tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38918207478024066242024-02-08T07:03:54.943-05:00 Paul Pratt's BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-46017609528866852262012-11-25T15:19:00.000-05:002012-11-25T15:30:58.254-05:00The Birder (filmed in part at Ojibway Park)<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1830037949/the-birder-finishing-funds/widget/video.html" frameborder="0"> </iframe>
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This movie was filmed in Windsor this fall, including the Ojibway Nature Centre and trails at Ojibway. Here is a link to the project on Kickstarter.com
<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1830037949/the-birder-finishing-funds">The Birder project</a>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-3396651445628700252011-10-08T14:52:00.000-04:002011-10-08T14:52:28.264-04:00Holiday Beach Migration Observatory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hB4Ge3mXkRg/TpCTadM9GUI/AAAAAAAAAuI/M8uCRuHrwQM/s1600/hawk-banding-demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hB4Ge3mXkRg/TpCTadM9GUI/AAAAAAAAAuI/M8uCRuHrwQM/s640/hawk-banding-demo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Hawk banding demonstration at Holiday Beach</div><br />
Each fall the Hawk Migration Festival is held over two weekends at Holiday Beach C.A. This year there were 5,476 Broad-winged Hawks recorded from the hawk viewing tower on the first day of the festival.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHs6jKxqaVM/TpCThKDBUMI/AAAAAAAAAuM/KpeLDnQfDfw/s1600/Broad-winged-Hawk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHs6jKxqaVM/TpCThKDBUMI/AAAAAAAAAuM/KpeLDnQfDfw/s640/Broad-winged-Hawk.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">immature Broad-winged Hawk circling over hawk watching tower</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmNjY499VsE/TpCT6TqiehI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/dhX5jbMGxys/s1600/GCTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmNjY499VsE/TpCT6TqiehI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/dhX5jbMGxys/s640/GCTH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">banded Gray-cheeked Thrush ready for release</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5gvfuLv-1o/TpCT9LQl-HI/AAAAAAAAAuU/LnaTo2rDzes/s1600/GCKI-skull.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5gvfuLv-1o/TpCT9LQl-HI/AAAAAAAAAuU/LnaTo2rDzes/s640/GCKI-skull.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The feathers of the head can be parted by blowing through a straw. The bander is looking to see if the skull is completely ossified. This male Golden-crowned Kinglet was photographed on October 6.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tGJvhh-SU2Y/TpCWeHwI3SI/AAAAAAAAAuc/kyYrdkx3Fhk/s1600/Orange-crowned-Warbler-2011_05_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tGJvhh-SU2Y/TpCWeHwI3SI/AAAAAAAAAuc/kyYrdkx3Fhk/s640/Orange-crowned-Warbler-2011_05_20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">male Orange-crowned Warbler (spring plumage). Early October is the best time to look for Orange-crowned Warblers. This species is scarce in the spring but relatively easy to find in the fall. Look for them in thickets, goldenrod meadows and shrubby edges.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-65682120508350559162011-10-03T22:23:00.003-04:002011-10-14T14:52:42.753-04:00Alberta Big DayI am trying to catch up and post a few things. Last May I went out to Alberta with Tom Hince. Our goal was to do a Big Day of birding and hopefully set a new record for Canada. We had done three previous big days in Alberta and last year we were only one species from tying the Canadian record of 214 species.<br />
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After a week of scouting and some great help from local birders we were ready to do our big day on June 1. We had a great start near Cold Lake and the nighttime hours passed quickly. In addition to owls there are lots of birds to look for in the hours before dawn. Our very first stop produced Lincoln's Sparrow, Nelson's Sparrow, LeConte's Sparrow, Wilson's Snipe, Mallard, Yellow Rail, Clay-colored Sparrow, Great Horned Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl and Sora. Warblers such as Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird and Connecticut regularly sing at night and we continued to pick up birds through the first hours of the day. By 4:00 am we had 50 species on our list and this grew to over 80 by sunrise. We had already driven over 240 km by this point. I won't go through the entire day but here are a few photos taken during the trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTJOLNvq5P0/ToVDUIsmx8I/AAAAAAAAAs4/GsZkbRmQBNA/s1600/northern-lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTJOLNvq5P0/ToVDUIsmx8I/AAAAAAAAAs4/GsZkbRmQBNA/s640/northern-lights.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A display of Northern Lights near Cold Lake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZpq7_jLHHo/ToVFHanWjNI/AAAAAAAAAtI/g6m6z96m_4E/s1600/Wilsons-Snipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZpq7_jLHHo/ToVFHanWjNI/AAAAAAAAAtI/g6m6z96m_4E/s640/Wilsons-Snipe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson's Snipe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWH8VHXWmL4/ToVDYYShylI/AAAAAAAAAs8/HC2fc90Hv4Q/s1600/Virginia-Rail-calling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HWH8VHXWmL4/ToVDYYShylI/AAAAAAAAAs8/HC2fc90Hv4Q/s640/Virginia-Rail-calling.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">calling Virginia Rail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FszV1sPSAS4/ToVEHj4zvII/AAAAAAAAAtA/JGhtj7J_YEM/s1600/sunrise-cold-lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FszV1sPSAS4/ToVEHj4zvII/AAAAAAAAAtA/JGhtj7J_YEM/s640/sunrise-cold-lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold Lake sunrise at 5 am</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22YLpH8nw40/ToVEa2ruMTI/AAAAAAAAAtE/BxxKvPjpB4c/s1600/Mourning-Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22YLpH8nw40/ToVEa2ruMTI/AAAAAAAAAtE/BxxKvPjpB4c/s640/Mourning-Warbler.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mourning Warbler</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDKVRgU9v64/ToVFdi9K51I/AAAAAAAAAtM/0WwAam7XcQQ/s1600/Lincolns-sparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDKVRgU9v64/ToVFdi9K51I/AAAAAAAAAtM/0WwAam7XcQQ/s640/Lincolns-sparrow.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln's Sparrow<br />
