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.

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.

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.

Red Crossbill (7)

Loxia curvirostra

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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Date taken: Feb 5 2024

Details: male, nest

Algonquin Park - There were hundreds of Red Crossbills. They were seen or heard at virtually every stop and are almost certainly nesting right now. They can breed in any month of the year, the decision being based on food availability not season. There are many types, with this one likely being the type that feeds on pines which have a good cone crop. They are notoriously tame, being very approachable and at times landing only a few feet away if you are still.

Date uploaded: Feb 6

Comments (3):
Ahmad Shah: Superb find, excellent capture.
Brian Morin: This experience surpassed my expectations. I knew I'd find them but hoped I'd get lucky with some photos. I have way too many, both on the ground and in trees. :)

Short-eared Owl (41)

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: Jan 21 2024

Kingston - Wolfe Island. A flock of these beauties kept us occupied for about 90 minutes as dusk advanced. The sun was very low when this shot was taken.

Date uploaded: Jan 23

Comments (3):
Chris: I was going to say, that sun has added a terrific colouring here.
Jan: Wonderful placement of feathers on this beautiful Short-eared Owl. It looks quite comfortable sitting on it's post, great photo!

Prothonotary Warbler (41)

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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Date taken: May 10 2023

Details: male

Point Pelee National Park

Date uploaded: Jan 20

Comments (5):
Ahmad Shah: That is awesome capture.
Brian Morin: A cold winter day got me thinking about spring and birds I had at Point Pelee last May. The Prothonotary was one of my favourites.