Eastern Bluebird (41)

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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We have a few bluebirds breeding in the area but they are always a treat to see. This male had a partner and had already selected a nest box.

Date uploaded: Mar 5

Comments (5):
Ahmad Shah: Well captured.
Brian Morin: It took a number of shots on different perches before settling on this one as the most successful.

Northern Hawk-Owl (22)

Surnia ulula

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: Mar 3 2024

I don't normally post more than one shot of a recent subject but this one is worth an encore. I checked out the bird again and managed to get better shots than on the first sighting.

Date uploaded: Mar 4

Comments (1):
Chris: Gorgeous - bird and capture :)

Northern Hawk-Owl (22)

Surnia ulula

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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Winchester - Discovered a few days ago and since we are late in the season, the bird could head north any day now.

Date uploaded: Mar 2

Comments (3):
Sue Bishop: Wonderful!
Brian Morin: I thought I was going to miss the species this winter but thankfully this one was found last week.

Ruffed Grouse (20)

Bonasa umbellus

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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Date taken: Feb 26 2024

Details: adult

This was a late day surprise. I didn't see two birds picking up grit on the side of a dirt road until the last second because of the low light. I stopped only about a car length away from one as it worked its way back into the bush. I had no time to check camera settings and was worried about shooting too slow so I hoped for the best. I manged three shots of several in fairly good focus.

Date uploaded: Feb 27

Comments (7):
Ahmad Shah: Great capture.
Brian Morin: Luck was on my side. If the bird had flown it would have been game over but it decided to walk away casually, giving me 3 seconds to grab shots before it was in the brush.

Great Crested Flycatcher (28)

Myiarchus crinitus

Sue Bishop

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: May 11 2023

#Long Point

Date uploaded: Feb 24

Comments (1):
Brian Morin: Nicely focused

Northern Parula (55)

Parula americana

Sue Bishop

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: May 11 2023

# Long Point Bird Observatory

Date uploaded: Feb 24

Barrow's Goldeneye (21)

Bucephala islandica

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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Date taken: Feb 2 2024

Details: male, adult

Ottawa

Date uploaded: Feb 24

Comments (4):
Ahmad Shah: Fantastic find and shot.
Brian Morin: I got lucky on the location. I had heard one was in the area and was fortunate to see it near my side of the river.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (27)

Polioptila caerulea

Sue Bishop

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: May 6 2023

#Long Point
#Norfolk County

Date uploaded: Feb 22

Comments (1):
Brian Morin: You have me thinking about spring again. I can't wait to see these little guys.

Northern Shrike (21)

Lanius excubitor

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: Feb 11 2024

Details: immature

This is a very challenging subject to get close enough to for a good shot. I worked with it for two hours, then had it fly away from its normal treetop perches to land low beside the road.

Date uploaded: Feb 18

Comments (2):
Sue Bishop: You did well!
Brian Morin: This was just before I was going to give up so thankfully it worked out. I had far less success with an adult. It was a distant record shot.

Bald Eagle (67)

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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Date taken: Feb 13 2024

Details: 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.

Date uploaded: Feb 14

Comments (2):
Ahmad Shah: Fantastic capture.
Brian Morin: I couldn't believe my good fortune. The bird, the light and the sky were perfect. No editing required.