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At 6:00 am it was -1C and the list was up to 105 species. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoV0fWeGgH0/TopT7K0jGBI/AAAAAAAAAt0/Ec9Tr8N6TGc/s1600/Tom-scanning-Cold-Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoV0fWeGgH0/TopT7K0jGBI/AAAAAAAAAt0/Ec9Tr8N6TGc/s640/Tom-scanning-Cold-Lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
scanning Cold Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcEke7V47pc/TopRHFVp8BI/AAAAAAAAAtg/-IphCKNc5cM/s1600/dust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcEke7V47pc/TopRHFVp8BI/AAAAAAAAAtg/-IphCKNc5cM/s640/dust.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The northern part of the province was very dry this spring withbillowing dust from every passing vehicle.<br />
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</tbody></table> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpDvqBdKAsI/TopRINPoH7I/AAAAAAAAAtk/DOqW_R2d4DM/s1600/mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dpDvqBdKAsI/TopRINPoH7I/AAAAAAAAAtk/DOqW_R2d4DM/s640/mud.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The south was very wet and many backroads were not passable unless you had a vehicle with good ground clearance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGjLPpHCr48/TopREOcyI7I/AAAAAAAAAtc/pAuMHAswHxs/s1600/cows-on-road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGjLPpHCr48/TopREOcyI7I/AAAAAAAAAtc/pAuMHAswHxs/s640/cows-on-road.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not something you want to encounter on a Big Day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVLU74y0bsA/TopTDj5Lg0I/AAAAAAAAAts/wPYM9DuShik/s1600/Loggerhead-Shrike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVLU74y0bsA/TopTDj5Lg0I/AAAAAAAAAts/wPYM9DuShik/s640/Loggerhead-Shrike.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Loggerhead Shrike</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IX7YCZkCA74/ToVFoX2f0UI/AAAAAAAAAtU/mWZKnRaLtmY/s1600/Brewers-Sparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IX7YCZkCA74/ToVFoX2f0UI/AAAAAAAAAtU/mWZKnRaLtmY/s640/Brewers-Sparrow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewer's Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">We reached 200 species at 4:57 pm with the foothills and mountains still to come. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwUgmWP_RrY/TopUR5-OS3I/AAAAAAAAAt4/1FvOEloAvG0/s1600/mountains-in-evening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwUgmWP_RrY/TopUR5-OS3I/AAAAAAAAAt4/1FvOEloAvG0/s640/mountains-in-evening.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sofa Mountain. The wetland in the foreground is a good location for Fox Sparrow. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bw0Tx7LOjvA/TopUYlJO9VI/AAAAAAAAAt8/jL2vnWSNaaM/s1600/black-bear-eating-grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bw0Tx7LOjvA/TopUYlJO9VI/AAAAAAAAAt8/jL2vnWSNaaM/s640/black-bear-eating-grass.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another of the few photos taken during the big day was this Black Bear at Lower Waterton Lake.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bW8NXcIY6Es/TopUk2YyN0I/AAAAAAAAAuA/kUHIkexKhW8/s1600/Paul-1045pm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bW8NXcIY6Es/TopUk2YyN0I/AAAAAAAAAuA/kUHIkexKhW8/s640/Paul-1045pm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Number 218 for the Big Day was a Golden Eagle on its nest in Waterton Lakes National Park. Here I am at the end of the Cameron Lake Road about 10:30 pm., at the end of 1,280 km of travel for the day. Visit Tom Hince's blog for other photos from the trip.<br />
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</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-14067768066693592842011-05-15T23:57:00.000-04:002011-05-15T23:57:11.512-04:00Migrant traps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I usually head to Point Pelee National Park if I want to see lots of spring migrants but there are other places in the Windsor region that can be very productive for birding. One relatively unknown location is the Big O Conservation Area on the outskirts of Comber. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Woodlots are few and far between in this part of the county which is devoted to growing corn, soybeans and winter wheat. Woodland birds have very few choices on where to rest and search for food during migration and this small patch of swampy woodland can be full of migrant birds in May. This "migrant trap" was alive with birds last weekend yet I was the only birder present. Here are a few of the birds present that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8UF6YzltCE/TdCZ4h4hH2I/AAAAAAAAAsU/7gkZZ1dFY-k/s1600/Blue-headed-Vireo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8UF6YzltCE/TdCZ4h4hH2I/AAAAAAAAAsU/7gkZZ1dFY-k/s640/Blue-headed-Vireo.