February 26th 2022
| LOCATION: Dundas/Flamborough | WEATHER: Sun and cloud, at -6C |
Nice looking morning so I headed back to a currently favorite area, in and around Flamborough. My first stop was at Summit Bog Conservation Area, where last week I had seen lots of Cedar Waxwings and a Brown Creeper (which was too fast for me to photograph). Today however the Brown Creeper stuck around long enough for a couple of shots, albeit at a fair distance, but at least I managed something. Other sightings at this spot were the American Robin and a Hermit Thrush (Not the pic below).
From here I headed to Inksetter Road to see if the Harris Sparrow was showing, but unfortunately it didn't, but lots of other sparrow species incl White throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow and the White-crowned Sparrow.
From here, I headed to Dundas Valley Conservation Area which was a waste of time as I didn't see anything .. zero, not even a Chickadee, but on the way there a flock of four Sandhill Cranes flew low over the road. They looked like they were getting ready to land, but I was unable to find them.
Last stop was a small trail which is a part of Christie Lake, but jut not the actual CA. Here I found another Hermit Thrush, which posed nicely for me. While here a Turkey Vulture flew over ... Really early I think.
From here I headed to Inksetter Road to see if the Harris Sparrow was showing, but unfortunately it didn't, but lots of other sparrow species incl White throated Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow and the White-crowned Sparrow.
From here, I headed to Dundas Valley Conservation Area which was a waste of time as I didn't see anything .. zero, not even a Chickadee, but on the way there a flock of four Sandhill Cranes flew low over the road. They looked like they were getting ready to land, but I was unable to find them.
Last stop was a small trail which is a part of Christie Lake, but jut not the actual CA. Here I found another Hermit Thrush, which posed nicely for me. While here a Turkey Vulture flew over ... Really early I think.
February 24th 2022
| LOCATION: Riverside Park, Cambridge | WEATHER: Sunny, but back to -6 |
I initially headed to a trail along the Grand River in Cambridge, as I had heard that a Swainson's Thrush had been spotted along there a couple of days ago. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be found, so after an hour, I headed to Riverside Park, which is fairly close by.
I didn't expect much, but when I arrived at the boardwalk I met a friend who gave me the heads up about a Winter Wren that was popping up regularly. Now that was good news on this, so far, quiet day. Within a very short time .. up he popped and gave us a few great views.
After a time a male Purple Finch showed up, but he didn't stick around too long, but I did manage a couple of shots while he was around.
All in all not a bad day ... especially for late February.
I didn't expect much, but when I arrived at the boardwalk I met a friend who gave me the heads up about a Winter Wren that was popping up regularly. Now that was good news on this, so far, quiet day. Within a very short time .. up he popped and gave us a few great views.
After a time a male Purple Finch showed up, but he didn't stick around too long, but I did manage a couple of shots while he was around.
All in all not a bad day ... especially for late February.
Tip of the Day: To survive in winter, birds have to work hard to conserve energy and resources, so it’s important to respect their habitat and food sources. Make sure to walk softly and keep your distance from prime bird habitat (bushes, covered areas, feeders, grasslands) to avoid startling birds out of their roosts. Also, make sure to stick to the trails because some birds roost on the ground in grassy areas covered with snow.
February 22nd 2022
| LOCATION: Another day at home in Kitchener | WEATHER: Pouring rain, but at least above zero |
With the weather being rain all day, I kinda had no choice but to stay home, and make the most of my back yard visitations. Nothing popped up that was any different from previous days, the rain does kind of add some atmosphere, so at the end of the day I was quite happy.
February 20th & 21st 2022
| LOCATION: Flamborough area, both days | WEATHER: a bit milder, and some sun |
It was amazing to get out on the road again, after a week "confined to barracks" so to speak. Both days I headed down to Flamborough area and toured a few of my favorite spots. The one spot I always go to when in this zone, is Inksetter Road, where for the last couple of months a rarity has been hiding out - a Harris's Sparrow. The Harris breed exclusively in northern Canada in areas of open tundra mixed with white pine, black spruce, larch, alder, and willow. In winter they use shrubby areas near streams of the southern Great Plains, but this one has found it's way here instead. Over the last couple of weeks when I have visited I have been unlucky, but today managed a few shots.
The Harris is hanging out with a few other sparrow species - The White-throated, Song, White-crowned, Tree and some House Sparrows, so quite a good variety and well worth a visit.
On day 2 we were fortunate to find a Pins Siskin at the same location, so it was a great 2 days (maybe I should buy a lottery ticket while my luck holds ? )
The Harris is hanging out with a few other sparrow species - The White-throated, Song, White-crowned, Tree and some House Sparrows, so quite a good variety and well worth a visit.
