1369 results found

Copyright Chris
Birdviewing.com
Jan 22 2017
I just found the missing camera card from Costa Rica 2017. What a surprise. Now in addition to the Ontario trip, I have another series to upload. Lucky find.
See at Parque Nacional Quetzales, Costa Rica.
May 23 2023
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
May 8 2023
molting, outside normal range
Point Pelee National Park - This is the most unlikely bird to ever visit the southernmost point of mainland Canada and a record for this Arctic wanderer. Hundreds of observers saw the bird within its five hour visit before it flew off towards a destination even further south, Pelee Island, 16km away. In typical ptarmigan fashion it paid no attention to its admirers, at times approaching to within a few feet of them.
May 19 2023
Copyright Chris
Birdviewing.com
May 14 2023
On of my favourite species, ever since first seeing him in 1989 in Pointe Claire. Seen during his thousand mile journey, successfully finding small bugs to eat in the pine needles. Long Point, Ontario.
May 19 2023
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Western Grebe (41)
adult, outside normal range
Port Credit - This bird has put in an annual appearance for four years. It usually sticks around for a few weeks then moves about Lake Ontario and eventually heads to the Prairies. I went to see it last year but it was 150 metres out in the lake. Needless to say the speck in the middle of the shot was not very convincing. I spent the entire morning hoping for a close approach and had success a couple of times as it moved from far out to shore. It was always on the move and usually that was underwater. It can easily swim beneath the waves for several minutes and cover a great distance. It prefers underwater to flight or even swimming. It never flew.
Mar 30 2023
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Mar 2 2023
outside normal range
Manitoulin Island - This was a very long trip but since the last time this species was reported in Ontario was 2011 and earlier reports were way back, I decided to make the extended journey. It was worth the effort
Mar 4 2023
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Feb 8 2023
male, adult
Kingston - Wolfe Island - I had 7 owls of a probable 8-10 birds there this winter. Most did not present very well and adult males are notoriously skittish making shots like this a challenge. Their caution is for good reason because females always chase them away and wouldn't hesitate to have one for dinner. This is a very poor year for Snowy Owls, with most remaining in the Arctic. The area had the North American high for Christmas bird counts this year (8 birds). To show the potential, I think the all-time record was 80+ birds some years ago. I had 53 in 2014. When there is a bumper crop of voles in the area coinciding with plenty of owls heading south we can get results like that. This is the third consecutive year with low numbers in all of Southern Canada.
Feb 9 2023
Jan 18 2023
adult
They are large birds with a wingspan of 152cm (60inch). The casque on top of their bills are hollow, concave and serve no known purpose. They are monogamous and often build their nests in the same place every year. Before mating, they clean up the nesting hollow and engage in a little courtship involving food exchange. The female will spend increasing amounts of time inside the nest. When the eggs are laid, she sheds her breast feathers and seals herself inside the nest, leaving a vertical slit for the male to feed her. Here we see their pre-mating preparations.
Jan 19 2023
Copyright Chris
Birdviewing.com
After an unprecedented week of extreme weather, with temperatures below -10C and a snow storm of 35cm, the Anna's Hummingbirds were pushed to the limit. I found this one hiding in a hedge. We've kept the water from freezing as much as possible. As with so many bird photos, the story behind the photo makes for a lasting memory. Happy Holidays to all.
Dec 23 2022
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Dec 2 2022
female, outside normal range
Bailieboro - This bird was seconds from eluding me. I had spent over an hour checking the fields and farms it had been reported in for close to a week. Others had given up and I made one final run when I spotted it about 100 metres out atop a fence. It looked like it was merely a very small bump because it was crouched in the wind. I was later able to go onto the farm property thanks to the gracious homeowner and followed the bird for a bit as it hunted for insects on the ground. It was cold so it was lucky to find some large caterpillars.
Dec 5 2022
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Nov 24 2022
male, adult, winter plummage
Presqu'ile Provincial Park - This is a fairly rare shot of a common winter duck on Lake Ontario. I have never seen one out of the water although I have seen thousands. The bird was about 20 metres offshore and I stealthily approached very slowly, stopping with each small advancement. I used the camera on tripod as my blind so my form would not be obvious. It worked. In fact, I could have gotten even closer but I stopped when the water reached 3/4" from the top of my rubber boots. I knew what would happen next. I'd turn around and head for shore and it would move (I was about 10 metres into the lake). As soon as I turned it headed into the water and swam away.

The best thing about this rare experience was the setting. It was perfect late afternoon light with the bird in exactly the right position.
Nov 27 2022