March 21st & 22nd 2023
| LOCATION: N. Dumfries then home in KW (both days) | WEATHER: Sun and cloud and way warmer |
A quick run out to Grass Lake area in the hope of sighting either a Kildeer or an Eastern Meadowlark. Luck was partly with me as I did see two Meadowlarks, and I also spotted a Kildeer as it flew across my path. On day 2 I was luckier - I saw and photographed both species
After the drive I settled in to simply watching my feeders, and it turned out be quite good, with lots of Cowbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Grackles as well
After the drive I settled in to simply watching my feeders, and it turned out be quite good, with lots of Cowbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Grackles as well
March 20th 2023
| LOCATION: North Dumfries and FWR Dickson | WEATHER: Pure sun and much milder |
I did a morning drive around Grass Lake and over to FWR Dickson. Not too much around, but a Merlin sat for a minute or so and gave me a yucky view, but any Merlin shot is technically a good shot I suppose. I spotted a couple of Vultures, and another add to the FOS list (first of season)
Tip of the Day: Pure sun can be a problem with deep shadows and bright highlights, so a good way to deal with it is to "point your shadow at the bird". That way the shadows are generally gone, and all you to have to worry about is the highlights.
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
March 18th 2023
| LOCATION: Kitchener | WEATHER: Sun and cloud, then snowy |
I took a drive around the area, but there was almost nothing showing, so ended up back at home, shooting from my dining room glass door, and ended up with all but of the images from there.
March 17th 2023
| LOCATION: At home in Kitchener | WEATHER: Rainy but mild |
On the negative side it was forecast was to be rain all day, so it was destined to be a day at home. On the plus side I set up a tripod and stocked the feeders and waited and hope. As it happened there were several species that came in.
March 16th 2023
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Sun and cloud, and turning quite warm |
A drive around close to home this morning was on the cards, so yet again around the North Dumfries back roads. I did take a walk into FWR Dickson, but it was unusually very quiet, so moved on to driving around West Dumfries Road and Paris Plains Church Road. I spotted a clump of Sumac and wondered if there might be some birds around, as they often feed on this bush during the winter months. I used Merlin to listen and was delighted to discover that there was a Yellow-rumped Warbler in the vicinity, but it never popped up, but a pair Eastern Bluebirds did :)
March 15th 2023
| LOCATION: Burlington La Salle Marina | WEATHER: Pure sun, cold, but warmed up |
I took a drive down to La Salle Marina, in Burlington, to see what if anything was new now that winter is drawing to a close. Other than the regulars - Bufflehead, Goldeneyes, Canada Geese and Mallards, there was less new than I had hoped, but very pleased to come across a Horned Grebe, and a White-winged Scoter.
Tip of the Day: For ducks and waterbirds - study their behavior for capturing predictive moments. As you begin to learn the habits of each species, you can better predict their behavior. This will allow you to prepare for what’s next, and have the appropriate camera settings and positioning ready.
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
March 14th 2023
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson, North Dumfries | WEATHER: Sun and cloud, but an icy cold wind |
Yep .. yet another visit to the FWR Dickson Wilderness Area, where I can be sure of seeing lots of different birds thanks to a mystery guy who visits early, most mornings, and floods the boardwalk area with a mountain of sunflower seeds.
March 13th 2023
| LOCATION: At home in Kitchener | WEATHER: Dull with snow flurries |
 European Starling | Weather was not very inviting with flurries and quite dull, as well as being a little misty, so I though save the gas, and have a day at home. The only interesting arrival was the Brown-headed Cowbird, that was hanging out with a dozen or so Red-winged Blackbirds |
March 11th 2023
| LOCATION: North Dumfries & FWR | WEATHER: Bright sun and chilly (-7C) |
I headed back to my ongoing favorite haunt for this winter - North Dumfries & FWR Dickson Wilderness Area. I hesitated before heading down the trail to the boardwalk area at FWR, as it was fairly much virgin snow, and likely a bit of a slog, but I went anyways, and it wasn't too bad on my ancient body.
