I'll call it fate
March 1st, 2010
The Ottawa Field-Naturalists are doing a four-day birding trip to Point Pelee this May. Spring migration at Point Pelee is famous. It's one of the best spots for it in all North America. I've never been there before.
I called today and:
- Every single spot is taken--except one. (I had no idea it would fill up so
fast. Okay, so they warned me "reserve early to avoid disappointment", but I
thought they were just, you know, saying that.)
- The one remaining spot requires me to stay in a single-occupancy hotel
room for the duration, resulting in a trip cost of approximately $900 instead
of $450. Aiieee!
- I have a big wad of unspent gift money from last Christmas+birthday that just about totals the above.
February Goldeneyes
February 28th, 2010
The Rideau continues to support good numbers of Common Goldeneye, and, as with the neighboring Mallards, courtship is in full swing.
The juvenile male, second from the left, is doing a classic goldeneye showoff for the ladies: neck arched back, feet simultaneously kicking at the water.
Note the two oddballs in this picture: The male about 3/5 of the way to the right, with the dollop-shaped (instead of round) cheek patch and the spotted shoulder stripe, is a Barrow's Goldeneye--a rare species in the east, but one which winters in Ottawa each year in very small numbers (1-4). The redheaded duck in the upper left is a Common Merganser.
Eventually the females get interested, at which point they start doing the funky head motions too :-)
The wintering goldeneyes are easy to find, if you ever want to watch these fascinating ducks for yourself. Take a bus or drive to where Rideau Street crosses the river (Cummings Bridge), then walk south--preferably with binoculars! There are also usually some of them at Billings Bridge park.
Memories Of Green
February 27th, 2010
It's that time again...the time when I pull out some summery leftovers (actually they're from October, but you can pretend!) to tide us over until spring comes. These are all from Andrew Haydon Park.
Winter Downy
February 26th, 2010
Spotted this male Downy Woodpecker along the Rideau River on Monday.
After awhile a second male came along, and a territorial dispute ensued. This part was hard to photograph--the skirmishes were fast and furious!
Another sign of spring
February 25th, 2010
I found this adorable Meadow Vole beside the walkway from Hurdman Station to Riverside. I presume it was our mild, thawy weather that coaxed him out of his snow tunnels to forage for food.
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Winter Mallards
February 24th, 2010
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I like female Mallards. They always look so satisfied about life.
Love is in the air
February 23rd, 2010
Chickadees are singing. House Finches are singing. Pigeons are locking bills on my front balcony.
And out on the rivers, mallards are courting like crazy.
It was an overcast morning on the Ottawa River when I found upward of twenty male mallards milling excitedly about a lone female--presumably an as-yet-unattached female--whistling and displaying. The activity seemed to happen in bursts. All would be quiet for ten seconds or so, then a sudden spate of whistling, frenzied swimming and neck-arching. I managed to capture one of the bursts in the picture above, where four of them were sounding off at once. The rather unimpressed-looking female is on the right.
I've watched mallards mate a number of times, and each time, it's the same ritual. First the pair swim alongside each other, heads bobbing up and down. Then he mounts, taking her by the nape. After it's over and the female is shaking herself out, the male lowers his head to the water and swims around her in circles, as if saying "wheeeee I did it I did it I did it!" It's so sweet.
I took these on the Rideau. They came out very dark (backlit), but then again, that seems appropriate somehow!
The Intruder
February 2nd, 2010
Top Of The Morning
January 25th, 2010
Sometimes the time of year, time of day, conditions and location all conspire to give you the most magical lighting. Everything takes on a new glamor. So it was yesterday morning with this White-Breasted Nuthatch.
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Peeking Out
January 24th, 2010
Found this Ruffed Grouse along Old Quarry Trail this morning, and successfully tracked him through deep snow for a picture. This is a fairly common species in Ottawa, though elusive. The Stony Swamp trails are a good place to find them.
Also, they look cute when they walk.
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