Category Archives: birds

July goulash

  Nothing from this baker’s dozen of July images has had a posting of its own.  A few birds avoid the valleys and prefer the mountains. One of these is the White-crowned Sparrow. Wintering to the south, it breeds here … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, herptiles, mammals | 4 Comments

Bitching chicks

  Osprey parents share a problem with a number of other species: How do you persuade maturing offspring to leave the nest? Being fed and looked after at home is comfortable, and consequently many offspring never want the coddling to … Continue reading

Posted in birds | 9 Comments

Mayfly mating

  Mayfly adults live brief and perilous lives. Mayflies emerge from the water as short-lived adults with one objective: to mate. The mayfly is immediately beset by other creatures that would feast upon it. Fish frequently jump from the water … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, fish | 1 Comment

Vulture symposium

  Today, I was granted observer status at a symposium of Turkey Vultures. The gathering was called on account of a cougar kill of a hapless deer. At eighteen delegates, it was the largest congregation of vultures I have witnessed, … Continue reading

Posted in birds | 6 Comments

Finn’s view

  Two days ago, I noted that during a walk in the woods, my daughter, Cynthia, managed nicer images than I did. Recently, my grandson, Finn, also spent a week with me. During our walks, he did likewise. He is … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, mammals | 6 Comments

Chipping Sparrow feeding

  I have reached the enviable situation where my descendants are besting my photographic efforts. This is the summertime, and I am being visited by family, some of whom choose to wander the woods with me. The striking thing is … Continue reading

Posted in birds | 3 Comments

Belated chicks

  Mallard chicks, still in their natal down, were first seen in mid-May. Since then, the chicks seen have been juveniles, smaller than adults, but long out of their natal down and all looking like the female duck. It came … Continue reading

Posted in birds | 2 Comments

Unrequited yellowthroat

  The Common Yellowthroat is a warm-season warbler that is found in our patchy fields and wetlands. It feeds and breeds locally. I encountered a canoodling couple in some wetlands. Each hung around the other bearing a grub to offer … Continue reading

Posted in birds | 5 Comments

Canada’s diversity

  Today, July 1st, marks Canada Day and the country’s 152nd birthday. Canadians value and celebrate diversity — by which they mean cultural diversity. However, some feel that the preservation of our species diversity merits a similar attention. This selection … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, commentary, fish, herptiles, mammals, weather | 7 Comments

June goulash

  This is a collection of images from June, none of which has had a posting of its own. The Cedar Waxwing breeds around here in the summer. This Eastern Kingbird feels the need to express its opinion. A Cedar … Continue reading

Posted in birds, mammals, weather | 4 Comments