Presqu'ile Provincial Park - An uncommon migrant. There were three birds hanging around Gull Island for a few days. It meant heading out in chest waders – the water was up to waist deep for part of the walk over but worth the effort. The high wind that developed didn't help the trip back however. Last year at this time we could walk over in low boots or sandals.
Presqu'ile Provincial Park - This is a provincially endangered species with only a few breeding pairs. 2023 was a poor breeding year. This male was calling and flying about proclaiming territory. We were not near a nest. The pair did not nest this year but another pair did.
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.
Brighton - My fourth and likely the last Cattle Egret for the year. The bird was just north of Presqu'ile Provincial Park and I was passing only a few kilometres away so I stopped to check it out. This was a stellar year for these birds, with several dozen appearing in diverse locations, including Northern Ontario. The bird was finally driven out by snow.
Canada (Ontario)
