Early morning shadows didn't allow for a great photo but I was happy to get at least this shot.
What a great way to start the day!
My Wild Tails from in and around Durham Region, Ontario. All photos copyright Chris McConnell.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Early Morning Eagle
On my way to my volunteer shift this morning I took a quick detour hoping to see a coyote or deer. I struck out and was going to turn back when I saw a large, dark bird in a tree. Could it be? Yes! An immature bald eagle!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Living with Coyotes
There is no better day than one where I have had an unexpected coyote sighting. I saw this beauty while running errands this morning.
As much as I love seeing coyotes, I know there are many that don't, in part due to misunderstanding and misinformation.
Please take a moment to visit Coyote Watch Canada's website at www.coyotewatchcanada.com. If you are concerned about a coyote in your area, give this a read: http://coyotewatchcanada.com/co-existing-with-coyotes/living-with-coyotes.
Coyotes should be enjoyed and respected, but not feared. It is possible to peacefully coexist.
As much as I love seeing coyotes, I know there are many that don't, in part due to misunderstanding and misinformation.
Please take a moment to visit Coyote Watch Canada's website at www.coyotewatchcanada.com. If you are concerned about a coyote in your area, give this a read: http://coyotewatchcanada.com/co-existing-with-coyotes/living-with-coyotes.
Coyotes should be enjoyed and respected, but not feared. It is possible to peacefully coexist.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Red-Tailed Hawk Hunting in Whitby
This is surely the most photographed hawk in Durham, because its not every day that you find one who doesn't care that he's hunting with a human audience. He definitely has a preference for Eastern Grey Squirrels.
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| Profile of a Killer (said the poor squirrel, minutes before his unfortunate demise) |
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| Thinking about his next move |
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| Not the face that a squirrel wants to see in a tree |
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| Waiting for the pounce |
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| Majestic beauty |
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| Another poor squirrel down |
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| It's not visible in this photo, but he has another squirrel in his talons |
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Kawarthas - Great Blue Heron
I've been wanting to photography a Great Blue Heron in a nice marsh setting and finally got my wish. Janice and I discovered this cooperative heron down the road from her cottage.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Town of Ajax Wildlife Meadow
For me though, it is the (quiet) east side of the waterfront where I prefer to spend time on busy
weekends. The town has done a great job in letting the waterfront go back to nature and the Wildlife Meadow is absolutely beautiful. It has inspired me to learn more about Ontario wildflowers.
Here are a few photos taken this past weekend (and hopefully one day I will be able to identify all of them!).
Here are a few photos taken this past weekend (and hopefully one day I will be able to identify all of them!).
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| Mating Monarchs - hopefully this will start a rebound in their numbers. |
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Wild for Wild Turkeys
The wild turkey population is thriving in Durham Region!
It is hard to believe that in the early 1900s, numbers had dwindled to the point where in the 40s a turkey reintroduction program was created. It was definitely successful. In my travels I see almost as many turkeys as I do geese these days it seems. There are hundreds in south Durham Region alone.
So much so that I was getting into my car at my local grocery store five minutes from my house, and a small flock of five walked past me on the sidewalk! Quite out of their range, which is normally close to farmers fields. It was Thanksgiving weekend so I suggested they move along quickly!
Here are a few of my wild turkey encounters over the last few months.
It is hard to believe that in the early 1900s, numbers had dwindled to the point where in the 40s a turkey reintroduction program was created. It was definitely successful. In my travels I see almost as many turkeys as I do geese these days it seems. There are hundreds in south Durham Region alone.
So much so that I was getting into my car at my local grocery store five minutes from my house, and a small flock of five walked past me on the sidewalk! Quite out of their range, which is normally close to farmers fields. It was Thanksgiving weekend so I suggested they move along quickly!
Here are a few of my wild turkey encounters over the last few months.
Durham Backroads - Coyote Pup!
I found him in a relaxed but observant pose, near the high grass by a Durham backroad. From a distance I thought he was a large cat, but as I approached I realize he was a coyote pup.
Likely Mom and Dad were in the background somewhere, but I never saw them. It was nice to see him looking so healthy.
Likely Mom and Dad were in the background somewhere, but I never saw them. It was nice to see him looking so healthy.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
The Adventures of Uncle Buck
It's been a while since I've been inspired to post, but I had to share this.
A few times I've witnessed deer and wild turkeys hanging out together. Not just eating in the same field, but actually there together, in a very casual, comfortable way. It reminds me of friends hanging out in a coffee shop. I've never been able to capture it...until now!
