Hummer in the Summer

After years of trying, I think 2015 might be the year I finally have some hummingbirds of my own!

The lighting wasn't great but I was able to grab a few shots of this sweet bird as she explored the Honeysuckle Vine near my back door.  Hopefully they will stay until fall.

Bee-hold!

No matter how quiet my backyard may seem at times, there's always something to photograph if I look hard enough.

Hummingbirds Abound (but not in my backyard)

Over the past few years, and especially this summer, I've focused on making my backyard as friendly as possible for Hummingbirds, and all of the "3Bs" (Birds, Butterflies, and Bees).

Part of it is for selfish reasons - I love them all and when my yard is full of life, I'm in my happy place.  I also feel that we are obligated to create habitat for nature whenever possible, since we take so much away from wildlife with never-ending development that is displacing animals in Durham Region (and everywhere) at an alarming rate.

My yard includes multiple water sources, many "3B" friendly plants, and I'm looking forward to seeing what my newly planted native Ontario seedlings attract next summer when they mature.  Add to that a couple of nectar feeders and I figure my yard should be full of Hummingbirds.  Right?

Nope.

So, I've had to hit the road to find some Hummingbirds to enjoy and photograph.  Here are a few photos taken at a popular Canada Thistle plant that I saw in an industrial area in Whitby. 

I'm still holding out hope that I will get a few of my own...but until then, there are plenty of these beauties around if you know where to look.

One Lucky Duck

I've been a volunteer with Toronto Wildlife Centre for almost eight years and have had the opportunity to experience things that I won't ever forget.  While I love providing hands-on care for animals at the hospital, being able to contribute by participating in rescues and releases is where my heart lies.

Of all the animals we find in distress in the wild, I'm probably most affected by the innocent lives that are on the verge of being destroyed by garbage that has not be properly discarded.  Probably because it is so debilitating, and so senseless.

This young Wood Duck, still not old enough to fly, was found by some local birders at a pond in Oshawa and reported to Toronto Wildlife Centre.  He had something protruding from his mouth.  It turns out that someone's mesh bag that at one time contained garlic was lodged in his throat.  Had the "GARLIC" tag not been sticking out of his mouth, nobody would have known that this bird was suffering.  He would have died a slow and painful death.

Although he was still with his mother and sister in the pond, other birds were starting to pick on him, and he was having difficulty eating.

I met up with TWC's rescue team and, after an extremely tricky and exhausting rescue (it's amazing how fast and camouflaged these little guys are in high grass!)  we were able to capture this duck.

Once back at the Centre he was examined and we learned that surgery was not required.  A slow and delicate extraction process, some rest, and a good meal and we were able to release this duck back to his home and family.

He was one of the lucky ones.

Please discard your garbage properly.  Throwing it in the right bin is part of it, but there's more you can do.  If you've ever been to a landfill you may have witnessed birds, mammals and rodents sifting through torn garbage bags.  Our garbage may still be accessible to wildlife long after it leaves our homes.  String and fishing line can get wrapped around wings or ingested, so cut it up before tossing. Plastic fast food drinking cups are inviting for skunks and other animals, who squeeze their head through the hole in the lid to get the last few drops of liquid, but they can't remove the lid afterwards. Also very damaging are the plastic six-pack rings.  All of this should be cut up before discarding.  It only takes a few extra seconds but very well worth the effort.

Here are a few "before and after" photos of this very lucky duck.   Thank you to Toronto Wildlife Centre for all of the great experiences you've given me, and for helping this Wood Duck get back to his family.

Wood Duck after having ingested mesh Garlic bag that was not properly discarded.

Sarrah releasing the Wood Duck

Enjoying Freedom!

Have you seen my Mom?

A very happy ending for Mom (right) and Son!

Wild About Turkeys

I don't think too many words are necessary.  This is an adorable young Wild Turkey, who took a moment from his Mama and siblings to say hello.