Harlequin Ducks

 I can't let a Winter go by without taking some photos of Harlequin Ducks. These shots probably won't be my last for this year, as long as the ducks co-operate. 

Not a Bobcat

We recently had a couple days when the temperature plunged below minus 10 and below minus 20 celcius overnight.  We've had a pretty mild Winter up to this point. It was during one of those days when, while carrying firewood into the house that I spotted a bobcat walking down the path toward me. He turned and ran the other way while I ran to get my camera. Unfortunately the only thing I was able to photograph that day was this little male Golden-crowned Kinglet. Just a little ball of feathers, puffed up to insulate against the intense cold.

Bald Eagle

 Eagles almost never let me get this close but this bird made an exception. While not the most interesting perch or photo for that matter I decided to post this anyway since I don't know when I'll get this close again.

Sharp-shinned Hawk - First Visit

I can't say whether this was the actual first visit or not but it was definitely the first where I was able to get photos. There was a second visit with photos as well but I'll leave those for later. This feeding season there have been visits by at least three Sharpies in three different plumage phases. This one was an adult, the other two were juveniles, first and second year birds I believe. The red eyes of the adults are quite remarkable.

 

Tree Sparrow

These little birds are one of our regular Winter visitors arriving around the start of the season and then heading back north as Spring approaches. I don't spend a lot of time photographing sparrows but these guys are one of my favourites.

 

Sleepy Great Horned Owl

One last post before the end of the year. I think these were taken back in October. I don't often get close to Great Horned Owls but this one really didn't seem bothered by my presence. Besides flying to a higher perch he/she mostly ignored me and then decided to doze off.

 

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon

 It's been a few weeks since I've been able to take any new images. Here are some from a couple months back from two different days and locations. Juvenile Peregrine in both, the latter when one was harassing a juvenile harrier or vice versa. It might be the New Year before I'm able to go out and actually take photos again. Just to be clear it has to do with equipment issues, I don't need any repairs myself.