The first time I saw this was in an area in Durham where a wild sighting is always guaranteed, and as I was driving down the road I saw what I can describe as a large huddle of critters -- a combination of deer and wild turkey and they appeared to be doing nothing but hanging out. Not deer with deer, and turkey with turkey, but intermingled. They didn't appear to be eating. I couldn't figure out what the attraction was. I figured they might be plotting the demise of the area's coyotes (I can just see the Acme anvil teetering at the top of a large pine now.).
There were ten deer and close to thirty turkeys that time. I tried to get a photo but my lens was too big and they were too close, and I couldn't capture the moment.
I figured that had to be a one-time thing.
But then I saw it again. Not quite the same numbers, but the same sort of comfortable camaraderie that I'd witnessed the first time. And this time, no camera at all.
But finally, I have been able to document this friendship between the two species!
I was on the same road today, hoping to see a fawn that has been photographed in the area. As I was heading toward the area, I saw a deer on the side of the road, not crossing but clearly peaking out at me. I figured the fawn was by the deer's side in the high grass so I waited in my car at a distance.
Slowly something smaller emerged right next to the deer. At last, the elusive fawn! I aimed my camera; focused; but when I had a closer look through the lens, I thought "it's dark brown and pointy!"
This is what I saw.
First appeared one buck with a turkey mom. There was a second buck with the other mom behind these two. And then...the munchkin procession started!
You can see how comfortable they all were, as if this was an everyday occurrence. My experience with turkey moms is that they are excellent caregivers, and I was amazed that they had no issue whatsoever with these massive deer and their little ones underfoot.
And just when I thought it couldn't get any stranger...
...Uncle Buck stood in the middle of the road while the little ones crossed! You can't tell from this photo but there were at least 15 babies, possibly more, with these two female turkeys.
Still waiting......there's one more!
Only when the turkey moms got the last of the babies to the other side did the deer cross behind them.
A truly amazing sight to see, and I'm glad that I was finally able to capture what I've witnessed in the past.
I don't know much about the typical relationship between deer and turkey, and maybe this is the result of the terrible loss of land for wildlife in Durham Region, or a common enemy, but whatever the reason, this was very sweet to witness and it makes me wonder what goes on between species in Durham when nobody is there to witness!
An amazing morning I won't soon forget!
(Excuse the photo quality...shot in the drizzle through a dog-nose-printed windshield!)
A few times I've witnessed deer and wild turkeys hanging out together. Not just eating in the same field, but actually there together, in a very casual, comfortable way. It reminds me of friends hanging out in a coffee shop. I've never been able to capture it...until now!
The first time I saw this was in an area in Durham where a wild sighting is always guaranteed, and as I was driving down the road I saw what I can describe as a large huddle of critters -- a combination of deer and wild turkey and they appeared to be doing nothing but hanging out. Not deer with deer, and turkey with turkey, but intermingled. They didn't appear to be eating. I couldn't figure out what the attraction was. I figured they might be plotting the demise of the area's coyotes (I can just see the Acme anvil teetering at the top of a large pine now.).
There were ten deer and close to thirty turkeys that time. I tried to get a photo but my lens was too big and they were too close, and I couldn't capture the moment.
I figured that had to be a one-time thing.
But then I saw it again. Not quite the same numbers, but the same sort of comfortable camaraderie that I'd witnessed the first time. And this time, no camera at all.
But finally, I have been able to document this friendship between the two species!
I was on the same road today, hoping to see a fawn that has been photographed in the area. As I was heading toward the area, I saw a deer on the side of the road, not crossing but clearly peaking out at me. I figured the fawn was by the deer's side in the high grass so I waited in my car at a distance.
Slowly something smaller emerged right next to the deer. At last, the elusive fawn! I aimed my camera; focused; but when I had a closer look through the lens, I thought "it's dark brown and pointy!"
This is what I saw.
First appeared one buck with a turkey mom. There was a second buck with the other mom behind these two. And then...the munchkin procession started!
You can see how comfortable they all were, as if this was an everyday occurrence. My experience with turkey moms is that they are excellent caregivers, and I was amazed that they had no issue whatsoever with these massive deer and their little ones underfoot.
And just when I thought it couldn't get any stranger...
...Uncle Buck stood in the middle of the road while the little ones crossed! You can't tell from this photo but there were at least 15 babies, possibly more, with these two female turkeys.
Still waiting......there's one more!
Only when the turkey moms got the last of the babies to the other side did the deer cross behind them.
A truly amazing sight to see, and I'm glad that I was finally able to capture what I've witnessed in the past.
I don't know much about the typical relationship between deer and turkey, and maybe this is the result of the terrible loss of land for wildlife in Durham Region, or a common enemy, but whatever the reason, this was very sweet to witness and it makes me wonder what goes on between species in Durham when nobody is there to witness!
An amazing morning I won't soon forget!
(Excuse the photo quality...shot in the drizzle through a dog-nose-printed windshield!)
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