C B Images

Photography by Chris Bates

Monarch on Butterfly Bush
Monarch Butterfly Feeding on Butterfly Bush: ISO 800, 468mm, f/7.1, 1/640

We had a new visitor to our backyard. She is a little different from the birds and rabbits that frequent our yard.

Our Dwarf Butterfly Bush is in full bloom and its fragrance has attracted a skittish Monarch Butterfly. I had to use my long Zoom to get this close up.


Learning to Fly
Learning to Fly: ISO 400, 600mm, f/6.3, 1/1000

This pair of Chipping Sparrows were fun to watch in our backyard. This was a parent and fledgling. The parent (on the left) was flying from fence post to fence post coaxing the little one to follow. Once the little one arrived, she was awarded with food from the parent.

Mourning Dove
Mourning Dove: ISO 800, 600mm, f/8.0, 1/200

We added some new feeders to the backyard. The Mourning Doves come to check out what has been rejected by the other birds. They select the rejected seed that was thrown on the ground.

On a Mission
On a Mission: ISO 640, 240mm, f/5.6, 1/800

It is a cold winter day here. So, it is a good day to go through my pictures on my computer and see what I have not shared.

This was taken before our move to Ontario. One of my last walks in Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in Calgary, Alberta. The bees were hard at work collecting pollen before the cold weather arrives.

Nesting Swan
Nesting Swan: ISO 500, 400mm, f6.3, 1/1600

I took this image last spring at a local conservation area. There was a pair of swans. One was on the nest, the other close by guarding the nest from the water. A pair of Canada Geese were also nesting in close proximity. This lead to some interesting scenes of conflict between the two parent groups.


Female Red Winged Blackbird
Female Red Winged Blackbird: ISO 500, 400mm, f/6.3, 1/500

It has been a long time since my last post. I realize that I need to take the time for this hobby of mine.

This was taken in the spring of the busy pond life at a local conservation area in the Quinte region. This mom was keeping a close eye her juvenile forage for food.

Turtles and Blackbird Marsh Life II
Female Red-Winged Blackbird entertaining Eastern Painted Turtles: ISO 500, 368mm, f/6.3, 1/1000

This picture was taken the same day that I took the Geese Family photo below.

The turtles seem to be watching this bird rather intently.

Canadian Geese Family
Canada Geese Family: ISO 500, 227mm, f/6.3, 1/500

Spring is here. It seems a little late this year but these Canadian Geese are right on time.

Watchful  Robin
Watchful Robin: ISO 800, 400mm, f/6.3, 1/1000

This photo is from the same walk along the fence line in Quinte West last Sunday. I believe it is a different Robin than the one in the previous post.

This one was watching me from afar. Making sure I was doing nothing more than admiring the spring weather with my camera.

Robin with Nest Material
Robin with Nesting Material: ISO800, 400mm, f/6.3, 1/1250

Spring is finally here in Quinte West, Ontario! I went for a quick walk this cold morning to find some birds along a fence line. I spotted blackbirds, starlings, chickadees and robins.

This robin was showing off the material it collected to help build the nest in the cedar tree.