A lifer for me this 2022, a Long-eared owl roosting in a pine tree in Ontario, Canada- photo taken with telephoto lens to keep ethical distance, also cropped for composition
#longearedowl
#owls
#birding
#lifer
#ontarioowls
No it's not irruption year; yes I still get lots of snowies-- lucky & grateful to live in an area that gets them each winter; they've taught me to love winter again; each has a different look & personality; hope you enjoy the clips! <3
#birding
#snowyowl
#sparkbird
#birdwatching
When you're at red light, notice a new snowy owl on pole , pull over safely & it lands on a fence post beside your car hunting!! this happened..so quickly at sunset (but was cloudy).. amazing moments this winter so far; so glad I had camera w/ me
#snowyowl
#birding
#birdwatching
The bird that most often nearly gives me a heart attack while out walking trails, or while driving has got to be the the Ruffed grouse, but on this day, I had a calm one that cooperated for video & photos as it went from tree to tree eating
#birding
#ruffedgrouse
#5MRbirding
This beauty of a boy went off into the wild last night at dusk, such amazing creatures! Such a short time of their life is spent in this form, and they are gorgeous!!
#cecropiamoth
#cecropia
#raisingmoths
#moths
Oh my fricking god! I didn't have time to run for my camera. Thank goodness I had my phone, this is the young coop that comes to my yard every few days, it's been getting closer and more comfortable each time.
#coopershawk
#birding
#backyardbirds
Mobbing behaviour demonstrated by Black Capped Chickadees & White Breasted Nuthatches; you can hear their alarm calls as the owl sits still to "blend in" -It'll start with a few birds alerting the environment to a predator, then more come- a great way to find owls!
#birding
Northern Hawk Owl in the morning sun; so happy I got to observe; was a lifer today for me. An absolutely amazing experience to see in person, let alone be able to photograph, so happy, what a gem!
#northernhawkowl
#ontario
#birding
#raptors
#owls
Had a beautiful snowy owl acting as tree topper in Dufferin County after sunset the other night; couldn't resist a few shots; even in low light, the post sunset cotton candy skies were gorgeous
#birding
#birdwatching
#snowyowl
#ontario
On side of road with a turkey vulture. He's been hit and people just kept driving by. Waiting on another birder to get here to we can take it to get help as I'm working
Spent time with this cutie in the early morning sun; it was such a cold morning; behind her was the sun and there was a huge sundog..it really was a neat moment; she looked like the bullseye in the middle which is how i saw her when looking down a road
#snowyowl
Today I was able to accomplish a goal set a year ago after seeing one last year on this exact post but not having the right gear to photograph... so happy to capture this moment with a
#snowyowl
#ontario
#birding
#wellingtoncounty
Nuthatches know me well now, they crawl all over me, perch on my shoulder, phone, camera lens..even when no food. Sweet sweet yesterday arvo didn't like last peanut in my hand..he picked it up played w/ it, decided nope, grabbed my finger & tugged on it for more, cheeky boy.
Challenging AM, 2 locations,warblers stayed up high or shade/light contrast was bad (needed overcast..but sun came out) managed to salvage probably the best American Redstart photo I've had yet, love these lil dudes
#warblers
#americanredstart
#dufferincounty
#ontario
#birding
Tomorrow morning will be assisting Kahlua in crossing the rainbow bridge with dignity. It's time. So lucky to have had her in my life for 12 years. My heart is breaking but I need to be strong for her.
This
#barredowl
was on the hunt; shortly after taking this photo it flew off to another tree, then dove into the snow; I got to watch it mantle, foot something..then carry it off; it looked like a vole; then it returned to repeat
#birding
#owls
#dufferincounty
#ontario
As a female birder I have been hit on online by other male birders, had things said to me, and in person not had my bird iD's or facts accepted in a group setting/online Facebook group, but the iD was later given by a man, and then it was accepted. The countless mansplaining too.