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blue-headed Vireo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8UF6YzltCE/TdCZ4h4hH2I/AAAAAAAAAsU/7gkZZ1dFY-k/s1600/Blue-headed-Vireo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YkqH_KFybrg/TdCZ8JYcP9I/AAAAAAAAAsY/0ekwazTg4ig/s1600/Yellow-rumped-Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YkqH_KFybrg/TdCZ8JYcP9I/AAAAAAAAAsY/0ekwazTg4ig/s640/Yellow-rumped-Warbler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YkqH_KFybrg/TdCZ8JYcP9I/AAAAAAAAAsY/0ekwazTg4ig/s1600/Yellow-rumped-Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KzgC7FU9kck/TdCZ3rUHIPI/AAAAAAAAAsM/ajduHhUFQyI/s1600/Bay-breasted-Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KzgC7FU9kck/TdCZ3rUHIPI/AAAAAAAAAsM/ajduHhUFQyI/s640/Bay-breasted-Warbler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Bay-breasted Warbler</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSrNbqv5rNU/TdCZ4LOjgYI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/J9WUa7dWEAc/s1600/Black-throated-Blue-Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSrNbqv5rNU/TdCZ4LOjgYI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/J9WUa7dWEAc/s640/Black-throated-Blue-Warbler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Black-throated Blue Warbler</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-51059632798356427442011-05-06T22:51:00.000-04:002011-05-06T22:51:23.745-04:00Rose-breasted Grosbeak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9pgKHyqP5a8/TcSyA8kJK9I/AAAAAAAAAsE/eMfvkttBr9k/s1600/IMG_9280-Rose-breasted-Grosbeak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9pgKHyqP5a8/TcSyA8kJK9I/AAAAAAAAAsE/eMfvkttBr9k/s640/IMG_9280-Rose-breasted-Grosbeak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
This Rose-breasted Grosbeak was waiting his turn at the feeder this evening. He looks cute but I saw one being banded yesterday and they are not meek and quiet like Blue Jays. They bite hard and bite often!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-36250700725786473622011-05-02T00:11:00.000-04:002011-05-02T00:11:14.668-04:00American Goldfinch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDHN2a3lHRw/Tb4rYNsFZjI/AAAAAAAAArQ/AAqMy4BR6pI/s1600/american-goldfinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDHN2a3lHRw/Tb4rYNsFZjI/AAAAAAAAArQ/AAqMy4BR6pI/s640/american-goldfinch.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
About 15 American Goldfinches were visiting the niger and oil seed feeders at home today. As a child I called them "wild canaries". They were one of the first birds I can recall identifying using a little pocket bird guide called The Blue Book of Birds of America.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-3107939878812735852011-04-30T21:35:00.000-04:002011-04-30T21:35:38.356-04:00A Purple Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RqtVJr5bhE/Tbyrs7eumFI/AAAAAAAAAq0/gb74SIisCwM/s1600/purple-dead-nettle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RqtVJr5bhE/Tbyrs7eumFI/AAAAAAAAAq0/gb74SIisCwM/s640/purple-dead-nettle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A friend in British Columbia mentioned a profusion of blooming <b>Purple Dead Nettle</b> in early April. Here in southern Ontario spring is not so far advance and it wasn't until today that I noticed my first Purple Dead Nettle while driving into the Tremblay Beach Conservation Area. One end of an old soybean field was covered in millions of tiny flowers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RqtVJr5bhE/Tbyrs7eumFI/AAAAAAAAAq0/gb74SIisCwM/s1600/purple-dead-nettle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XrBb2V3nudg/Tby2p0eLruI/AAAAAAAAAq8/EsTEitlCaFo/s1600/IMG_9186-Purple-Finch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XrBb2V3nudg/Tby2p0eLruI/AAAAAAAAAq8/EsTEitlCaFo/s640/IMG_9186-Purple-Finch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The other day I managed to get a photo of a female <b>Purple Finch</b> at my feeder. Today when I got home there were several Purple Finches at the feeder including this nice male.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-6805834772776473612011-04-28T00:19:00.001-04:002011-04-28T00:20:03.890-04:00Sparrow Field at Point Pelee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywog6rEc8BM/TbjloODz1VI/AAAAAAAAAqk/CGhMu1mPoa4/s1600/entrance-to-sparrow-field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywog6rEc8BM/TbjloODz1VI/AAAAAAAAAqk/CGhMu1mPoa4/s400/entrance-to-sparrow-field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trail to Sparrow Field in Point Pelee on April 27, 2011. Lots of spring migrants present today in the tip area but very few birders due to the rainy weather. The newly cleared portion of the Sparrow Field should be excellent for birding this spring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaTTL14IGDM/TbjldiPZdwI/AAAAAAAAAqg/ckkyEeOkyAk/s1600/to-sparrow-field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaTTL14IGDM/TbjldiPZdwI/AAAAAAAAAqg/ckkyEeOkyAk/s400/to-sparrow-field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Entrance into Sparrow Field looking east. Now there is a new loop trail around the clearing with access from the main road and east beach. Palm Warbler, Purple Finch, Field and Chipping Sparrow were present today. Here is an image of a female Purple Finch I took at home this evening. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MmaY-5h9CEE/Tbjo0NwM_EI/AAAAAAAAAqs/7sUYS3FRe1Q/s1600/IMG_9138-Purple-Finch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MmaY-5h9CEE/Tbjo0NwM_EI/AAAAAAAAAqs/7sUYS3FRe1Q/s640/IMG_9138-Purple-Finch.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-71065135651299631492011-04-03T15:14:00.002-04:002011-04-27T23:47:54.230-04:00Parking lot birding at Point Pelee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ny66v98bdBs/TZjD3IFCi_I/AAAAAAAAAoI/g8Aav69yrhA/s1600/trail-to-Sparrow-Field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ny66v98bdBs/TZjD3IFCi_I/AAAAAAAAAoI/g8Aav69yrhA/s400/trail-to-Sparrow-Field.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Trail to the Sparrow Field in Point Pelee National Park, 6 March 2011. The good news this spring is that the park will be brush cutting the overgrown "sparrow field" and managing it as a clearing. </div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KiBuY2DRhX0/TZjD3zSi0gI/AAAAAAAAAoM/0QMImae4AtM/s1600/VC-parking-lot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KiBuY2DRhX0/TZjD3zSi0gI/AAAAAAAAAoM/0QMImae4AtM/s400/VC-parking-lot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Point Pelee Parking lot in March</div><br />