On day 2 we were fortunate to find a Pins Siskin at the same location, so it was a great 2 days (maybe I should buy a lottery ticket while my luck holds ? )
February 18th & 19th 2022
| LOCATION: Back yard in Kitchener.. again | WEATHER: Cold days, but some sun |
Back yard shooting is pretty boring .. I know, but it has to beat not going out at all ... at least in my eyes anyways, and you never know what is going to show up and surprise you. At this time of year (mid Feb) I have in past years had visits from Pine Siskins and sometimes even Common Redpolls, but unfortunately, as far as know anyways, I have not had any of ether of these two show up, but I live in hope.
February 12th & 13th 2022
| LOCATION: Still shooting in my back yard (Kitchener) | WEATHER: Still snowy (off and on) |
With all the recent snow I have been staying at home, but setting up, as usual, at my dining room patio doors, and waiting/hoping for a better "visitor" than the usual Juncos, House Sparrows, Cardinals and of course .. Blue Jays.
Saying that Blue Jays are an extremely photogenic bird and will often perch interestingly. I'm not saying the two images below fall into that category, but you get my thinkings :)
Saying that Blue Jays are an extremely photogenic bird and will often perch interestingly. I'm not saying the two images below fall into that category, but you get my thinkings :)
Tip of the Day: For a back yard setup, like most other bird photography, early morning is usually the best. I find that the first 3 hours after the sun rises, the birds are at their most active in and around the feeders. At this time the sun is not at full strength so gives you nice even light.
February 11th 2022
| LOCATION: Stuck at home, Kitchener | WEATHER: Crappy, snowy day |
Just a day at home - snowy/wet kinda day
February 10th 2022
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Cloudy and a tad milder again |
 Bald Eagle | Cruised the side roads off 24A between Cambridge and Paris, and specifically Paris Plains Road, West Dumfries Road & West River Road. Quite a few birds scavenging along the road edge - Horned Larks predominately, but quite a few Snow Buntings as well. Highlight was a Bald Eagle sitting fairly close to West River Road, so I was able to get a few shots from my position sitting in my vehicle, through the open window. The only difficulty was getting a clean look through the branches that were between me and the bird. One of the nice things about shooting with a long-reach telephoto lens, which in my case here a 500mm with a 1.4TC, so an effective focal length of 700mm, is that the short Depth of Field (DOF) was working in my favour. In reality I was shooting through lots of branches that were so out of focus that they became almost invisible. The only thing I had to do in post-processing was to brush in a little Dehaze in Photoshop at the areas where the branches slight blur areas were effected. |
February 9th 2022
| LOCATION: Local to Kitchener area | WEATHER: Sunny, and surprisingly mild and pleasant |
Decided to stay close to home today .. first stop was to check out Linear Trail in Cambridge - The Black-crowned Night Heron is still being seen, as well as a Kingfisher, both of whom would be awesome to photograph. I did, however, see a Blue Heron, but he high-tailed it before I could get a focus on him ... so maybe all 3 next time... maybe :)
After leaving Preston I headed to Blair, which is on my way home, to see what waterbirds were showing - Quite a few Scaup, Mergansers and especially Golden-eyes (and of course Mallards). While waiting I was delighted to see a Mink fishing on a little ice island directly out from where I was standing - and seemed to be doing OK with several catches in the 20 mins I stood there.
Back home I setup, yet again, looking out my dining room patio doors and was delighted to see a few birds - nothing too unusual, but at one point a Coopers Hawk scattered them all and then landed out in the (almost) open and gave me a few shots.
After leaving Preston I headed to Blair, which is on my way home, to see what waterbirds were showing - Quite a few Scaup, Mergansers and especially Golden-eyes (and of course Mallards). While waiting I was delighted to see a Mink fishing on a little ice island directly out from where I was standing - and seemed to be doing OK with several catches in the 20 mins I stood there.
Back home I setup, yet again, looking out my dining room patio doors and was delighted to see a few birds - nothing too unusual, but at one point a Coopers Hawk scattered them all and then landed out in the (almost) open and gave me a few shots.
February 6th & 7th 2022
| LOCATION: Flamborough - Ancaster | WEATHER: Bright sun both days. |
Day1 was sunny, but with the wind it was really cold, so we didn't hang around in the open for too long I can tell you. The Horned Lark and the Snow Bunting were the highlights of the day.
