Birds

Green Heron: ISO 1250, 840mm, f/9.0, 1/1600
This is a continuation of my previous post.
This Green Heron had landed beside me at Lock 1 of the Trent-Severn Waterway in Quinte West, Ontario.
I had given up, as I wasn't getting much action in the river valley, when this Green Heron flew down and started fishing right beside me. I have seen this species of bird before, but never gotten this close to one.

Green Heron at Lock 1: ISO 1250, 840mm, f/9.0, 1/320
This is another image taken at my new favourite spot at the bottom of Lock 1 of the Trent-Severn Waterway.
I was finally able to get out to take some pictures on my day off from work. I feared that I had missed most of the migratory birds that flow through this area as they head south for the winter.
I had given up, as I wasn't getting much action in the river valley, when this Green Heron flew down and started fishing right beside me. I have seen this species of bird before, but never gotten this close to one.
This shot was one of the last I had taken as he flew from the riverbank to this tree branch that hangs over the river. As you can see, the leaves were just starting to change colour for the start of fall.

Swamp Sparrow: ISO 640, 539mm, f/8, 1/500
Happy Canada Day!
I went for a walk at a local park. We are a short distance from Lock 1 of the Trent Severn Waterway (Parks Canada).
The weather is hot and humid after a rainfall last night.
I noticed this little bird coming in and out from the brush along the river shore. My guess was that she had some young ones to feed. This is a Swamp Sparrow.
I had originally thought it was a Song Sparrow but upon closer inspection of a larger screen, I saw I was wrong.

Chickadee: ISO 800, 300mm, f/4.0, 1/2000
I took this image on a cold morning along the shore of Lake Ontario near the town of Port Hope.
This chickadee was looking for a food handout, and I forgot to bring some bird seed. She let me take her picture anyway.

Winter Time Song Sparrow: ISO 2000, f/9.0, 600mm, 1/800
I walked down a country lane in our neighbourhood hoping to spot a Blue Jay I had heard while shovelling our driveway this morning.
I was surprised to see 10 different species today including this Song Sparrow. The other species I had seen were Red-Winged Blackbirds, Dark Eyed Junco, American Robin, Northern Cardinals, House Finch, Mourning Doves, American Goldfinch and Chickadee.

Duck in Water: ISO 3200, 400mm, f/6.3, 1/1000
This photo was taken at Vanderwater Conservation Area.
I believe it is a Blue Winged Teal. There were a few of them in a little pond in the Conservation Area.

Fledgling Robin on a Butterfly Bush: ISO 1000, 150mm, f/5.7, 1/1600
The Robins must have had a second brood this year. This was taken late July.
This one allowed me to get close for a few shots. I then let the parents come with some food.

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.

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.

Nose Creek Great Blue Heron and Duck: ISO 800, 210mm, f/7.1, 1/250
It has been awhile since I posted anything to my photo blog. Spring has come early to Airdrie, Alberta. The vegetation is turning green early. We have been in need of rain and it has finally fallen this past weekend and today.
I had to take a walk today and thought I would do some exploring along the banks of the Nose Creek. The waterfowl are out as well as this Great Blue Heron.