The snow has melted and soon Point Pelee will be attracting large numbers of birds and birders. Here are a few unusual species that I spotted in the parking lot last May.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uz6IbyXz48Y/TZjFj70DiMI/AAAAAAAAApE/_IbRiI_e43E/s1600/OWLERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uz6IbyXz48Y/TZjFj70DiMI/AAAAAAAAApE/_IbRiI_e43E/s200/OWLERS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2maX3GCci8o/TZjFmnVwStI/AAAAAAAAApY/Q3loSR8vmts/s1600/WADERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2maX3GCci8o/TZjFmnVwStI/AAAAAAAAApY/Q3loSR8vmts/s200/WADERS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xXxJ5z_XrpU/TZjFl-eDcBI/AAAAAAAAApQ/UIiCiiy-jho/s1600/PUFFINUS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xXxJ5z_XrpU/TZjFl-eDcBI/AAAAAAAAApQ/UIiCiiy-jho/s200/PUFFINUS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5YmjNSUhp4/TZjFavlnSkI/AAAAAAAAAoo/1RUtp4lZ1Qg/s1600/CAT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5YmjNSUhp4/TZjFavlnSkI/AAAAAAAAAoo/1RUtp4lZ1Qg/s200/CAT.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-baHoZOIg8eI/TZjI-3r--UI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/cHSEuOKs1OM/s1600/2BIRDERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-baHoZOIg8eI/TZjI-3r--UI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/cHSEuOKs1OM/s200/2BIRDERS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5puEhI3fPKM/TZjFXsxwLiI/AAAAAAAAAoU/sxul4vsfwdM/s1600/2-PELEE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5puEhI3fPKM/TZjFXsxwLiI/AAAAAAAAAoU/sxul4vsfwdM/s200/2-PELEE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyaGsGhb2Ao/TZjFlnnxWlI/AAAAAAAAApM/KrXFjYEHSxM/s1600/PELEE-I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QyaGsGhb2Ao/TZjFlnnxWlI/AAAAAAAAApM/KrXFjYEHSxM/s200/PELEE-I.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGZBJ_w_2o4/TZjHJJkhq1I/AAAAAAAAApk/VmfTsMANl88/s1600/BRDS-ALGONQUIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IGZBJ_w_2o4/TZjHJJkhq1I/AAAAAAAAApk/VmfTsMANl88/s200/BRDS-ALGONQUIN.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytJ6kvP5FJo/TZjHQfpvPLI/AAAAAAAAApo/hhqbgPsp_S0/s1600/SUNBIRDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytJ6kvP5FJo/TZjHQfpvPLI/AAAAAAAAApo/hhqbgPsp_S0/s200/SUNBIRDR.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1cb73kW2g8/TZjIs69lS9I/AAAAAAAAAqM/XToxpHhv8D8/s1600/3-STORKS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1cb73kW2g8/TZjIs69lS9I/AAAAAAAAAqM/XToxpHhv8D8/s200/3-STORKS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WYhDjs9r3iM/TZjHZ9Z-52I/AAAAAAAAAps/4BFePO6nZC8/s1600/ERYRI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WYhDjs9r3iM/TZjHZ9Z-52I/AAAAAAAAAps/4BFePO6nZC8/s200/ERYRI.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4lJFRFDt7o/TZjHaJXyS4I/AAAAAAAAApw/PDBrSSJHiZ0/s1600/KESTRL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O4lJFRFDt7o/TZjHaJXyS4I/AAAAAAAAApw/PDBrSSJHiZ0/s200/KESTRL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPZLweOe3SY/TZjHrij27SI/AAAAAAAAAp0/1c3hKAse5k0/s1600/CHCKADEE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPZLweOe3SY/TZjHrij27SI/AAAAAAAAAp0/1c3hKAse5k0/s200/CHCKADEE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Phd2P6q2dpY/TZjHsOic0SI/AAAAAAAAAp4/zo5vhgwF5s4/s1600/CHIKADDD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Phd2P6q2dpY/TZjHsOic0SI/AAAAAAAAAp4/zo5vhgwF5s4/s200/CHIKADDD.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOPLDMa7Xhw/TZjH31fxpBI/AAAAAAAAAp8/n6hGvnS8cT4/s1600/I-4BIRDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOPLDMa7Xhw/TZjH31fxpBI/AAAAAAAAAp8/n6hGvnS8cT4/s200/I-4BIRDS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEnZOk0h4wk/TZjIL3tuOQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/bf26Sim5kg0/s1600/GNBIRDING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vEnZOk0h4wk/TZjIL3tuOQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/bf26Sim5kg0/s200/GNBIRDING.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEdUqDrBFiY/TbjjFphWGYI/AAAAAAAAAqY/WKaI0nNGEqA/s1600/IMG_0567-plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEdUqDrBFiY/TbjjFphWGYI/AAAAAAAAAqY/WKaI0nNGEqA/s200/IMG_0567-plate.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n2-vDnxjE3s/TZjIMW7l0CI/AAAAAAAAAqI/YDy2T1yWZ04/s1600/PARULA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n2-vDnxjE3s/TZjIMW7l0CI/AAAAAAAAAqI/YDy2T1yWZ04/s200/PARULA.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKVwX-Qyaag/TZjILo4bg2I/AAAAAAAAAqA/9y6GDFJnhBA/s1600/B-BZZZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKVwX-Qyaag/TZjILo4bg2I/AAAAAAAAAqA/9y6GDFJnhBA/s200/B-BZZZ.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-26126097213920333532011-03-14T00:45:00.001-04:002011-03-17T00:30:04.635-04:00Poop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Australia introduced several species of dung beetles from South Africa in an effort to deal with a big poop problem, cattle dung. Australia's infamous bush fly population exploded with the introduction of cattle. There was no native Australian mammal that produced such large droppings and therefore no native beetles to feed on these large "meadow muffins". The introduced beetles eventually reduced the bush fly population by 90 percent! (I don't think I could have birded Australia when the bush fly population was at its peak. Even at 10 percent they occasionally drove me crazy)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The large number of African Elephants in Kruger National Park leave a substantial amount of poop laying about (+1,200 tons per day). We noticed the piles of dung on the roads well before we saw our first elephant. </div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rYO1KzkY8lE/TX2J2G9zHkI/AAAAAAAAAn8/xBmlrOZP9Ik/s1600/IMG_6147young-elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rYO1KzkY8lE/TX2J2G9zHkI/AAAAAAAAAn8/xBmlrOZP9Ik/s400/IMG_6147young-elephant.