Nothing too exciting to see, but there was a flock of Cedar Waxwings up in the trees, that didn't come close ... sadly, but typical nonetheless.
Lots of American Tree Sparrows and American Goldfinches, and a single Rusty Blackbird, that for once posed nicely.
Nothing too exciting to see, but there was a flock of Cedar Waxwings up in the trees, that didn't come close ... sadly, but typical nonetheless.
Lots of American Tree Sparrows and American Goldfinches, and a single Rusty Blackbird, that for once posed nicely.
Tip of the Day: Shoot your bird pictures when the sun is less harsh – either in in the early morning or late afternoon. Softer sunlight promotes smooth and consistent illumination across your entire image. It will also lessen shadows and intense brightness, which can take away from and even ruin your image by obscuring details. An added bonus: birds tend to be most active in the morning!
March 9th 2023
| LOCATION: Hamilton - Long Point | WEATHER: Pure sun and mild |
A day out in southern Ontario, starting off in Burlington, then headed down towards Long Point. Quite a few duck species in around La Salle Marina, which because of the harsh sun I didn't bother trying to get a shot, but they were nice to see nonetheless.
Down in the Long Point area there were lots of raptors - Kestrels, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, and of course Short-eared Owls.
Down in the Long Point area there were lots of raptors - Kestrels, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, and of course Short-eared Owls.
March 6th 2023
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson and North Dumfries | WEATHER: Snow flurries, but mild |
I had a few species on my hope for list this morning - Eastern Meadowlark (one had been sighted along West Dumfries Road a couple of days ago), American Robin, Eastern Bluebird and maybe a Pileated Woodpecker. As they say .. "the best laid plans of mice and men" . The only one I managed was the American Robin, which was a FOS photograph for me so not too much of a dud day.
Tip of the Day: Bird photography isn’t just about getting close. It’s also about creating beautiful compositions, getting the light just right, learning to expose properly and learning to track fast-moving subjects.
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
March 3rd 2023
| LOCATION: Riverside Park, Cambridge | WEATHER: Cloudy |
| For a change I headed to a spot I hadn't been to in a while - the boardwalk at Riverside Park in Cambridge. It turned out to be decent choice of venue as I was fortunate to pick up a couple of decent birds for the time of year. First on my list was a shot | managed of one of three Common Grackles that were hanging about, and a first of the year sighting for me of this species... a sign of an impending spring (maybe) . Next was a surprising White-throated Sparrow. Not a FOS but nice to find. Other species were Northern Cardinals - there must have 25 or so along the boardwalk, Red-winged Blackbirds (lots), tons of House Sparrows, quite a few American Tree Sparrows, a few Dark-eyed Juncos, and I also saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker and a couple of Downy Woodpeckers as well. |  White-throated Sparrow |
March 1st & 2nd 2023
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson & North Dumfries | WEATHER: Cloudy mainly, but mild |
Day1: Yet another day close to home ... North Dumfries usually has something to photograph and today was no exception. The Horned Larks around Grass Lake were in abundance - I must have seen 30 or more along the gravel road there. FWR Dickson had the usual ... Tufted Titmouse, Red-winged Blackbirds, Downy Woodpecker, Juncos, Tree Sparrows, Chickadees, White-breasted |Nuthatches, and a surprise for me anyways .. a Carolina Wren.
Day2: Back to Dickson ... it seems the only place around where there is a decent variety. Today there were a few Rusty Blackbirds and Red-bellied Woodpecker, as well as what I posted.
Day2: Back to Dickson ... it seems the only place around where there is a decent variety. Today there were a few Rusty Blackbirds and Red-bellied Woodpecker, as well as what I posted.
Tip of the Day: Attracting birds in winter is easier than you might think! The most straightforward advice on how to attract winter birds is to provide food they love and offer them safe places for them to take shelter as the air gets crisp and the temps fall .. so get those feeders out !!
