on the chase (#249-250)

Seems I'm going to alternate Kauai posts with local posts. Geez, I'm getting so behind. I'm going to try and stay on top of this in the near future. But still haven't filed my taxes...

So, there have been some interesting reports in Ottawa lately, and we've decided to chase just a few of them. Of course, anytime something is reported, do you think we can find it?

The first one was a violet-green swallow at the Britannia Filtration plant (did I not just talk about not relying on range maps?). This bird was way out of range. We showed up after work and there were several other birders present. The swallows were flying pretty high up and definitely not landing or sitting still anywhere for you to get a good look. We decided to give up on that and head home. On the road out though, we noticed some people watching the dogs and geese, an area that we don't look to closely at. We noticed one goose that was remarkably different.

I had heard of this particular goose before and it is apparently a hybrid Canada/domestic goose. Notice the orange bill and orange feet. The other geese didn't seem to mind and it fit in well (unlike the black-bellied whistling duck among the mallards).

This weekend on the way back from Chelsea we decided to stop at Bates Island to see the kayakers/surfers/SUPers in the rapids.

Then I remembered the swallow colony under the bridge. We may not have spotted the violet-green, but there is still a reliable swallow in Ottawa we have left to count--the cliff swallow. They are so fast and hard to shoot but we spent a good 30-45 minutes on the bridge trying to get a shot.

Matt managed to bang a few off that at least let me positively ID them (white spot, square tail) even though it's established that it's a cliff swallow colony. The white spots on their foreheads were easy to see when you watched them.

#249: Cliff swallow; Island Park Bridge, Ottawa, May 5, 2013

On the way home we decided we'd stop and check a few other things out. 

Matt pulled off this amazing shot!

We stopped to see the owls which have had owlets since the last time we saw them, and they are getting pretty big. They are unbelievable cute! The nest is right in the sun and it was incredibly hot. Mom was panting the whole time.

little one getting courageous, hanging its head out the side!

Nearby we heard a loud squawking and Matt and I looked at each other in question. It was a Cooper's hawk! So many great birds in one spot! Turns out I never counted a cooper's...I think I've seen them but I really have a hard time differentiating them from sharp-shinned. This one I am confident about.

#250: Cooper's Hawk, Ottawa, Ontario, May 5, 2013

The frogs in mid-afternoon sounded like they were screaming! We found this one nice and close and he kindly posed!

Today we went after a blue-winged warbler...no luck. That's ok, lots of birds are on the way!

Stay tuned for Kauai Part 3!

Mexican bird fiesta continues! (#203-206)

It seemed to be a constant bird party down in Mexico, with the majority of these birds seen right on the resort (all but the pigeons).

This guy's got attitude! One of a seemingly neverending variety of black/white/yellow warblers, in various combinations.
#203: Yellow-Throated Warbler; Mayan Riviera, Mexico (Barcelo Maya Resort), February 15, 2012

love it when they check you out -- have to wonder what they are thinking!

Yellow-bellied sapsuckers aren't just up here!

This next bird was one of my target birds--being a pretty common bird for the area, it wasn't going to be difficult, but I still didn't see them until a few days in. I was waiting outside Michelle's room waiting for her to go to the gym, and I thought I heard something that sounded...just a little different. I went to investigate. I guess my ear is getting better after all!

I only ever saw these birds on one part of the resort and only at one time of day. I'm just glad I was there at that time...they are so cool!

#204: Yucatan Jay; Mayan Riviera, Mexico (Barcelo Maya Resort), February 16, 2012

worm wars

Adults have black bills and immatures have yellow. Also, the adults don't have the yellow eye ring.

 We spent one day in the awesome little city of Playa del Carmen. Wouldn't be right if I didn't include a shot of the expected urban residents:

Pigeons in the park

#205: White-eyed Vireo; Mayan Riviera, Mexico (Barcelo Maya Resort), February 17, 2012
Love that eye! 

As we walked alongside one of the paths, I spotted a bit of red on the ground. My first thought: Scarlet tanager. Then I realized that there blue too...and then I realized that there was some green that wasn't just green from the leaves.....and then I freaked!

PAINTED BUNTING!

SCORE!!!!

 Why am I so excited? Why did I put on a scene in front of confused resort goers? This has been a bird I've been just dying to see. I still remember, when I first got my first bird guide, I sat in the car and peeled over the pages, and I remember saying---"that bird is amazing!" It's been on the "birds I'm dying to see" list on the sidebar of this blog since it began.

I thought to myself, if only I had seen it one day later and it would have been a birthday lifer! I mean, it was possible, being in a new birding zone for me and all. Well, pickers can't be choosers; I know I'm being silly. But sometimes you secretly hope things to just work out perfectly like that.

Well, these pics are super shoddy--it was deep in the brush, no light, hard to focus...but, there's no question as to what it is! And I'm not letting this one go.