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In addition to the insects that specialize in this coprophilous habit there are also birds and mammals that poke around the droppings looking for tasty treats. Here are a few we found while birding the park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills were frequently seen at elephant dung.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6rDL8ejGGqk/TX2J22YzY-I/AAAAAAAAAoA/-TtBob1dDuQ/s1600/IMG_6681-hornbill-at-dung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6rDL8ejGGqk/TX2J22YzY-I/AAAAAAAAAoA/-TtBob1dDuQ/s320/IMG_6681-hornbill-at-dung.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This female Vervet Monkey found a quick snack under a lump of elephant dung. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GAAvV40sBXM/TX2JznOrBNI/AAAAAAAAAns/jhx-NyfW4q4/s1600/IMG_6134-vervet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GAAvV40sBXM/TX2JznOrBNI/AAAAAAAAAns/jhx-NyfW4q4/s400/IMG_6134-vervet1.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yum! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-54768267459176162842011-02-08T00:47:00.001-05:002011-02-13T22:52:49.721-05:00Winter birding in Essex CountyI visit Point Pelee throughout the year. There may not be as many birds present during the winter but Pelee is always good for a surprise or two and few birders visit the park at this time of year. This past Saturday we saw over 160 American Robins at the tip and on the prior trip we had 14 Bald Eagles along the East Beach.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDJF96UsgI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/5NitO3jNjfo/s1600/0358-east-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDJF96UsgI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/5NitO3jNjfo/s400/0358-east-beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDJNiudeCI/AAAAAAAAAmU/hrl7EebwvTo/s1600/IMG_0364-tip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDJNiudeCI/AAAAAAAAAmU/hrl7EebwvTo/s400/IMG_0364-tip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDJVOdpmXI/AAAAAAAAAmY/bneFnmEJqhw/s1600/0363-tip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDJVOdpmXI/AAAAAAAAAmY/bneFnmEJqhw/s400/0363-tip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">View from the tip, January 8, 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDJd2LkdEI/AAAAAAAAAmc/ah9PP6SaCVs/s1600/0392-tip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDJd2LkdEI/AAAAAAAAAmc/ah9PP6SaCVs/s400/0392-tip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The tip on February 5, 2011</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDK0eTCOtI/AAAAAAAAAmk/wYLV24wNC4A/s1600/0394-marsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDK0eTCOtI/AAAAAAAAAmk/wYLV24wNC4A/s400/0394-marsh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>A "Drift of Buntings"</b></div><br />
On Sunday I helped banders from the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory band Snow Buntings and Horned Larks in Harrow. This is part of a project by Oliver Love who is conducting research looking to understand the cause of a 60 percent decline in the Snow Bunting population over the past 40 years.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDNe96N2bI/AAAAAAAAAms/XHl3bqWlcDw/s1600/male-Snow-Bunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDNe96N2bI/AAAAAAAAAms/XHl3bqWlcDw/s400/male-Snow-Bunting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a male Snow Bunting. Females have much more black in the wing. The brownish tips of the feathers will wear off by the spring and the bill will turn black. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiAQVGeE_1E/TVim3FEHddI/AAAAAAAAAm8/RIKw0oXmdDI/s1600/female-Snow-Bunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiAQVGeE_1E/TVim3FEHddI/AAAAAAAAAm8/RIKw0oXmdDI/s400/female-Snow-Bunting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">female Snow Bunting</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDNfz5a3FI/AAAAAAAAAm0/E5HB_X4krZA/s1600/Snow-Bunting-toes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDNfz5a3FI/AAAAAAAAAm0/E5HB_X4krZA/s400/Snow-Bunting-toes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The genus name of Snow Bunting is <i>Plectrophenax</i>. The Greek word "plektron" means a claw-like tool used to play a string instrument and it is similar to the Snow Bunting's long hind claw. Buntings banded during the winter in Southern Ontario have been relocated as breeding birds in Western Greenland.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDNfRj2fUI/AAAAAAAAAmw/6cx01TPoHek/s1600/Northern-Horned-Lark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TVDNfRj2fUI/AAAAAAAAAmw/6cx01TPoHek/s400/Northern-Horned-Lark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Horned Lark</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-40543759103158147502011-01-24T23:25:00.002-05:002011-01-25T00:27:33.364-05:00Images from Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5HNadod1I/AAAAAAAAAkk/rzPwqsFV9mw/s1600/cairns-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5HNadod1I/AAAAAAAAAkk/rzPwqsFV9mw/s400/cairns-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It is winter here in Ontario but mid summer in Australia. I am planning to return there later this year and I have been going through a few of my photos from past trips. Here are a few of my favourites.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5IKEjzY6I/AAAAAAAAAks/fZ91DOiqYnc/s1600/sheep-willie-wagtail10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5IKEjzY6I/AAAAAAAAAks/fZ91DOiqYnc/s400/sheep-willie-wagtail10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Willie Wagtails were often seen hunting insects flushed by livestock.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5JDRQqHrI/AAAAAAAAAk0/nuErWlB_v3w/s1600/Apostlebird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5JDRQqHrI/AAAAAAAAAk0/nuErWlB_v3w/s400/Apostlebird.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apostlebirds are found in noisy parties of a dozen or so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5JFXMeUkI/AAAAAAAAAk8/2RiJuJ0me_Y/s1600/s-c_cockatoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5JFXMeUkI/AAAAAAAAAk8/2RiJuJ0me_Y/s320/s-c_cockatoo.