I haven't spent enough time at the lake this year to know but I've heard there are fewer terns there this year. I did see quite a few fishing off the beach one day and there have been adults feeding young ones so it seems they are still nesting somewhere close by.
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Monday, 25 August 2025
Thursday, 21 August 2025
Baird's Sandpiper
This is not a species I see very often. I have mixed feelings about seeing them, they are interesting little birds, usually only found individually on this coast and mixing with the other peep which are a little smaller in comparison except for the White-rumped which are similar in size. The longer primary feathers which extend beyond the tail is one good field mark although shared by the White-rumped. The Baird's being browner in colour. This is probably a juvenile bird. My mixed feelings stem from the fact that I destroyed a previous favourite camera trying to photograph one.
Sunday, 10 August 2025
Friday, 8 August 2025
Ruddy Turnstones
Last time I was at the beach there were lots of Turnstones there as well as many of the usual suspects. I need to get back there for another photo session soon while the weather is still favourable.
Friday, 1 August 2025
Lesser Yellowlegs
Yellowlegs seem to be equally at home whether it's at the beach or in a brackish pond as these two photos seem to indicate.
Monday, 28 July 2025
Sanderling
There are a lot of shorebirds currently in the area, on their way south to their wintering grounds. The adults generally arrive first followed later by the juveniles - this seasons offspring. This is an adult Sanderling, the young ones lack any hint of breeding plumage and their feathers won't look as worn as the adults.
Sunday, 20 July 2025
Green-winged Teal - Hen
I have to assume that the Green-winged Teals have nested near the local pond again this year. Although I haven't seen any young ones yet, the fact that the adult female has been overly curious about my presence there makes me feel there are ducklings hiding somewhere in the surrounding foliage or if a late nesting then eggs still being incubated. My best guess would be the former.
Update: A few days after posting this I discovered 4 or 5 young Teal in the pond, almost if not fully fledged.
Thursday, 17 July 2025
Whimbrels
The Whimbrels usually arrive back here in early July. Crowberries are their preferred food this time of year and there seems to be a pretty good crop available for them this year.
Friday, 11 July 2025
Osprey - Flight Shots
I managed to get a few Osprey photos this Summer so far, not the shot I've been looking for but I guess I have to be satisfied with these for now. Maybe I'll be luckier in the next few weeks if I keep at it.
Monday, 7 July 2025
Sunday, 6 July 2025
Cedar Waxwing
A couple of Cedar Waxwing images taken in different lighting, one backlit and the other lit from the front in some soft light.
Wednesday, 2 July 2025
Wood Duck - Drake in Moult
Wood Duck drakes might be the most beautiful duck in North America but that beauty isn't always evident. When the birds first arrive here in Spring they are at their most colourful stage as displayed by this bird shot in early April.
Monday, 30 June 2025
Where Did You Get Those Shoes
Not my usual fare but it was a slow day. If these birds weren't so common I think people would start to see some of the beauty in them.
Sunday, 29 June 2025
Baby Ring-necked Ducks
Rounding out the trio (so far) of baby ducks is this group of Ring-necked Ducks, nine ducklings in all who never seem to stray too far from their mother. They are skilled divers even at this early age.
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Black Duck Baby
Taken on the same day as the baby Wood Duck shots, this was one of a pair that were hanging out together in the same area. I watched as they chased one of the Wood Ducks away from their feeding area, the Black Ducks being slightly larger at the time.
Monday, 23 June 2025
Baby Wood Ducks
There have been a few young ducklings swimming around in one of the local ponds lately, three species in all with the Wood Ducks being the most numerous. I have counted 14 in all, in a couple stages of development with the smaller ones being in the largest family group.
Sunday, 15 June 2025
Early Morning Tree Swallows
It was a cold morning today, about 5 degrees C, which meant there was a lot of low lying fog hanging over the water. It can make a nice backdrop for many bird images in my opinion including this shot of a group of Tree Swallows.
Friday, 13 June 2025
Vireos - Red-eyed and Blue-headed
Vireos are a family of birds slightly larger than warblers on average. They are known for their repetitive songs, The Red-eyed Vireo in particular is a very incessant singer with a song somewhat similar to an American Robin.
Thursday, 12 June 2025
Wood Duck - Drakes
These images are from early April when the Wood Ducks were just arriving back in Nova Scotia after wintering farther south. They are always in their best and brightest plumage in the early Spring.
Wednesday, 11 June 2025
A Little Late - Brier Island - October 2024
A few of the regular birders decided to do a Fall trip to Brier Island in 2024. Four of us in total, only half the number that made the Spring trip the last couple of years. I guess October isn't as appealing as is May when the birds are in breeding plumage. Fall has more appeal for me I guess since I like to photograph the migrating raptors. There is the added bonus that you may see a whale or two if you're lucky.
I was able to get a few images of hawks and eagles and the ever present Turkey Vultures. I was especially hoping to get a few shots of Kestrels which I did, but they were not as abundant as in the previous Fall trip and they kept their distance.
I also took a few images of a Bald Eagle and a Northern Harrier.