Oshawa - An end of the year treat. These coastal birds show up very late in the season in very small numbers, normally along Lake Ontario. I was lucky to find two. They are very hardy and one or two may overwinter in rocky areas that don't freeze. They are notoriously tame. I just waited for them to come to me.
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.
Presqu'ile Provincial Park - Gull Island This bird was a shocker. While checking a few birds on shore I saw bright orange legs from a distance and thought maybe a turnstone but not this time. We look for them in November but in recent years it has been December and still at best an annual rarity. Incredibly early. The bird is molting into its first winter plumage.
Vankleek Hill - A species that breeds in northern Manitoba, this bird was present in a yard all winter. I failed on two previous attempts to see it so after waiting a couple of hours I was happy to finally spot it. The bird was still moulting but was far along in its progression to breeding plumage. It sang for me for about an hour which in its opening was very similar to an abbreviated White-throated Sparrow song.
Canada (Ontario)
India