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This noisy Sulphur-crested Cockatoo tried stealing our french fries in Royal National Park. Australia has an amazing variety of parrots. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5JEAqI7QI/AAAAAAAAAk4/kIiuZjGq10k/s1600/Red-tailed-Black-Cockatoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5JEAqI7QI/AAAAAAAAAk4/kIiuZjGq10k/s400/Red-tailed-Black-Cockatoo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">One of my more memorable moments in birding the interior part of northern Queensland was coming across a large flock of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos as they slowly drifted through the open forest. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5Nzepyi7I/AAAAAAAAAlE/SfwjfhtOYAQ/s1600/cassowary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5Nzepyi7I/AAAAAAAAAlE/SfwjfhtOYAQ/s400/cassowary.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This Southern Cassowary stuck its head through a window in order to steal fruit off the kitchen counter!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5NzrCF75I/AAAAAAAAAlI/yfq6W173D8c/s1600/frogmouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5NzrCF75I/AAAAAAAAAlI/yfq6W173D8c/s320/frogmouth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> A Tawny Frogmouth in concealment posture. There is a small chick in the nest.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The bird life is spectacular but the plants, and other wildlife received a lot of attention. </div><div><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5PG40UAcI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/H3xRKf0PceQ/s1600/comon-king-spider-orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5PG40UAcI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/H3xRKf0PceQ/s400/comon-king-spider-orchid.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> The King Spider Orchid releases a scent that attracts male thynnid wasps. The wasps pollinate the flower when they try to mate with the flower's conspicuous lip.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5PHVQno3I/AAAAAAAAAlU/vGO-Nr8ar9A/s1600/jewel-spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5PHVQno3I/AAAAAAAAAlU/vGO-Nr8ar9A/s320/jewel-spider.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A Jewel Spider (sometimes called Christmas Spider)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5QTbJmJNI/AAAAAAAAAlc/agECQA8DCUY/s1600/cane-toad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5QTbJmJNI/AAAAAAAAAlc/agECQA8DCUY/s320/cane-toad.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Cane Toads were introduced to Australia with disastrous results. They are now very common and spreading in the north-east. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5QUAChf9I/AAAAAAAAAlg/eN4MezZ5Iug/s1600/paul%2526python.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5QUAChf9I/AAAAAAAAAlg/eN4MezZ5Iug/s320/paul%2526python.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Australia likes to boast about all their venomous critters but this Carpet Python, although an impressive size, was otherwise harmless.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5SSTjAOUI/AAAAAAAAAlo/a0xdkgzxOao/s1600/dragon-post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5SSTjAOUI/AAAAAAAAAlo/a0xdkgzxOao/s400/dragon-post.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br />
Driving into the beautiful Capertee Valley we spotted a lump on a post.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5STo7tSCI/AAAAAAAAAls/u7KHeZwfV6k/s1600/dragon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5STo7tSCI/AAAAAAAAAls/u7KHeZwfV6k/s400/dragon1.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />
When I tried to touch this lump the Bearded Dragon flared its spiny hood and looked ready to bite! I didn't disturb the lizard any further.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5SUAhQ5vI/AAAAAAAAAlw/vYz6bFqWINA/s1600/shingleback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5SUAhQ5vI/AAAAAAAAAlw/vYz6bFqWINA/s400/shingleback.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This Shingleback Skink also gaped when approached but added to the defence posture by sticking out its blue tongue. This display is just for show as they rarely bite.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5VGL-sq_I/AAAAAAAAAl4/c7X-yexrXtI/s1600/agile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TT5VGL-sq_I/AAAAAAAAAl4/c7X-yexrXtI/s400/agile.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br />
Koalas, kangaroos, wombats, gliders, possums, bandicoots and other marsupials are another distinctive feature of Australia. This Agile Wallaby was photographed in Mt. Carbine, Queensland.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-6829350350549761392010-12-22T00:19:00.000-05:002010-12-22T00:19:15.480-05:00Christmas Bird Counts<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TRGCFI5Uy9I/AAAAAAAAAkM/8JDt7fOipoU/s1600/For-the-Birds-Woodlot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TRGCFI5Uy9I/AAAAAAAAAkM/8JDt7fOipoU/s640/For-the-Birds-Woodlot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For-The-Birds Woodlot<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">I spent Saturday searching for birds in the vicinity of Harrow and visited sites such as the For-The-Birds Woodlot pictured above. I have been participating in this Cedar Creek Christmas Bird Count for 24 of its 25 year history. I like this count. It started as an American Crow count due to the large number of crows that would descend on the town of Essex each winter. At its peak ten years ago we recorded over 117,000 birds, making it the crow capital of Canada. This year the roost failed to develop and apparently the birds have moved to the city of Chatham. The next morning as I drove to Rondeau Provincial Park for another bird count I encountered thousands and thousands of crows along Highway 401 between the Tilbury and Chatham interchanges. