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Feb 13 2024
adult
While driving a back road I spotted an eagle perched in an old tree. It was not too far from the road so I expected it to fly any second. It didn't. Over the course of the next 10 minutes I had a West Coast experience, where you could actually get close enough to an eagle for a decent shot. I slowly advanced, stopping every 20 feet or so, getting out and leaning over the car roof for cover. I made five stops, each time bewildered by the bird's disinterest in me. It eventually moved but not because of me. I was opposite it on the road so as close as I could be and it continued to look around in perfect light on a great perch against a deep blue winter sky. What an experience, one of a kind. Where I live, eagles are regular but getting close to one is virtually impossible.
Feb 14
Feb 5 2024
male, nest
Algonquin Park - There were hundreds of Red Crossbills. They were seen or heard at virtually every stop and are almost certainly nesting right now. They can breed in any month of the year, the decision being based on food availability not season. There are many types, with this one likely being the type that feeds on pines which have a good cone crop. They are notoriously tame, being very approachable and at times landing only a few feet away if you are still.
Feb 6
Short-eared Owl (39)
Jan 21 2024
Kingston - Wolfe Island. A flock of these beauties kept us occupied for about 90 minutes as dusk advanced. The sun was very low when this shot was taken.
Jan 23
Western Tanager (39)
male, adult, winter plummage, outside normal range
Ottawa - On my third attempt over a three week period I finally had the bird near a feeder. He sure brightens up the landscape.
Jan 15
St. Rose - I took advantage of morning sun looking for winter field birds. There were few but I did come across four Horned Larks. This Northern subspecies is with us throughout the winter and will leave in early March.
Jan 12
Jan 1 2024
male, adult
Hamilton - Long-tailed Ducks are common in the area in winter but I had to capture this bird. It had the longest tail I have seen on this species.
Jan 6
adult, outside normal range
Ottawa - A lingering bird, this Wood Thrush should be in Central America now.
Dec 20 2023
Purple Sandpiper (39)
Dec 14 2023
immature, outside normal range
Cobourg - I checked out another Purple Sandpiper and had good luck with this bird.
Dec 18 2023
Dec 7 2023
St. Andrew's West - It's that time of year. We had a large flock of up to 600 buntings feasting on spilled corn beside a farm. I managed to find a single Horned Lark in their midst.
Dec 10 2023
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