We all start somewhere; I took this photo entering 2017; older camera; older lens and almost no snowy owl experience; comparing to what I photograph now...mind blowing what two years difference makes BUT! THIS IS STILL ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MOMENTS EVER! <3
#birding
Pictures of "big girl" from last week after she engaged in a territory battles with another snowy and landed close to me..she has some pine needles in her claws as she landed on the apex of a pine tree briefly after scaring the other female away
#snowyowl
#wellingtoncounty
Say hello to our little backyard friend...we saved him weeks ago and he's decided to stick around and comes for a visit at least once a week ..toads are awesome ..Kahlua is very gentle with him :)
Snow squall cleared and I was able to get a few decent photos from the road , my first daylight barred owl!!! So flipping happy..it pays off to scan posts and fences as you drive through country side! Thankfully this road is my main road to work...I hope I'll be seeing it again!
Cute little Virginia Oppossum I came across while birding last week. Did you know that they can help limit the spread of Lyme Disease by killing off ticks that feed on them? Pretty neat! We need them around <3
#oppossum
#wildlife
Really enjoying having Pine Grosbeaks & Waxwings around me this winter; it has been a joyful experience to watch them, and a pleasure to meet some other birders in the community. the PIGR's are quickly becoming the stars of Luther Marsh this season :)
#birdwatching
#ontario
Met an awesome couple that allowed me to have some moments w/ some evening grosbeaks today at their beautiful farm (I will be eternally thankful! <3 ) here is a photo of female/immature, only one adult male present (photos l8r)
#eveninggrosbeak
#birding
#dufferincounty
#ontario
White Throated Sparrows were dominate w/ Oh Sweet Canada songs the last week, had several running around yard, on a walk the other day I had 10 running around me, took this photo the other day as one sat in my tree in late evening
#whitethroatedsparrow
#birding
#birdwatching
Some
#snowyowl
favourites from the last few days...including a close up of one of my fave girls...she's so amazingly HUGE and beautiful..she's one of the biggest females I've ever seen! so long... and my lil male I see almost daily on way to work..cuties!
#birding
#owls
Couple wee little boys I was with a bit ago; one had some blood on his underneath, when a big truck flushed him I snapped a pre flight belly pic..upon inspection it appears it was just left over lunch :D
#snowyowls
few of my favourite shots @ sunset last night with a male I call Amaranth; he has likely had a past radial fracture or break (look @ HIS left wing) that has healed; he seems to be surviving well.. likely a few yrs old
#ethicalowlphoto
@BirdStudiesCan
#dufferincounty
#sharecangeo
Anyone seen a muskrat run? I have *giggle* and now you can! Pulled over to watch him..as it was rolling in the snow ..wanted to check if it was hit/ok..but it was rolling around digging and eating! then it ran back to its hole in the ditch
#muskrat
#wildlife
The heated
@WBU_Inc
bird bath has become quite the hit in my yard, both in summer (unplugged) and winter! Lots of species using it over the past couple days
#projectfeederwatch
#ontario
Dark Eyed Juncos aka Snow Birds are 1 of my fave winter birds; my backyard has several rotations of different flocks w/ different pecking orders now & can often hear the more dominate junco making "kew kew" calls ordering others around
#birding
#feederwatch
#backyardbirds
Nuthatches are always a favourite of mine to interact with; especially in fall/winter; this year there is an irruption of red breasted nuthatches ; I'm also noticing more white breasted ones in the area too
#birding
#birdwatching
#backyardbirds
Few clips from owling for snowy owls the other day; so grateful that I live in an area that gets them every winter :) They are my
#sparkbird
that really got my birding/photography going
#snowyowl
#birding
#owls
#birdwatching
(sorry for camera shake..wind affects a 400mm lol)
American Tree Sparrows arrived this weekend :) Tricky little things to get a picture of as they frequently eat off the ground or feeder where i prefer to not photograph if possible
#birding
#backyardbirding
#ontario
Cuteness this AM in my yard ..back of camera video ..redpoll craziness week
#2
continues as they begin to move north .... Spring migration is happening!