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TRGIQzzWCMI/AAAAAAAAAkU/OlxaYQV3cv4/s1600/Savannah-Sparrow2010-12-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TRGIQzzWCMI/AAAAAAAAAkU/OlxaYQV3cv4/s320/Savannah-Sparrow2010-12-18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Two Savannah Sparrows were a nice find on the count. They were feeding on the edge of a road where the snow had been scraped away from the shoulder exposing dirt, grass and a few weeds. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-91241997124649077722010-11-24T00:05:00.001-05:002010-11-24T11:07:04.886-05:00A late hummingbirdUsually, when I see a new bird for my Ontario list I'm thrilled and happy to tell everyone about the encounter but this time that didn't happen. You see I didn't get a chance to share this sighting with my friends and only a very few people got to see the bird. Normally when someone finds a very rare bird the sighting is posted on ONTBIRDS (or similar listserv) which gives many people a chance to look for the bird. In this case the bird departed before the identity was established.<br />
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I'm always interested in any local records of hummingbirds after mid October when most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have left the region. While there are records of Ruby-throats as late as November 26 in Michigan there is a higher probability that a late hummingbird might be a different species. For example a hummingbird that appeared at a feeder in Kingsville on 18 November 2007 turned out to be an adult female Rufous Hummingbird. It remained at the feeder to December 1. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TOyGXPFZGjI/AAAAAAAAAiE/qsMMJTLE-3w/s1600/Rufous+Hummingbird_112207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TOyGXPFZGjI/AAAAAAAAAiE/qsMMJTLE-3w/s400/Rufous+Hummingbird_112207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rufous Hummingbird, Kingsville, ON, November 22, 2007</div><br />
On October 30, 2010 I learned of a hummingbird coming to Tom & Peggy Hurst's feeder in Cottam, ON. After watching it for a while I decided it would be a good idea to come back the next day and get some more photos as there was talk of an Anna's Hummingbird that had just shown up in the UP of Michigan and this bird was not a typical plumaged Ruby-throat. We hoped it might be an Anna's Hummingbird but I hadn't seen an Anna's for several years and wanted to examine my photos and check some references before getting too excited. Unfortunately the bird never returned to the feeder. The few pictures that I digiscoped with a point-and-shoot camera were eventually sent away to hummingbird banders for an expert opinion. Both Sheri Williamson in Arizona and Bob Sargent in Alabama confirmed that this was an Anna's Hummingbird.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TOyJolKfRzI/AAAAAAAAAiM/yorvS_m902c/s1600/P1030249-hummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TOyJolKfRzI/AAAAAAAAAiM/yorvS_m902c/s400/P1030249-hummer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TOyJolKfRzI/AAAAAAAAAiM/yorvS_m902c/s1600/P1030249-hummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Anna's Hummingbird, Cottam, ON, October 30, 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the first record of Anna's Hummingbird for the province of Ontario. This species also appeared in Grand Maris, Michigan (2), Saylorville, Iowa and Val-d"Espoir, Quebec this fall. The differences between female/immature plumaged Anna's and Ruby-throated are subtle. The bird above shows dingy dusky flanks with some green spotting, a straight bill and thick neck. The loral pattern is also different from Ruby-throat with a pale eyebrow, blackish spot in front of the eye and indistinct pale grayish wash behind the eye. Visible in the photo below is a distinct patch of dark spotting on the throat which is a normal pattern for female Anna's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TOyQbKZgDII/AAAAAAAAAiU/nC6-spntY1A/s1600/P1030253-hummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TOyQbKZgDII/AAAAAAAAAiU/nC6-spntY1A/s400/P1030253-hummer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the Great Lakes region it is a good idea to keep hummingbird feeders up and supplied with sugar water until the snow flies! Species such as Rufous and Anna's Hummingbirds are quite tolerant of cold weather and capable of surviving freezing temperatures. If you are lucky enough to have a hummingbird appear at your feeder please report it immediately to your local birding hotline. My number is 519-966-5852. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-5963527250321322072010-10-15T00:02:00.001-04:002010-10-15T00:04:59.762-04:00Gray JayI first heard about an irruption of Gray Jays back in September and since that time I heard of reports from Lake Superior east to the Ottawa region. On October 9 we came across the Gray Jay pictured below along a back road seven km NE of Burk's Falls, ON. The bird was a first-year individual based on the ratty pointy-shaped tail feathers. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">The fall colours have changed since the post of two weeks ago. A brief cold spell with frost put an end to much of the colour derived from the brightly coloured maples and now the yellows of aspens and tamaracks are dominant.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #000048; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Tamarack (American Larch) stand, October 9, 2010</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-59895410047936931572010-09-29T00:23:00.000-04:002010-09-29T00:23:57.732-04:00Fall ColoursFall colours were dazzling this past weekend north of Huntsville, Ontario. It has been a long time since I explored this region during the peak of fall colour. This Red Maple was photographed along the river above the village of Burk's Falls.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Highway 11, Burk's Falls, Ontario</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TKK30hekWJI/AAAAAAAAAfs/iNS0_k1BX8U/s1600/8617-Hwy-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TKK30hekWJI/AAAAAAAAAfs/iNS0_k1BX8U/s400/8617-Hwy-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-85353269374329003512010-09-18T16:27:00.000-04:002010-09-18T16:27:23.143-04:00Southern SkyNow that I am home again it is time to sort all the photos that were taken in South Africa and post a few of my favourite images. One thing that I did not do on the trip was spend enough time at night observing the splendours of the southern hemisphere sky. Some of the finest celestial objects cannot be seen from Canada and they are well worth the effort to stay up at night, even after a long day of birding.<br />
