Backyard Bounty

Poor lighting and an unsuccessful attempt at an outing earlier in the morning kept me close to home today.  Sometimes I forget the fun I can have with my camera in my own back yard!



It was pretty active - at one time there were 41 birds around me, gathering at the fountain to drink or to indulge in a few peanuts.  A Coopers zoomed past my head but fortunately for my feathered friends he didn't stick around.

In addition to the usual suspects - sparrows, cardinals, doves and black birds - Blue Jays rang in the fall season with LOUD voices and lots to say.

Most are sporting back-to-school haircuts!

Hanging out at the local watering hole.

Where's my nemesis?

Here I am...get away from MY peanuts!

This odd bird joined in the festivities...I wasn't able to locate him in my birding book!

Can't think of a better way to spend a holiday Monday!

Beeeeeeautiful!

[click photo to enlarge]

Coyote Pups

I spotted young coyotes playing near the tree line in North Durham early this morning. They must have been siblings as their markings were nearly identical. Very cute and very fluffy and healthy looking!

I hid behind a tree and took some shots. Like you'd expect in a coyote group of three, one was cautious, one was curious but shy, and the third was clearly the leader, not caring too much that I was in the area.

This was the leader, who was careful not to get close but still carefree enough to keep hunting.

Pounce!

Deep in thought.  At least, until the next yummy critter scurries by!



Heron vs Turtle

Another in a series of cool animal adventures today! 

A painted turtle joined several birds who were sitting on a log, his back to a Green Heron.   The Heron took an interest in the turtle and slowly approach him, as if stalking.  "Oh no", I thought.  "This isn't going to end well!".

At best, I expected the turtle to retreat and disappear into the water but instead he slowly turned around and approached the heron, who's giant beak was ready and able to give him a good one!

Smooooch! (click to enlarge)

Instead, they came within about an inch of actually touching "noses" and then both thought better of it and retreated.  I wondered if they were only comparing outfits, since they have very similar colouring!

The Magic Tree at Second Marsh

There is a huge tree in the corner of the marsh that attracts any and all creatures.  I lost count during my visit today as to how many birds were either in the tree, or immediately beneath it.

At one point there was a Night Heron family, a group of Green Herons, a Great Blue Heron, countless Wood Ducks, Yellow-Legs, Mallards, a King Fisher, and for a short time they were joined by a Cooper's Hawk.  Not to be left out, an Osprey and a Northern Harrier also flew over the treetop.

In over 2 hours at the marsh I barely moved except to dodges the ants that showed no mercy (no pics of those!).

Juvenile Night-Heron (one of many)

These two siblings had a love-hate relationship.  They were never farther apart than a few inches but they sure did squabble!



Standing Room Only!  All I could get in this photo were the lower residents of the tree...Wood Duck to the side (many more around the trunk), cormorants, and a Great Blue Heron.

Yellow-Legs (not sure if this is a Greater or Lessor?)



Yellow-Legs (playing with black and white)

Killdeer

Busy morning at Whitby Harbour

Lots of critters were up early and put on quite a show.


Belted KingFisher, who took a moment to sit before taking off like a bullet.



Mink!  There were two who were playing near a drainage pipe.

 

Double-Crested Cormorants.  Most people think they're ugly but I think they are so striking. 
The emerald green eyes are amazing and they are so much fun to watch.



Heron vs Gull (vs Fish)

A strange scened played out in front of my eyes on the waterfront in Whitby as I was photographing Cormorants.  These aren't great shots because of the distance but hopefully they tell the story!

A Great Blue Heron, who had been quietly wading on the shore suddenly took off toward the centre of the lake, croaking all the way.



The enemy turned out to be a gull who seemed to have been minding his business sitting quietly.  

The Heron (left) plunged into the water where the Gull had been floating.  I've never seen a Heron out so far in the lake before!



Finally!  I understood what he was after.  That is the biggest fish I've ever seen a Heron catch!  Because of the distance between the Heron's inital wading spot and where the fish was caught, I can only guess that the fish must have jumped and caught the heron's attention.



Just when I thought I'd figured it out, the Heron threw the fish back into the water, and left as quickly as he came!

No sense trying to figure nature out....but it is great to be able to observe encounters like this!

Black and White

Another really cool wildlife moment from today.  I was at the marsh, which is separated from lake Ontario by only 40 feet or so of shore.  I turned for a moment to look out onto the lake and saw 26 beautiful Mute Swans of all ages slowly drifting by, heading west.

At that same moment, an endless stream of cormorants passed right behind them heading in the opposite direction.

Black and White
(Click to Enlarge Photo)