November 26th - 27th 2020
| Location: Luther Marsh area | Weather: Mix of sun and cloud |
On day1, I headed up to the Luther Marsh area in search of the Bohemian Waxwings that had been reported hanging out in the area. I zigzagged around the back roads for a few hours and ... nada. However a friend, who knew I was in that area called me to let me know some White-winged Crossbills were at a certain location, that I was pretty close to .... When I got to the spot there was a small flock of about 25 individuals, that left and returned repeatedly, so I was able to get a few shots. Always a pleasure to get a FOY sighting.
Day2: we returned with a hope that the Crossbills were still in the same area, but unfortunately, they had skedaddled through the night, but after checking a few of the other roads we found a decent sized Snow Bunting flock, so the day wasn't a total dud. A little earlier we came a distant flock of Sandhill Cranes, that we estimated was around 250 birds, but way too far for a shot, but nice to see nevertheless.
Day2: we returned with a hope that the Crossbills were still in the same area, but unfortunately, they had skedaddled through the night, but after checking a few of the other roads we found a decent sized Snow Bunting flock, so the day wasn't a total dud. A little earlier we came a distant flock of Sandhill Cranes, that we estimated was around 250 birds, but way too far for a shot, but nice to see nevertheless.
November 23rd 2020
| Location: South and West of Cambridge | Weather: Dry, and slightly warmer +2C |
| A fairly short drive around one of my favorite local areas ... Grass Lake, Glen Morris and surrounding area. It turned out to be reasonably fruitful in the afternoon, after the heavy snow yesterday. Back roads were a little slick, but with the nice light, it was an enjoyable cruise, and with one or two interesting birds to show for it. I headed to the one spot just beyond Glen Morris, hoping for Redpolls and the Fox Sparrow, that's been hanging out there. I saw a good sized flock of Common Redpolls numbering I would estimate in the 60 range, and although I did some looking and hoping for a Hoary Redpoll, I couldn't find one in the mix. As for the Fox Sparrow, I never even caught a glimpse of it .. oh well. However I did see lots of American Tree Sparrows, and one or two of them perched, albeit momentarily, in trees close to where I was. The big surprise was a small group of Eastern Bluebirds, that were perched along a hydro line, but even though I sat around (and even played a call at one point), they didn't venture off the line., so I had to be content with a shot on the wire. |  American Tree Sparrow |
As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
November 22nd 2020
| Location: My back yard in Kitchener | Weather: Light to heavy snow |
Both images taken alongside the bird feeders in my back yard, during our first snow storm of the season ... yuk!!
November 18th - 19th 2020
| Location: Amherst Island | Weather: Day1 cold - Day2 really windy |
Three of us headed up to the excellent birding island of Amherst. In the cold season this island is an amazing place to find several raptors, including the Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier and a few owl species, but predominately the Short-eared Owl. I We did, during our two days on the island also see a few Northern Shrike, which unfortunately for us, none of them hung around long enough for any snaps.
The main focus of the trip was to see and photograph the Short-eared Owls of which, at least on day one anyways, we were not disappointed. Late in the afternoon we counted somewhere around thirty individuals of which at least 20 of them, were in the air, buzzing around socializing with each other. ... blew my mind. Unfortunately for us they were somewhat too far away for decent shots, but the sight of the all the activity, was more than worth the trip. On Day 2, because of the very high winds the owls kept down, and didn't surface (other than a couple of bold ones, who braved the storm).
The main focus of the trip was to see and photograph the Short-eared Owls of which, at least on day one anyways, we were not disappointed. Late in the afternoon we counted somewhere around thirty individuals of which at least 20 of them, were in the air, buzzing around socializing with each other. ... blew my mind. Unfortunately for us they were somewhat too far away for decent shots, but the sight of the all the activity, was more than worth the trip. On Day 2, because of the very high winds the owls kept down, and didn't surface (other than a couple of bold ones, who braved the storm).
November 17th 2020
| Location: In and around Cambridge | Weather: Sun and cloud |
A short run out to check a couple of spots ... all 3 images from the same location. Species in description.
November 11th 2020
| Location: Paris area | Weather: Bright and sunny, and continuing warm - 23C |
Not an overly productive day, but the Redpoll was a nice surprise, being my first of the season.
As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
November 8th & 9th 2020
| Location: Paris area on 8th and Burlington on 9th | Weather:Continuing warm with sun & cloud |
8th: A run around a few of my local spots out towards Paris netted me a couple of bird, that I was hoping for. The American Tree Sparrow has just recently arrived to spend the winter around this area, so nice for a couple of them to pose for me, but bob! were they skittish. I also saw & photographed a Fox Sparrow at the same spot as the first Tree Sparrow, but it was a ways off and higher in the tree, so I decided not to post.
9th: Today I met up with a couple of friends and headed to a park area in Burlington, where the target was very much finding and photographing a Fox Sparrow. We were knocked out by the fact that at one spot we could see 5 separate individuals kicking up leaves and generally foraging for food. I managed a few dozed shots but the one below I especially liked.
9th: Today I met up with a couple of friends and headed to a park area in Burlington, where the target was very much finding and photographing a Fox Sparrow. We were knocked out by the fact that at one spot we could see 5 separate individuals kicking up leaves and generally foraging for food. I managed a few dozed shots but the one below I especially liked.
November 6th 2020
| Location: Around Elmira | Weather: Sun and cloud ... and warm |
The Cattle Egret has been hanging around at this location on the outskirts of the small town of Hawkesville for several days now, but being that it is a common bird in southern areas .. US, Caribbean, Mexico etc, and having seen them on numerous accasions in those areas, I resisted the urge to go and photograph this guy ... until this morning. He perched nice on this post and did a bit of foraging in the field around the post, showing us plenty of opportunities for a shot.
After getting a few shots I cruised around the area looking for other opportunities. I came across a few locations that I though were good spots for Winter Wren, so I was delighted when I saw a couple out in the open.
After getting a few shots I cruised around the area looking for other opportunities. I came across a few locations that I though were good spots for Winter Wren, so I was delighted when I saw a couple out in the open.
November 3rd 2020
| Location: Sensitive species, so held back | Weather: Sun and cloud |
 Long-eared Owl | I had heard through one of the many grapevines that birders and photographers, to some extent, live by of a few Long-eared Owls that were inhabiting a small forest area in SW Ontario. So, along with my regular birding partners, Steve & Helen, we wandered around that forested area with much anticipation. At one spot we briefly caught a glimpse of two birds, which flushed almost immediately .. so we were very disappointed to say the least, but that disappointment turned to excitement when a third bird was spotted. We managed several shots, and so after a few minutes we left the bird alone and returned to our vehicles ..... Awesome day. I have to apologize for the withholding of the sighting location. Owls are very sensitive and it's become common practice to keep sightings somewhat secret, in order to protect them from unscrupulous birders and photographers. |
November 2nd 2020
| Location: Kitchener | Weather: Snow overnight, but clear & occasionally sun |
I took a drive around the SW side of the city and although I was out for almost 3 hours I never pointed my camera at anything - I saw a few birds incl a few American Tree Sparrows, but none would sit up for it's portrait to be taken .. some days are like that I suppose.
After getting back home, I set up my camera in my dining room, and spent an hour or two photographing a few of the birds as they visited the feeders. Lots of Juncos & House Sparrows, but also a few Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Also there were both Nuthatch species and a few House Finches.
After getting back home, I set up my camera in my dining room, and spent an hour or two photographing a few of the birds as they visited the feeders. Lots of Juncos & House Sparrows, but also a few Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Also there were both Nuthatch species and a few House Finches.
