not sure if I have any image or not, to tell the truth I couldn't tell the difference :(. Tried Opengo Road but nothing showed so went back to Spruce Bog to join a group of a dozen or so birder/photographers who were on the same mission as us. All in all not a bad day!!
22nd February 2015
Horned Lark Date: Sunday February 22nd 2015
Weather: Dull -8C (8:00am)
Location: Hamilton - Niagara
I had to make an early morning visit to the Burlington area (for work), so being in the area it seemed an idea to visit some spots in the Hamilton area, that I hadn't been to in some time. First stop was on 10th Line above Stoney Creek, where Short-eared Owls are being sighted. Unfortunately, as was kinda expected no Owls were active, but I had hoped that just maybe I would spot one roosting. Unfortunately luck was not with me here, so headed down to a side road near/behind the new hospital in St Catherines, where in the past Snowy Owls are often seen .. no luck (0 for 2) so far. However near the same area I found a few Snow Buntings and a single Horned Lark that were foraging at a Grape Vineyard. Anyways, even the though the light was crappy I managed a couple of OK shots.
Weather: Dull -8C (8:00am)
Location: Hamilton - Niagara
I had to make an early morning visit to the Burlington area (for work), so being in the area it seemed an idea to visit some spots in the Hamilton area, that I hadn't been to in some time. First stop was on 10th Line above Stoney Creek, where Short-eared Owls are being sighted. Unfortunately, as was kinda expected no Owls were active, but I had hoped that just maybe I would spot one roosting. Unfortunately luck was not with me here, so headed down to a side road near/behind the new hospital in St Catherines, where in the past Snowy Owls are often seen .. no luck (0 for 2) so far. However near the same area I found a few Snow Buntings and a single Horned Lark that were foraging at a Grape Vineyard. Anyways, even the though the light was crappy I managed a couple of OK shots.
21st February 2015
Date: Saturday February 21st 2015
Weather: Light Snow -8C (10:00am)
Location: Riverside Park
It wasn't a day to be exposing relatively expensive photographic equipment to the elements, but with time on my hands I headed over to to Riverside Park. I chatted with a couple of birders for a few minutes who pointed out a Pileated Woodpecker in a tree close by, that after a few seconds flew away in a westerly direction, and almost at the same time a second Pileated was heard in the opposite direction. I headed over to see if I could pinpoint 2nd Piliated and found him hammering away at the top of an old semi-dead tree next to the river. Of course ... no camera :( Still I was not disappointed .. (2) Pileated within 10 minutes of each other was pretty exciting. Other that that .. I spotted lots of Mourning Doves, Cardinals, Tree Sparrows, Chickadees and a lone Red-tailed Hawk. Weather looks promising for tomorrow (Sunday) :)
Weather: Light Snow -8C (10:00am)
Location: Riverside Park
It wasn't a day to be exposing relatively expensive photographic equipment to the elements, but with time on my hands I headed over to to Riverside Park. I chatted with a couple of birders for a few minutes who pointed out a Pileated Woodpecker in a tree close by, that after a few seconds flew away in a westerly direction, and almost at the same time a second Pileated was heard in the opposite direction. I headed over to see if I could pinpoint 2nd Piliated and found him hammering away at the top of an old semi-dead tree next to the river. Of course ... no camera :( Still I was not disappointed .. (2) Pileated within 10 minutes of each other was pretty exciting. Other that that .. I spotted lots of Mourning Doves, Cardinals, Tree Sparrows, Chickadees and a lone Red-tailed Hawk. Weather looks promising for tomorrow (Sunday) :)
16th February 2015
A change from birds !! Date: Monday February 16th 2015
Weather: Sunny & Clear -28C (7:30am)
Location: Oakville & Hamilton
Another nippy one this morning, but again weather gurus were promising clear & sunny skies, so light should be good for bird photography. I was a bit disappointed with the Harris's Sparrow image I had from Sunday, so headed back to Oakville. After 2 1/2 hours I had to give up with not one sighting of very much of anything, other than a "Sharpi" (Sharp-shinned Hawk) that was perched on a branch not too far away (maybe the reason the small birds were absent). The hawk didn't seem too concerned about the audience (another half dozen birders/photographers showed up) and a couple of times flew into the spruce trees in attempt to flush out any small birds that might have been around and in fact the second time he did this he managed to nab breakfast (an unfortunate House Sparrow). From there I popped into Ls Salle Marina, Windermere Basin, Woodland Cemetery and finally the boardwalk at Hendrie Valley. Nothing too exciting at any of these locations
Weather: Sunny & Clear -28C (7:30am)
Location: Oakville & Hamilton
Another nippy one this morning, but again weather gurus were promising clear & sunny skies, so light should be good for bird photography. I was a bit disappointed with the Harris's Sparrow image I had from Sunday, so headed back to Oakville. After 2 1/2 hours I had to give up with not one sighting of very much of anything, other than a "Sharpi" (Sharp-shinned Hawk) that was perched on a branch not too far away (maybe the reason the small birds were absent). The hawk didn't seem too concerned about the audience (another half dozen birders/photographers showed up) and a couple of times flew into the spruce trees in attempt to flush out any small birds that might have been around and in fact the second time he did this he managed to nab breakfast (an unfortunate House Sparrow). From there I popped into Ls Salle Marina, Windermere Basin, Woodland Cemetery and finally the boardwalk at Hendrie Valley. Nothing too exciting at any of these locations
15th February 2015
Harris's Sparrow Date: Sunday February 15th 2015
Weather: Sunny & Clear -25C (7:30am)
Location: Oakville & Burlington
A bitterly cold morning, and I really had to think twice about heading out. However wrapped up well, furry hat and good to go! My first thoughts were that the Ducks & Grebes will be fighting for space in the few open water locations that are left, and what better location than the Lift-bridge at Hamilton. As predicted there were was very little true open water left along the channel, but it was along the far side of the channel, so shooting from that side would mean the light would be in my face .. not the optimal scenario. However a few shots were taken of mostly Long-tailed Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers. Whilst scanning the bushes next to the far side shore I spotted a Northern Mockingbird (too far for a photograph). Next stop was Wilmott Park in Oakville to see if I could spot the visiting Harris's Sparrow (I had never seen one before) - I didn't have to wait too long - the Harris was feeding on the ground along with a flock of House Sparrows (a couple of White-throated Sparrows were also in the group). At Wilmott there was a small flock of Pine Siskins (my first this winter) and also some House Finches (including one that had an odd colouring. Whilst in Oakville I thought I would see how the Painted Bunting was making out in the extreme cold. Sadly, it seems that although he is still alive, it is definitely in distress. A fellow birder showed up with a plan to "rescue" the PB and between a fishing net and some camo sheet, the bird eluded the group of "rescuers". Update: see note below. I left, so not sure of the final outcome. Bonus bird at this location was a Carolina Wren.
