Brian Morin

1772 uploads

Total photos: 1772
Total videos: 0
Species photographed: 347
Most photographed species: Snowy Owl (See all)
Countries visited: 2
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
21

Chris: That is indeed incredible. While at Long Point I overheard talk of this occurrence. Glad you caught up with him!
BrianMorin: I have seen birds in northern Quebec but not in Ontario and to have one show up on this trip was an experience beyond incredible. Ironically we were watching the appearance of the bird on its journey which was first noted in Toronto a number of days earlier then possibly Burlington, then Port Stanley, Wheatley the day before and then Point Pelee before a final flight south to Pelee Island with no further updates. Hundreds of people saw this species for the first time that morning. The discovery close by at Wheatley the previous day was a closely guarded secret known only to a few local birders. All that changed before 6:00 a.m. when it showed up at the southern Tip of the park and the whole birding world knew. It made regional media news and I discovered moments ago that so did I. I was in the throng captured on video by a local broadcaster and aired on CBC (I recognized my hat and jacket) :) https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2204262979681
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Apr 21 2023
Ottawa - The lively extended song of this tiny mite is remarkable, a welcome sound on a spring day.
Apr 23 2023
19
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Eastern Meadowlark (74)
adult
Ingleside - These birds returned about a week ago and are a welcome sight in the fields. As expected, it was a very difficult subject to work with.
Apr 13 2023
18
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
male, adult
Long Sault - There are still a few hundred diving ducks in the river, with Ring-necked being the most numerous.
Apr 13 2023
20
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Western Grebe (74)
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
18
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
male, adult
Limoges - A flock was coming to a feeder. The birds were very skittish despite me being covered in camo mesh. It took two hours before they dropped down and I wasn't too close.
Mar 24 2023
21
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
adult, outside normal range
Gatineau - This was my second trip to see this northern species and it turned out better than my previous visit. The bird showed better this time.
Mar 10 2023
22
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
24
First photo badge
Copyright Brian Morin
Birdviewing.com
Mar 3 2023
female, adult
Beaver Lake - I spotted this bird sitting on the gravel right beside the Trans Canada Highway so I turned around and parked across the road. It popped up onto the snowbank offering a perfect eye-level setting before flying across the road.
Mar 4 2023
29
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
21