234 results found

Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Mar 16 2024
Wolfe Island Kingston – It was a good winter for this species on the island. Earlier in the year I had many but while there were only 4-5 remaining on this day, I was very pleased with the result. The nice thing about shorties is that they usually become active before dark, in this case 2 hours ahead, so getting acceptable photos in available light is possible.
Mar 17
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
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
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
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
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
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
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
immature, outside normal range
Ingleside - This out of range Florida bird has been around for weeks and with leaves gone it has been easier to find. Last night we had a hard freeze which had the bird not in its usual area. You won't see many shots of this species enjoying a Canadian winter. It is very healthy at this time and can fly no problem. It is feeding on dead fish, a frog (when it was warmer) aquatic vegetation and wild grapes. Those huge feet allow it to move very easily on the ice. Attempts by others to retrieve the bird so it can overwinter in a rehabilitation facility failed today. It is still too healthy and eluded its captors.
Nov 21 2023
Copyright Sue Bishop
Birdviewing.com
Feb 21 2023
#winter range
#Finca Lerida
#Chiriqui Province
Apr 29 2023
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Feb 13 2023
female, adult, outside normal range
Ottawa- There have been a few owls reported this winter but they have been extremely difficult to observe. They only become active after sunset and during the day they roost in evergreens like spruce, making them difficult to detect. This shot was taken once it had moved from its roost when the light was failing rapidly. The shots were at a very high ISO at a very low shutter speed on tripod. Even then I barely managed to keep it in focus. The bird was in a wooded area within the suburbs. I made multiple attempts for owls before finally locating this one.
Feb 14 2023
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
female, adult, outside normal range
Ottawa - There have been a few northern woodpeckers showing up in the region this winter.
Feb 13 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
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
adult
Ingleside - I didn't have far to go for these birds which was nice for a change. This was my first good opportunity to work with the waxwings this winter.
Jan 31 2023