November in Tommy Thompson Park

Winter birding in Tommy Thompson Park this November was very rewarding. Due to low water levels, the island on the northwest side was accessible. The island is a nesting colony for Double-crested Cormorants, gulls, and night-herons between April and September, so there were some remains that were difficult to avoid.
On the harbour we saw a flock of hundreds of waterfowl that mainly consisted of Long-tailed Ducks. Additionally, sparrows were abundant in the dense shrubs north of the island. We also had a long look at one Peregrine Falcon that was perched upon a tall dead tree preening its feathers.

At about noon, we decided we would start heading back. Just as we were passing the harbour, I noticed a silhouette beside a big boat; an owl! Looking closer I realized it was just wooden...

November 3rd in Humber Bay Park East

November 3rd I spend my Saturday afternoon birding in Humber Bay Park East and honestly, I did not see that many species of birds. However, this was more than made up by the number of Long-tailed Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, Buffleheads, and Scaups.
I also had the chance to get some photos of a pair of Snow Buntings right by the Humber River, just posing there. (They are so cute - Snow Buntings are my new favourite birds!)

Snow Bunting on the east bank of the Humber River near Lake Ontario.

Spending October 21st at Lynde Shores CA

On the 21st of October I visited Lynde Shores Conservation Area near Ajax, by Lake Ontario. It was quite a productive day as I and a group of friends saw 50 species in total until lunchtime.
It was an unusual day because we were there for an OFO Trip, however it was moved to next week and we were not notified. However, we still had fun and took some decent photos.

Desperate Black-capped Chickadees fighting for the granola bar on my hand. (Photo taken by Ark.)

House Finch by bird feeders.

There was a great abundance of sparrows. Apparently someone also spotted a Long-eared Owl among the evergreens, but we didn't get a chance to see it. There was also a wide range of duck species and numerous herons present. A good bird we observed was the Nashville Warbler by the marsh, which was supposed to have migrated by now. (See that yellow blur!)

New Backyard Bird: the Hermit Thrush

Recently, I had an interesting bird in my backyard that I thought is worth mentioning. It was the Hermit Thrush and I had it return several times over the course of three days in October. I believe it was a migrant on its way south.

Hermit Thrush in my backyard.

It do not think it was that unusual because I live near a park and running water, however my backyard did not provide any suitable food for this species or moving water. It was a nice new backyard bird, but I hope I get some more exciting ones during the winter.

Thanksgiving near Algonquin Park, ON

This Thanksgiving was not very productive bird-wise, but this weekend provided opportunities for photography of natural subjects such as landscapes and plants. We usually stay at a cottage near Algonquin Park (around and hour away) in a region known as Kaszuby. It was the first Polish settlement in Canada, and the land is now dotted with cottages and some permanent homes. It is a very beautiful place with deep forest and many small lakes, so I think some of my photos came out:

Morning mist over Wadsworth Lake.

My 2-year-old dog Amber running like a bunny.

Frost over small plants and weeds after a cold night.

Looking into the sun past trees.

Unfortunately, one Dark-eyed Junco collided into a window by the cottage.

Misty forest.

Quilt of fall colours under cloudy sky at the end of Tom's Lookout Trail.

Actually, it had just rained when I took this last picture. By the time we finished the trail and got back into the car, it was pouring rain. Driving back to the cottage was quite slippery, and we lost control of the mini-van and crashed into a ditch. The car was a little bit scratched, but we could not drive out. When we got the car towed, it was still working, so we did not need to fix it immediately. Driving around that same bend later that day, we saw that another car got stuck in that exact same ditch!

Overall, it was a nice weekend full of turkey dinners. 

September in High Park

This September, I spent a few weekends taking pictures in High Park, and in other parks in Toronto. Here are some of the results, including beautiful flowers (I cannot name), Wood Ducks (both male and female), and a Canada Goose that my dog amber was chasing.

A pretty red flower. Anybody know what kind it is?

Brilliant orange flower. Is anyone good at flower identification?

Female Wood Duck shaking the water out of her feathers.

Female Wood Duck with a water dripping from her bill.

Male Wood Duck.

Male Wood Duck up-close.

Canada Goose alarmed by my dog Amber.

Lots of ants crawling over this magnificent pink flower.

If you are not familiar with High Park birds, Wood Ducks are very abundant in the pond right by the children's playground, as well as the north side of Grenadier Pond. They are very beautiful and are not afraid to approach humans, so they are easy photos!

Also, the autumn landscape anywhere in the park is quite colourful in late September to early November. High Park is quite a nice place for birding, photography, and other recreational activities even though it is so close to a busy, urban environment.

Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) 30th Annual Convention

A single Merlin was seen flying over Gull Island, alarming (and actually chasing) many of the shorebirds on shore, mostly the Black-bellied Plovers.

Large flocks of American Pipits were observed migrating along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Black-capped Chickadee was just landing on this green feeder in a backyard of a cottage within the park.

This White-breasted Nuthatch was approaching me very closely in that same backyard as I was taking this photograph.

I was very lucky to have snapped this single shot of a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird right beside me as it was sipping nectar from a beautiful orange flower.

Butterfly experts - what species is this?

The only survivor of many eggs predated by a raccoon, this baby Snapping Turtle just managed to survive - hopefully it will continue to live a long life, unlike many other turtles of this species.

6 Mute Swans (2 adults, 1 sub-adult, 3 immatures) in the Brighton Constructive Wetland.

A Yellow-rumped Warbler flying down to a lower branch.

Black-throated Green Warblers were abundant today.

Because visitors to Presqu'ile PP feed these foxes, they become tame and are not afraid to approach humans. This one, with a coat variation, was right outside the parking lot by the lighthouse at the far end of the park.

Peregrine Falcon flying over the beach.

Destructive Raccoons

There are some pests in the backyard that you just can't seem to get rid of. I have heard many stories about these animals in other birders' yards, but it is interesting to look at the damage these mammals can make.

A lot of people get angry when squirrels or chipmunks eat up all their expensive seeds that were actually meant for the birds. Well, I have a worse case: raccoons. They already destroyed two of my feeders, and they continue to eat up all the bird food in one night. I've got the squirrel proofing in my yard, but that doesn't stop these pests from returning every single night...

Nyjer feeder with an enormous chunk bitten out of it.

The raccoons cracked the plastic in this feeder and ripped of part of the metal frame.

The only solution is that I should start taking the feeders in the house with me during the night. There's no way of winning with these pests!

Birds of High Park, Toronto

As many Torontonians know, High Park is the place to be not only for birding, but also for a nice stroll in the park.Grenadier Pond provides a good water source for all birds, and a variety of birds breed and migrate through High Park's mixed habitats.

This morning I was there for a bird outing, but the trip turned more into a photography trip. I was met there by posing, unafraid birds of all kinds; here are some of the best shots.

Female House Sparrow

Female American Goldfinch (non-breeding plumage)

Female Wood Duck

Mallard (non-breeding plumage)

Female American Goldfinch (non-breeding plumage)

Male American Goldfinch (non-breeding plumage)

Male American Goldfinch (non-breeding plumage)

Male American Goldfinch (non-breeding plumage)

Male American Goldfinch (non-breeding plumage)

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron catching fish.

Red-necked Grebe Photos

Red-necked Grebe parents calling to each other.

Nestling grebe stretching.

Adult grebe catching fish.

Fluffy grebe begging for food.