#206: Painted Bunting; Mayan Riviera, Mexico (Barcelo Maya Resort), February 18, 2012

if you think this pic is blurry, you should probably just get your eyes checked ;)

 A pretty white-winged dove posed in this nice natural frame

More loveliness

I can't believe that I've still got so much more to post!

The Big Year and the Big Rescue

THE GREAT SAPSUCKER RESCUE OF 2011

So this is not really news anymore, but I didn't write about it when it happened. Anyways, a coworker of mine, Ron, and I were grabbing coffee when we noticed a bunch of smokers outside the building looking at something. Didn't take long for us to see it was a poor bird shocked and stuck near the entrance of our building. It was a little yellow-bellied sapsucker, seemingly confused that the siding of the building was a not a tree, and apparently very confused about how to get out of that maze of concrete and metal.

I really felt we needed to do something and luckily Ron was there, ready to do a good deed. I donated my cardigan to the cause and Ron managed to get it in my sweater, where it made very loud screeches for a few moments before quieting down completely and apparently becoming quite comfortable in Ron's arms. We debated where to take it, and instead of just releasing it in the concrete jungle we opted to take it over to the nearest park space. On the way Ron casually mentions, "by the way, I took a course on animal rescue."

So we head over and he puts it on the ground, and wants to check its wings when the thing just takes off like a bat out of hell, headed for the closest tree. Judging by how fast he took off, we think it was just fine. Well, my first sapsucker in the downtown core! Although we do have lots of birding stories at the office...another recent on is the peregrine that caught a pigeon and sat on the ledge opposite our office defeathering the thing...amazing to watch!

Hero Ron and Woodpecker!

Oh yeah, so remember what seems like ages ago they came out with a movie about birding? Woops...this post has been in my drafts for a while now...

I'd been patiently waiting for the Big Year to be released. Knowing it was coming out made me acutely aware of just how long it takes for a film to be made and finally released. I found out about it when it was already being filmed, which seems like AGES ago. Matt and I headed out on release night to catch it, not knowing exactly what to expect. I was curious to see how they would adapt a book with so narrow a focus to such a broad audience.

I wasn't sure what to expect--I didn't think this could possibly be a blockbuster--I just couldn't see the general public rushing out to see it, except maybe for the all-star cast. I don't know what a theatre normally looks like on a Friday night these days, but it was pretty quiet in there. We arrived just 9 minutes before it started, and when I asked if there was much room left, the cashier looked at me and said, "well, we've sold 35 seats so far." Hmm, so nobody rushing out to see it on opening night. We headed into the relatively empty theatre, and the previews had already started.

I got a few laughs and chuckles in, and a few when nobody else was laughing (especially when a coworker asks Jack Black what he's listening to on his headphones and he replies "Clark's Nutcracker," partially because I have been known to this in my own cube).

Normally I would have passed this one off as pure fluff, but I was lenient with it because I wanted to be. Would I recommend it? No, probably not. It's not enough for a serious birder, and can't carry its own weight for non-birding fans. Ok, I'm going to go ahead and admit....it was pretty terrible. Ah well. My recommendation would be...just the read the book. It's great.

in line for the movie...had waited for what seemed like forever for it to be released!

where do all the birds go at night? (#137-139)

Well, I'm going to start this off on a bit of a downer note, but stick with me because I promise it gets better. When I was in Kingston last weekend I did see a few kingfishers, but I have always had a hard time photographing these birds: they don't tend to sit still. I pulled over because I saw a loon that looked different than normal (hoping it was a red-throated, but I think it was either a juvenile common or common still in its winter feathers) and saw this beside the road. It made me very sad, but this is for sure the first kingfisher that has ever stayed still for me :(

Ok, so now for today and for happier things. Matt was so thoughtful to throw the camera in the car picking me up this morning, so why not a stop at Fletcher? I wanted to head there because my dragonboat practices are nearby. I had my first of the season yesterday, and I could hardly pay attention to the coach because there were so many birds around. Seriously, I couldn't concentrate. Anyways, so I head back there today (only in much more pain this time around). Immediately there was a guy heading to his car with some serious photogear. He gave us the scoop and I couldn't help but get excited. Plus, the weather was gorgeous, and I don't think I could have been more happy. So, we started off around the little marshy pond, and there were lots and lots of swallows swooping around. Not after long, I saw what I thought almost looked like a crow in a tree. It was backlit, but something kept me looking more carefully...and thank goodness I did......A GREEN HERON! Ok, well, those who follow my blog may recall that this bird was on my "birds I'm dying to see list," and I happily removed it today. However, I'm quite sure I will be adding it to a new list: "birds I am dying to see again." This is one of those totally satisfying lifers: it's a moment when you can't believe your good fortune and you can't believe how wonderful the bird in front of you is. I was surprised by its size, and the fact that I saw it in a tree, and that it then went into a pine tree--I always imagined it in a marsh!!!  Anyways, I just love this bird....maybe one of my favourites. Its colouring is just stunning.

