Trumpeter Swans On The Shore Of Lake Couchiching

Trumpeter swan A41, Washago, Ontario

Early one spring, on the shores of Lake Couchiching, Bob and I caught up with two members of the trumpeter swan family as they began their migration back to their breeding grounds in central Ontario.

Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) at one time were familiar sights in southern Ontario during periods of migration, but due to over hunting in the 18th and 19th centuries, for their feathers and their skins, as of 1886,  they had vanished from the region.  That year, a hunter at Long Point on Lake Erie shot the last known trumpeter swan that was migrating from the west.

Read more

A Gray Jay in Algonquin Provincial Park

Northern Gray Jay - Algonquin Park - Ontario

Bob and I spent three days skiing and hiking on various trails in Algonquin Provincial Park, in Ontario, trying to make the most of the last weeks of winter here in Ontario.  We love to go looking for birds and animals, but in this case, on the Opeongo Road, the Gray Jay came looking for us. Read more

Wild Coyote We Sighted In The Claireville Conservation Area

Photo of a Coyote taking a good look at something in the forest in the Claireville Conservation Area, in Toronto - Ontario March 8, 2013

A wild Coyote gives me a look as it stands in a snow covered field in the Claireville Conservation Area, in Toronto - Ontario March 8, 2013

On a visit to the Claireville Conservation Area in west-end Toronto, in Ontario, before we had barely set off from the parking lot, fellow visitors walking their dogs drew our attention to this wild coyote emerging from the edge of the bush. Read more

American Kestrel Eats A Mouse Near Whitby

Photo of an American Kestrel eating a mouse on a power line in Whitby - Ontario

On an extremely warm and sunny spring day, Bob and I drove east to Whitby, in Ontario, for a walk at the various conservation areas found in that area.  Along the roadway, we spotted an American Kestrel eating a mouse on a telephone wire. Read more

Boreal Chickadees In Algonquin Provincial Park

A Boreal chickadee checks out the suet feeder in Algonquin Park

One winter day, Bob and I drove into   Algonquin Provincial Park,   in Ontario, with plans to walk the Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail.  It is there that we sighted numerous Boreal Chickadees. Read more

Black-backed Woodpecker In Algonquin Provincial Park

A Black-backed Woodpecker, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

On one of our winter excursions, Bob and I drove to Algonquin Provincial Park , in Ontario, where we got to see a Black-backed Woodpecker when hiking along the Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail. Read more

Pileated Woodpeckers sighted near Oxtongue Lake

Female Pileated Woodpecker pecks at a tree

A closeup of the red head of a Pileated Woodpecker near Oxtongue Lake

One winter, Bob and I took advantage of the lovely ski trails at Oxtongue Lake to explore the woods along the west side of Patterson’s Bay.  It is there that we located two Pileated Woodpeckers, a male and a female, working industriously for their breakfast.  In this closeup, the bright red pointed crest is really conspicuous. Read more

Snowy Owl Sighting At Frenchman’s Bay in Ontario

Snowy Owl sits on icey Frenchman's Bay - Ontario - Canada

After one failed attempt, Bob and I made our way back to the shores of Frenchman’s Bay in Pickering, Ontario, to see if we could spot the Snowy Owl that has been making its stay there during the past winter.  We drove to a little park on the east shore of the bay, and started scanning with our binoculars. Read more

Great Horned Owl In A Forest In Whitby, Ontario

Great Horned Owl sits with eyes closed 2 - Thickson's Woods - Whitby - Ontario

On a frigid yet sunny winter day, Bob and I ventured out to a forest in Whitby, Ontario, to see if we could spot one of the two Great Horned Owls that makes that forest it’s home. Read more

1 12 13 14 15 16 18