Day2 I was on my own and headed to a spot where both a Pine Grosbeak and a Purple Finch had been reported over the last couple of days (Summit Bog near Ancaster) and was delighted to see both of these species, as well as a flock of Cedar Waxwings. Unfortunately I really goofed with both the Grosbeak and the Purple Finch ... I must have inadvertently moved the speed knob, so when I in-camera adjust ISO to set exposure I was shooting at a stupid 1/8000 sec, and with the ISO adjusted it was at ISO5000 . See "Tip of the Day" below
On the plus side after my mini disaster I came across a small flock of sparrows, cardinals and juncos and in the mix was a Song Sparrow and a White-crowned Sparrow, both of whom are slightly unlikely during the winter months, so they somewhat made up for my earlier mistake.
Day2 I was on my own and headed to a spot where both a Pine Grosbeak and a Purple Finch had been reported over the last couple of days (Summit Bog near Ancaster) and was delighted to see both of these species, as well as a flock of Cedar Waxwings. Unfortunately I really goofed with both the Grosbeak and the Purple Finch ... I must have inadvertently moved the speed knob, so when I in-camera adjust ISO to set exposure I was shooting at a stupid 1/8000 sec, and with the ISO adjusted it was at ISO5000 . See "Tip of the Day" below
On the plus side after my mini disaster I came across a small flock of sparrows, cardinals and juncos and in the mix was a Song Sparrow and a White-crowned Sparrow, both of whom are slightly unlikely during the winter months, so they somewhat made up for my earlier mistake.
Tip of the Day: As you have likely read in todays commentary it can be very, very easy to brush against camera dials and buttons, making shoot settings a little wayward, so once you are setup or reached your walking destination, recheck all your controls (speed, aperture and ISO) and reset as necessary. ... I wish I had :(
February 5th 2022
| LOCATION: Dundas - Jerseyville | WEATHER: Bright sun but still pretty cold |
Thanks to a good friend who pointed me in the right direction to see and photograph mainly Horned Larks and Snow Buntings I was able to get a couple of decent shots of both (near Jerseyville) earlier today ... they generally sat out in the open, so I was pretty happy with the several shots I was able to snap.
In the same general area I found likely the most cooperative flock of Cedar Waxwings I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. They came down to almost eye level and in a couple of cases within 12 feet of where I was standing in the open. Incredible !!
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
In the same general area I found likely the most cooperative flock of Cedar Waxwings I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. They came down to almost eye level and in a couple of cases within 12 feet of where I was standing in the open. Incredible !!
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
February 3rd 2022
Back on 3rd February 2013 I started an online diary, which a short time later I called a blog and started to share the contents online. That was exactly 9 years ago today. I still find myself, very regularly, looking back to the the same time period in previous years to see what I found and where it was. Gives me ideas on where to go for the coming days .. amazing the number of times I find myself having a similar experience.
Based on the site statistics, I can see that I get quite a few visitors on a daily basis, so for those that are, or have done so, I thank you for your participation & support.
Based on the site statistics, I can see that I get quite a few visitors on a daily basis, so for those that are, or have done so, I thank you for your participation & support.
February 2nd 2022
| LOCATION: Stuck at home in Kitchener | WEATHER: Rain 1st thing, which turned to wet snow |
Forecast for the next couple of days is snow, and we got a fair dump today, and we can expect the same again tomorrow. With most places pretty quiet anyways I have decided for these two days to stay at home, and do a little more shooting from our dining room, which unfortunately has to be through glass (our patio doors).
Birds tend to be little cautious about coming to the feeders during a snowfall, but every now and then through today, I did get a few birds hanging around, and snacking. Unfortunately the squirrels tend to spook the birds, as well getting most of the food, but I suppose they have to eat as well, so I wasn't too aggressive about chasing them off, and generally they all got fed.
Snow started late morning, following a period of very light misty rain, so I was able to get a few shots pre-snow which gave me a nice variation through the day.
Birds tend to be little cautious about coming to the feeders during a snowfall, but every now and then through today, I did get a few birds hanging around, and snacking. Unfortunately the squirrels tend to spook the birds, as well getting most of the food, but I suppose they have to eat as well, so I wasn't too aggressive about chasing them off, and generally they all got fed.
Snow started late morning, following a period of very light misty rain, so I was able to get a few shots pre-snow which gave me a nice variation through the day.
Tip of the Day: in low-light winter days, raising the ISO of your camera is almost a must. On overcast days, especially near sunrise or sunset, expect to use anywhere from ISO 800 to ISO 3200, depending on your desired shutter speed. When I’m on the go, I occasionally let my camera make some decisions for me. I often set my camera to auto ISO with a limit of 6400. This means the camera can pick any ISO it wants, but never above ISO 6400. I get flexibility, but avoid high noise levels in my images. Choose a level based on your camera’s capabilities, and if need be consult the manual