#137: Green Heron; Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa; May 7, 2011

It was fairly quiet in the woody part of Fletcher. I've got to say that everything is looking so great in GREEN! The part of the garden along the canal was just gorgeous...I could have definitely stayed for a picnic!

I saw my first palm warbler, but I got better shots later in the day so I'll put those later. I did hear a bird calling that I didn't immediately recognize. I could see its white belly, but eventually it tucked its head down to preen and I could see its bright rufous/oragney head.
Chipping sparrow:

There were lots of little birds around, especially finches, and then saw this cruise over....Trouble! I saw the tiniest little birds chasing after it, which was funny, but I also felt bad for them!

We headed home, but stopped quickly at Shirley's Bay and the feeders. There were a few people there, and I couldn't believe it when I was picking out the birds and explaining the markings to them. So much has changed in a year! Honestly I think they were a little surprised to see a fairly non-typical birder that seemed to know her stuff!

I don't know how I missed this bird last year, but I somehow did. Easy lifer!

#138: Field Sparrow; Hilda Road Feeder; Ottawa; May 7, 2011

Saw my first brown-headed cowbird of the year. Apparently they're around in abundance this year, but I haven't seen them! This is nice because I have not posted a male on my blog before...

A sapsucker swooped in and posed nicely right in front of us!

I came home to this, which has been peeving me off bigtime, because this squirrel just helps himself to EVERYTHING in my yard...bird seed, sugar water, tulip flowers....urghh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later in the day I wanted to hit Britannia. WOW. Now I know what people mean when a place is dripping with birds. I mean, they are just everywhere, and you can barely figure out which ones to look at! It ended quickly though; as soon as the sun set, it seemed to stop immediately. It's so strange: you know that they didn't just LEAVE...they were there just a moment ago, but they go quiet all of a sudden, and you don't see them anywhere. So where the heck are they? I should have gone earlier, but in the very short time, we saw so much!

My second palm of the day. It was quite dark and had to go to flash. I keep forgetting but mean to start using it in the daytime to get sharper shots when the birds are close enough (the flash goes surprisingly far...) I just always forget!!

#139: Palm warbler; Mud Lake, Ottawa; May 7, 2011

A pair of house finches were around. There are some near my work and I hear them first thing in the morning and on my way to the gym, and they always make my heart melt!

Matt caught sight of a black-white-warbler, but I missed it. Must try tomorrow!
So eventually everything quieted down. I got one last bird for the day, a beautiful black-throated blue warbler. I had only seen a female, so this bird was really exciting. Unfortunately, even with the flash, the picture wasn't nearly as stunning as the bird. But I'll post anyway, and hope to see one tomorrow.

I will get up early tomorrow.
I will get up early tomorrow.
I will get up early tomorrow.
I will get up early tomorrow.
I will get up early tomorrow.
I will.....

new bird...la la la la la! 2 for 1 special: Great Crested Flycatchers (#72)

#72: Great Crested Flycatcher; Mud Lake; June 27, 2010
I had seen a Great Crested Flycatcher at Mud Lake before but the picture was truly terrible. I'm so glad I FINALLY saw another...actually saw two! I couldn't manage to get both of them in one frame despite them being so close together since there were a bunch of trees in the way. It was quite strange: They did not fly off or make any noises, just patiently posed for about 5 minutes while I stood there!



Also of note today, a couple of Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers were were making quite a ruckus in the park, but posed nicely together for me.


And a juvenile American Robin, with a very spotty breast!

AI: part one (26-28)

Over the long weekend I spent some time on Amherst Island (AI), but it's never ever enough time. Even before I started birding, I knew that this was a special place when it comes to our feathered friends. It's covered top to bottom with birds. Within 10 minutes we saw at least 5 hawks. Dad said 2 weeks ago there was "every kind of duck you can imagine at the ferry dock." I almost don't want to give away too many details of this amazing place because I want to protect it forever....anyways, here goes:

26: Killdeer; April 5, 2010; Amherst Island (south shore)
These are awesome birds. I have seen a million of them in all the time I have spent on the island but had no idea what they were (actually, looking through my bird book I was really hoping I would see one, and I just realized this weekend that I've been seeing them for years). You can walk for half an hour along South Shore Road and they will go with you the whole way, but just 10 feet ahead of you. They run along on their skinny long legs and they are hilarious!

27: Tree Swallow; April 2, 2010; Amherst Island

The edge of the KFN property on Amherst Island was TEEMING with tree swallows. I think they are pretty cool. This guy looks like he has a long jacket, and he's saying "WHAT R U LOOKING AT???"
P.S. I took another pic of this guy here and absolutely love it! But I used this one on here since he's easier to identify.

28: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; April 2, 2010; Amherst Island
If I hadn't looked closer, I would have assumed this was Hairy or Downy. Surprise....nope!

Back soon with AI Birds of Prey!

Oh yeah...and another AI sighting: here