November 28th & 29th 2022
| LOCATION: a) Luther Marsh b) North Dumfries | WEATHER: Mild, sun and cloud |
28th: Steve and I headed up to the Luther Marsh area, generally working our way along the road just north of the park, but ended up trying out a few other roads, looking for Winter Finches and/or Bohemian Waxwings. However it was a bit of a non event as the only birds we managed a few shots off were the Cedar Waxwings and a very nice Merlin, which gave us some nice shots.
29th: Today I stuck around home and then a short run out to the Grass Lake area. Grass Lake had a few Sandhill Cranes. The Coopers Hawk was through my dining room window ...
29th: Today I stuck around home and then a short run out to the Grass Lake area. Grass Lake had a few Sandhill Cranes. The Coopers Hawk was through my dining room window ...
Tip of the Day: At this time of year and until into March, when driving around look for small flocks of birds flying around and perched at the top of trees. Winter finches are known to do just that. The good part is that in the winter the trees are bare, so spotting those perched birds is so much easier.
November 24th & 25th 2022
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Mix of sun and cloud, but mild |
Nov 24th: Checked out the Grand Allee trail for the Harris's Sparrow, but although it was being seen, I was unable to catch a glimpse. Lots of Fox Sparrows still around, but the prize today was getting a shot of the Northern Mockingbird that hangs out in that area.
Nov 25th: Forecast was initially calling for rain, but when I checked the forecast this morning it had changed to cloudy and mild, so perfect (almost) weather for images (soft shadows and no highlights). Started of along Alps Road and ended up at the FWR Dickson Trail. I saw almost zero before getting to FWR, and I was surprised to see that the parking lot was empty, so even better :). The usual fellas were there - Tufted Titmouse, Tree Sparrows, Nuthatches, Red-belly Woodpecker, Winter Wren etc etc.
Nov 25th: Forecast was initially calling for rain, but when I checked the forecast this morning it had changed to cloudy and mild, so perfect (almost) weather for images (soft shadows and no highlights). Started of along Alps Road and ended up at the FWR Dickson Trail. I saw almost zero before getting to FWR, and I was surprised to see that the parking lot was empty, so even better :). The usual fellas were there - Tufted Titmouse, Tree Sparrows, Nuthatches, Red-belly Woodpecker, Winter Wren etc etc.
Tip of the Day: Protect your binoculars and camera from the snow as excessive moisture can ruin even the best equipment.
November 23rd 2022
| LOCATION: Luther Marsh | WEATHER: Cool start (-6) and misty, but pure sun later |
I got up this morning and during my morning coffee I checked out the Rare Bird report for this part of Ontario. There was a sighting yesterday of a Bohemian Waxwing at Luther Marsh, so I headed up on impulse, to check it out.
Around this time of year we start to get sightings of a few other excellent birds in that area so I was quite pumped as to what I might find. I did find the Bohemians which was a flock of about 25 or so, with a couple of Cedar Waxwings in the mix as well. During my hunt I also picked up Common Redpoll on Merlin, but never saw one, which would have been real nice :(
Further along and a bit later I came across a Northern Shrike, but he was a tad skittish, so I never got very close, but I was pretty happy withy the find/shots anyway :)
Around this time of year we start to get sightings of a few other excellent birds in that area so I was quite pumped as to what I might find. I did find the Bohemians which was a flock of about 25 or so, with a couple of Cedar Waxwings in the mix as well. During my hunt I also picked up Common Redpoll on Merlin, but never saw one, which would have been real nice :(
Further along and a bit later I came across a Northern Shrike, but he was a tad skittish, so I never got very close, but I was pretty happy withy the find/shots anyway :)
November 22nd 2022
| LOCATION: Guelph, then North Dumfries | WEATHER: Cold, but some sun |
Initially our target was the reported White-eyed Vireo that was being seen next to the WWTP on the south side of Guelph, but today ... no sign of it. We did see the mink though
Headed from there over to Whistlebare Road looking for the Harris's Sparrow, but although it was being seen through the day, we never got a glimpse .. such is life I suppose. On the plus side we saw at least 6 different Fox Sparrows that were foraging together. Word has it that there was actually 7 of them ... incredible !!
Headed from there over to Whistlebare Road looking for the Harris's Sparrow, but although it was being seen through the day, we never got a glimpse .. such is life I suppose. On the plus side we saw at least 6 different Fox Sparrows that were foraging together. Word has it that there was actually 7 of them ... incredible !!