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Here is an image taken on the lawn of the Kruisa Moya Nature Lodge showing the Milky Way with the Southern Cross low near the horizon. The dark CoalSack Nebula (or head of the Emu in Australia) lies along the upper left side of the Southern Cross. (image taken with a Canon 5D MarkII and 20 mm lens)<br />
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Off to the left of this view lies one of the most spectacular globular clusters, the size of a full moon, known as 47 Tucanae (containing millions of stars) and the Small Magellanic Cloud (a close dwarf galaxy). Below is an image taken with a 100mm lens.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">47 Tuc and SMC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-44240622671579624772010-08-24T16:21:00.000-04:002010-08-24T16:19:29.085-04:00Cape Dwarf ChameleonEver since I arrived in South Africa I have kept an eye out for a chameleon. I wanted to see the turret-like eyes, grasping toes, and cryptic colors of a wild individual. After scanning countless bushes for three weeks my quest for a chameleon was finally fulfilled this afternoon. I spotted this beautiful male chameleon basking in a small tree on the grounds of the Afton Grove Retreat where we are staying just outside of Cape Town. The owner had told me his grandson had seen a chameleon in the garden which served as an incentive to check the gardens several times during our stay here. I was glad I persevered. <p>Sent from my iPadUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-83435136433340326052010-08-24T15:53:00.002-04:002010-09-18T14:57:15.821-04:00Cape Dwarf Chameleon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TJULZ7S6R_I/AAAAAAAAAe0/X_aaE2yYrKM/s1600/7116cdchameleon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/TJULZ7S6R_I/AAAAAAAAAe0/X_aaE2yYrKM/s400/7116cdchameleon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="mobile-photo"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-84102255361883423502010-08-23T16:40:00.000-04:002010-08-23T16:39:00.378-04:00A few birdsKruger National Park isn't just for big game. I was overwhelmed with all the new birds we found. Of course it was a big help to be birding with Tom Hince as he has birded South Africa on several prior occasions and knows the birds very well. I posted a few bird photos below. <p>Lilac-breasted Roller is a common and conspicuous bird in the park. Its colours are simply amazing. Even starlings here are gorgeous. We saw four species with iridescent plumage and two species of oxpeckers. The finfoot is much harder to find and we were fortunate to find this lone bird while birding from a bridge.<br> <br>I hoped to see hornbills on the trip and we were lucky to see all six species in a single day. The Yellow-billed is the most common hornbill in the park. It seems to have a fondness for picking through elephant poop. Mousebirds were another new bird family for me. They are fairly conspicuous as they travel around in small flocks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-67682063107602359372010-08-23T16:11:00.000-04:002010-08-23T16:10:17.891-04:00Lilac-breasted Roller<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLVqT7av1I/AAAAAAAAAeI/jcSktm7RtUI/s1600/photo-717894.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLVqT7av1I/AAAAAAAAAeI/jcSktm7RtUI/s320/photo-717894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508700217108250450" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-63619439581803672722010-08-23T16:09:00.000-04:002010-08-23T16:08:13.860-04:00African Finfoot<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLVLign_HI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Us4ZX4UjBuk/s1600/photo-793863.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLVLign_HI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Us4ZX4UjBuk/s320/photo-793863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508699688446458994" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-18777707598805383912010-08-23T16:08:00.000-04:002010-08-23T16:07:14.382-04:00Cape Glossy Starling<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLU8lwbDnI/AAAAAAAAAd4/nWBNrY6ZDr8/s1600/photo-734384.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLU8lwbDnI/AAAAAAAAAd4/nWBNrY6ZDr8/s320/photo-734384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508699431619989106" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-37623440556219957062010-08-23T16:07:00.000-04:002010-08-23T16:06:01.340-04:00Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLUqTN30cI/AAAAAAAAAdw/dPI4w9vxf60/s1600/photo-761342.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLUqTN30cI/AAAAAAAAAdw/dPI4w9vxf60/s320/photo-761342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508699117405589954" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891820747802406624.post-28047171826968695582010-08-23T16:06:00.000-04:002010-08-23T16:05:04.880-04:00Burchell's Coucal<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLUcXjHO4I/AAAAAAAAAdo/LKfv9RTlgDo/s1600/photo-704883.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyZsxk3o1Rc/THLUcXjHO4I/AAAAAAAAAdo/LKfv9RTlgDo/s320/photo-704883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508698878050253698" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0