February 29th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Changeable (sun, cloud, snow) |
Today was a weird kind of day, relative to 24 hours before. Yesterday I woke up to 15 C, but this morning it was -7C, but on the plus side I see more signs of spring. I was driving along Paris Plans Church Road and spotted, amongst other things, several dozen Common Grackles, who were foraging in a small woodlot... so yet another sign of an impending spring.
Tip of the Day: One of the tricks to winter birding is patience. You can often go long periods without seeing any birds, but when one shows up, there are usually many more to follow, since many species converge together in feeding flocks.
February 20th & 26th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (again) | WEATHER: Mild/ish |
I am really late adding these entries, as I was doing some home reno work, so just getting to the catch up now.
Weather is definitely warming up, so we are starting to see the occasional new migrant. I have seen both Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins, so shouldn't be too long until we see a songbird or two. The other thing I have noticed is the diminishing numbers of the wintering birds - Juncos, Tree Sparrows etc ... I am ready for spring !!!
Weather is definitely warming up, so we are starting to see the occasional new migrant. I have seen both Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins, so shouldn't be too long until we see a songbird or two. The other thing I have noticed is the diminishing numbers of the wintering birds - Juncos, Tree Sparrows etc ... I am ready for spring !!!
February 15th - 17th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries & Kitchener | WEATHER: Some snow and some clear weather |
The weather over the last couple of days has been veering towards the wintery, but with some snowy days and with some brighter days, so lots of photography opportunities ... which is good!!
I didn't travel very far - with the furthest point being the far end of North Dumfries.
I didn't travel very far - with the furthest point being the far end of North Dumfries.
Tip of the Day: If you wish to be a good nature photographer, ethics must be a fundamental part of your sessions. Remember that you are a guest in their place, that you are taking your photos, so you must respect their habitat.
February 12th 2024
| LOCATION: Riverside Park, Cambridge | WEATHER: Sun and cloud |
Riverside was always one of my close to home, regular spots, but I hadn't been for several months, so this morning, with nowhere better in mind, I thought I would check it out. I had been noticing a couple of out of season/unusual birds were being found there .. Grey Catbirds and Red-winged Blackbird, so I was hoping. As it happened I did see the Red-winged Blackbird, but just as I pointed the camera, my battery died (hence the Tip of the Day), so no pic, but on the plus side I did see and photograph a White-throated Sparrow &, House Finch, and a few of the winter regulars.
Tip of the Day: Battery failing always seems to be at the worst possible time, so don't get caught out, so always carry a spare battery!
February 11th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries (again) | WEATHER: Typical late winter day |
Yet another quiet day, so you take what you can find. First stop was FWR Dickson where some of the usual were hanging around, but the Tufted Titmouse(es) were a little in short supply, as were the Carolina Wren .. although I did hear there was one showing a little earlier.
February 8th 2024
| LOCATION: Algonquin Provincial Park | WEATHER: Mild, with some sun and cloud |
With the obvious reduction in winter bird sightings, and with the previous weeks visit to Algonquin, I thought ... lets do another trip !! Now being a 4 hour drive its not to be taken too lightly, especially at todays gas costs, but why not !!
Up real early, and on the road, and passing through the west gate at around 6:50 am (yep ... pretty stupid .. I know)
I started off at the East Gate and worked my way back through the park, hitting all the popular spots.
A few birds, but not seeing some of my favorites ... Redpolls, Canada Jays to name but a couple.
Up real early, and on the road, and passing through the west gate at around 6:50 am (yep ... pretty stupid .. I know)
I started off at the East Gate and worked my way back through the park, hitting all the popular spots.
A few birds, but not seeing some of my favorites ... Redpolls, Canada Jays to name but a couple.
February 3rd & 7th 2024
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Mild,(ish) but no precip |
Image opportunities have been getting a little slower over the last few days, so I assume that the winter birds are starting to think about heading north, but it's still too early for the southern birds from heading back into our vicinity ... just yet.
Over these two particular days there still has been the occasional opportunity, but you need patience !!
Over these two particular days there still has been the occasional opportunity, but you need patience !!
February 2nd 2024
WEATHER: Sun and cloud, milder
Yet another few hours spent at FWR this morning. Quite a few active species hanging around with the prize species, for most visitors, being generally the Tufted Titmouse(s), but a few other species have been popping by occasionally - eg today we heard a Red Crossbill, but unfortunately he or she didn't pop into the open, but I did pick up a strong call/song using Merlin.
This was another day generally testing the Canon 200-800, and I am pretty happy with the lens. The only negative issue I am experiencing, is that it can be tricky to focus quickly, and I find myself pre-focussing on some nearby solid object .. eg a tree trunk or similar. I maybe need more practice :) !!
This was another day generally testing the Canon 200-800, and I am pretty happy with the lens. The only negative issue I am experiencing, is that it can be tricky to focus quickly, and I find myself pre-focussing on some nearby solid object .. eg a tree trunk or similar. I maybe need more practice :) !!
Tip of the Day: Although you should always try to get the composition right at the time of shooting, the speed at which birds move means judicious cropping is often required in post-processing. Use this process to perfect your compositions. The rule of thirds never fails here. ... usually!!
February 1st 2024
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson Wilderness Area | WEATHER: Damp, with some drizzle, but mild |
Canon has just recently released a new RF series zoom lens .. the RF200-800, now as a bird photographer | could see this as a very useful piece of equipment so after some looking around to find one, I was able to pick up one yesterday at one of Kitchener/Waterloo Photo stores (BJ Photo) ... a superb outlet. I already have the RF100-500, as well as a 500mm prime, so the results could be interesting when comes to getting sharp images of our little avian friends.
I figured that FWR was as good as anywhere for the test as there are always a few birds around, and generally reasonably close to boot.
To cut to the chase ... as you can see from the four images below, the lens handled pretty well and I definitely see it as a keeper, and one that I will using very regularly.
I figured that FWR was as good as anywhere for the test as there are always a few birds around, and generally reasonably close to boot.
To cut to the chase ... as you can see from the four images below, the lens handled pretty well and I definitely see it as a keeper, and one that I will using very regularly.
Tip of the Day: In winter – rather than trying to capture a bunch of new species, focus instead on getting to know the more common birds and watch their behaviour more carefully than you normally would.
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