November 20th 2022
| LOCATION: Whistlebare Road, Blair | WEATHER: Bit of sun and cloud, but bitterly cold |
For the past several days there had been a Harris's Sparrow hanging out the trail entrance to RARE Charitable Research Reserve - Grand Allee Trail. Over the same time period I have made several visits with virtually zero luck, but this morning I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and managed a few shots of this rarity. The shots I managed were not top notch, but I was still very pleased with the results - not my first Harris's but awesome nevertheless :)
Tip of the Day: One of the most challenging aspects of winter wildlife photography is keeping yourself and your photography gear safe in the sometimes hostile conditions of winter. Wildlife photography is often a waiting game, and while it’s relatively easy to stay warm while on the move, having the correct layers and gear are critical to staying comfortable and safe while waiting for just the right moment, so dress warm as well as, and most importantly, wear good gloves.
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
November 17th & 18th 2022
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson | WEATHER: Light snow and COLD |
The gift that keeps on giving ... FWR Dickson has a few nice birds that seem to always show up, when one is there, so we keep on going., and of course we keep hoping for something a little more interesting or unusual, by WTH .. what we get is pretty good.
November 12th 2022
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson, and at home | WEATHER: Mainly cloud, and getting cooler |
Headed back down to FWR this morning. Mainly because there are a few birds around there and based on Merlin, a chance of a few more interesting species .. eg Red Crossbill, Evening Grosbeak etc etc. Today I saw Cedar Waxwings, Winter Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Fox Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, both Nuthatches, Song Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Juncos, and a few others.
November 11th 2022
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson, and at home | WEATHER: Duller with rain maybe, but mild |
.. working on it :)
November 9th 2022
| LOCATION: Within a couple of miles from home | WEATHER: Yet another sunny day |
I read recently one of the reasons bird watching is so important to an individual, is because "it is somewhat of mindless relaxation. In an age of technocratic utilitarianism a man needs as much purposeless activity as he can find."
Anyways today I didn't venture too far - I checked out one of the back roads just outside the city and was delighted to find a Brown Creeper that danced around for 10 minutes or so and gave me lots of shots.
Anyways today I didn't venture too far - I checked out one of the back roads just outside the city and was delighted to find a Brown Creeper that danced around for 10 minutes or so and gave me lots of shots.
Tip of the Day: Yesterday I found myself a good distance along a trail, and then realized that my camera battery had died, so todays tip is to, either make sure you have spare batteries with you or at least, check before leaving, that you have enough battery power to last the day.
November 7th 2022
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Mainly sunny, and still mild |
I spent most of the morning off and on, at the FWR Dickson Wilderness Area (again). It is hard to resist as there is quite a few good birds being seen there most days .. Yesterday it was reported that even a Red Crossbill was sighted there, that on top of the White-winged Crossbill the other day, and of course almost daily Evening Grosbeaks are sighted, so the area is hard to resist.
Today a few Evening Grosbeaks popped up, as well as the Fox Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Towhee and lots of the usual.
Today a few Evening Grosbeaks popped up, as well as the Fox Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Towhee and lots of the usual.
** As always ... click on any image to show full size. Also by hovering your cursor over any image will provide a title
November 5th - 6th 2022
| LOCATION: North Dumfries | WEATHER: Sun and and cloud, and mild |
Over the last couple of days I have taken a walk into the Dickson trail, and specifically along the boardwalk there. Lots of birds popping back and forward to the seed left along the boardwalk railing, and lots of decent opportunities as these well publicized and decent birds pop out occasionally. Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Fox Sparrow, Pileated Woodpecker, Tree Sparrows, Nuthatches, Winter Wren and a few others are quite common.
It's a popular place right now, and I have been very happy bumping into some familiar faces.
It's a popular place right now, and I have been very happy bumping into some familiar faces.
Tip of the Day: Once you get to a spot while out on a trail or parked beside the road or ?? - Take note of your surroundings and be aware of some good perches that are in range of your shots. If there doesn't seem to be anything interesting then adjust your location so that perches are better. Pre-focus on those perches and then be ready ..
November 1st 2022
| LOCATION: FWR Dickson Wildlife Area | WEATHER: Misty start, then sun/cloud but very mild |
This morning I was looking at the Rare Bird Alert for this area and noticed that a Tufted Titmouse had been spotted at FWR yesterday, so this being a bird I always love to photograph, I headed over to this location and walked around the trails hoping to spot it. Thanks to Merlin (my hearing is very poor, so I rely heavily these days on the Merlin App) I picked up the call at the north end of the Park, and after hanging about for a half hour or so he popped into the open for a few seconds, and I was able to grab a couple of shots.
