The World Through Our Lens
As Bob and I were about to leave Montreal’s Botanical Gardens, after a day-long tour of the wonderful Mosaicultures garden exhibit, we came upon a Red Fox sniffing around the various plants in one specialized garden. What a surprise to find this wild creature quite at home in urban Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Read more
When Bob and I visited Grand Canyon National Park, our primary objective was to revel at the overwhelming and impressive scale of the canyon. Little did we know that our passion for birdwatching would be so richly rewarded both on the South Rim and deep within the canyon, itself. On one visit to Hopi Point, we were lucky enough to spot one of the two California Condors known to be nesting in a nearby rock face. Read more
Bob and I were delighted when we spotted a Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) sitting below the nesting hole of two woodpeckers at Second Marsh, near Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Read more
Our visit to Second Marsh Wildlife Area in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, was very rewarding. Not only is that area of land very interesting and beautiful to walk, but the myriad habitats attract many different bird species, so it is a birdwatcher’s delight. Bob and I were all set for a leisurely stroll as we patrolled the hiking trails in search of wildlife, and some of the first birds we saw were Tree Swallows. Read more
On a rather damp Sunday afternoon, Bob and I seized a reprieve from the rain for a hike along the Seaton Hiking Trail north of Whitevale, in Ontario. From the lookout at the dam, we observed numerous Barn Swallows darting about the surface of the water, but also watched as a pair of Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) made repeated forays into the bulrushes where the water was calm. Read more
Second Marsh Wildlife Reserve provides wonderful opportunities for birdwatching, and on a visit to that extensive wetland in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Bob and I were lucky to see an Eastern Kingbird (Tyrranus tyrannus). Read more
On a warm, sunny June morning, Bob and I set off to explore Forks of the Credit Provincial Park near Caledon, in Ontario, Canada. We were excited to see what species we might discover. As we followed the movements of an Eastern Towhee, lo and behold, we caught sight of a Black-billed Cuckoo. Read more
For my mom and dad, seeing a Northern Flicker is a fairly common occurrence at Oxtongue Lake, in Ontario, Canada. The birds frequent their backyard and beach property because both locations have sandy soil with a good supply of ants. When Bob and I visited in mid-May one spring, I was lucky enough to see a female flicker industriously trying to find some grubs in an old tree stump. Read more
On an outing to Forks of the Credit Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, Bob and I were winding down our day after having spent several hours on the beautiful trails there. As we strode across Kettle Trail to regain the Trans Canada Trail and then the parking lot, an unfamiliar sound met our ears. We soon spotted the source in a treetop not far away. A bobolink in full song was in profile against an azure sky, making for a perfect snapshot. Read more
On spring, as I went about cleaning up the dishes after breakfast, out of the corner of my eye I saw a blur fly past the patio door and make a sharp veer to the left. I was grateful that the bird hadn’t been fooled into flying into the window’s reflection. I was keen to locate it in my backyard and thrilled when the bird turned out to be a Gray-cheeked Thrush. Read more