Weather: Sunny & Clear -25C (7:30am)
Location: Oakville & Burlington
A bitterly cold morning, and I really had to think twice about heading out. However wrapped up well, furry hat and good to go! My first thoughts were that the Ducks & Grebes will be fighting for space in the few open water locations that are left, and what better location than the Lift-bridge at Hamilton. As predicted there were was very little true open water left along the channel, but it was along the far side of the channel, so shooting from that side would mean the light would be in my face .. not the optimal scenario. However a few shots were taken of mostly Long-tailed Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers. Whilst scanning the bushes next to the far side shore I spotted a Northern Mockingbird (too far for a photograph). Next stop was Wilmott Park in Oakville to see if I could spot the visiting Harris's Sparrow (I had never seen one before) - I didn't have to wait too long - the Harris was feeding on the ground along with a flock of House Sparrows (a couple of White-throated Sparrows were also in the group). At Wilmott there was a small flock of Pine Siskins (my first this winter) and also some House Finches (including one that had an odd colouring. Whilst in Oakville I thought I would see how the Painted Bunting was making out in the extreme cold. Sadly, it seems that although he is still alive, it is definitely in distress. A fellow birder showed up with a plan to "rescue" the PB and between a fishing net and some camo sheet, the bird eluded the group of "rescuers". Update: see note below. I left, so not sure of the final outcome. Bonus bird at this location was a Carolina Wren.
The Painted Bunting at Oakville ... definitely in distress in the -25C weather, but still has some fight left (see this forum entry)
7th February 2015
White-breasted Nuthatch Date: Saturday February 7th 2015
Weather: Cloudy & Overcast -3C (9:30am)
Location: Riverside Park, Cambridge
With snow and cloudy overcast conditions forecast for all weekend, a field trip any distance was not in todays plans. Headed to Riverside Park in Cambridge, a popular spot for a lot of local birders/photographers, especially along the boardwalk. I didn't feel like lugging around the "big gun" today, so grabbed the 100-400 instead - didn't expect to see anything noteworthy. Today had a few hardy individuals staking out the plethora of Chickadees, Cardinals, Tree Sparrows, Nuthatches and the occasional woodpecker. The only highlight was a fleeting glimpse of a Common Redpoll and a prolonged visit of a Red-tailed Hawk, that moved from tree to tree - I assume checking out the smörgåsbord of small birds & squirrels below. Light was terrible so images that I did record were poor. Interestingly as I drove home towards the Grand River I glanced over at last years Bald Eagle nest on Fountain Street and a pair of Bald Eagles (I assume last years pair) were sitting adjacent to the nest - great news, I think - maybe this year they will successfully rear offspring (last year they abandoned the nest after incubating for a couple of weeks).
Weather: Cloudy & Overcast -3C (9:30am)
Location: Riverside Park, Cambridge
With snow and cloudy overcast conditions forecast for all weekend, a field trip any distance was not in todays plans. Headed to Riverside Park in Cambridge, a popular spot for a lot of local birders/photographers, especially along the boardwalk. I didn't feel like lugging around the "big gun" today, so grabbed the 100-400 instead - didn't expect to see anything noteworthy. Today had a few hardy individuals staking out the plethora of Chickadees, Cardinals, Tree Sparrows, Nuthatches and the occasional woodpecker. The only highlight was a fleeting glimpse of a Common Redpoll and a prolonged visit of a Red-tailed Hawk, that moved from tree to tree - I assume checking out the smörgåsbord of small birds & squirrels below. Light was terrible so images that I did record were poor. Interestingly as I drove home towards the Grand River I glanced over at last years Bald Eagle nest on Fountain Street and a pair of Bald Eagles (I assume last years pair) were sitting adjacent to the nest - great news, I think - maybe this year they will successfully rear offspring (last year they abandoned the nest after incubating for a couple of weeks).
