Uploads from Osprey-Ian, with geodata

Bringing home the bacon

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:40:00 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

It is spring time and this male is busy in 'hunter/gather' mode. He hunts while his 'wife' minds the nest. If you look carefully you can see her wing-tip near the top of the nest.

Looks best on black - press L

Back again

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sat, 04 May 2013 10:26:42 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

The ospreys have returned to a nearby nest along the Saint John River. Friends who watch the nest regularly told me that the male and female both returned on April 10.

Something happened to their babies last year - none of the chicks successfully fledged. Hopefully things will go better this year.

If you look carefully in this shot you can see a fish in the osprey's talon.

At home with the house finch

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:20:52 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

Early April and still not many migrating birds about. Not to worry, this good natured house finch was kind enough to pose for me!

When do the guests arrive?

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:25:45 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

This chickadee is waiting on his house guests - all the warblers and song birds that migrate for the winter while he sticks around New Brunswick.

Not much longer to wait my friend. Soon they'll be lots of brightly coloured birds around to keep you company!

Flight is Freedom

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 17:15:39 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

This photo was taken at the Nova Scotia Eagle Watch 2013.

The Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia is the largest wintering ground for bald eagles in eastern North America. Every year hundreds of eagles converge on this part of Nova Scotia. It is an amazing sight! If you love raptors it really is worth the trip.

Best viewed on black - press L

Under the Sea

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 17:57:41 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

This is the hold of a fishing platform in Dipper Harbor, New Brunswick. If you look carefully, you can see various clams and crustaceans on the ceiling. Also notice the fish net to the right.

Look here son, this is how it's done!

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:51:01 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

A nice side by side in flight shot of an adult and immature bald eagle. As you can seen in this photo, immature bald eagles look very different from the adults. They don't typically get their adult plumage until 4-5 years of age.

This photo was taken at the Nova Scotia Eagle Watch 2013.

The Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia is the largest wintering ground for bald eagles in eastern North America. Every year hundreds of eagles converge on this part of Nova Scotia. It is an amazing sight! If you love raptors it really is worth the trip.

Best viewed on black - press L

Spring - Fredericton Style

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:37:12 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

It is usually fairly mild this time of year, but spring in the Maritimes can pack a punch. Yesterday was a case in point when on the first day of spring Mother Nature served up a big dump of snow!:-(

On your tail!

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:58:58 -0700

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

This is one sassy seagull chasing a bald eagle at the Nova Scotia Eagle Watch 2013.

The Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia is the largest wintering ground for bald eagles in eastern North America. Every year hundreds of eagles converge on this part of Nova Scotia. It is an amazing sight! If you love raptors it really is worth the trip.

Best viewed on black - press L

Like a thunderbolt

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 17:16:12 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

Best viewed on black - press L

Taken at the Nova Scotia Eagle Watch 2013

Spring can't be far!

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:14:11 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

This bohemian waxwing is waiting for spring. He has been munching on old crab apples all winter and he is keen to eat something fresh! Not long to wait now my friend. It is slowly starting to warm in the Maritimes and the snow will soon be gone!:-)

Orange is better than red

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:22:28 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

Not many birds about in the winter in New Brunswick so I pay a bit more attention to the 'common' species that come to our feeders. We usually get lots of house finches and I've noticed that some of them are different than the 'usual' pinkish red colour. Some are yellowish and others are like this guy and have an orange tinge. I understand that some of this colour variation is caused by diet.

Respect Your Elders!

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:09:15 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

This mature bald eagle is trying to teach the 'youngster' a lesson. The birds are quarrelling over a piece of chicken in the lower left of the frame.

Immature bald eagles are large but their plumage is very different to the adults. Typically, they don't get their adult plumage until 4-5 years of age.

This photo was taken at the Nova Scotia Eagle Watch 2013.

Looks best on black - press L

The Freedom of Flight

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:28:36 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

I never cease to be inspired by the sight of these raptors coming into land!

Back off dude!

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:19:39 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

These two bald eagles are having a disagreement about the ownership of a piece of chicken. There were many disputes like this at the 2013 Nova Scotia Eagle Watch.

The Ravenous Redpoll

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:26:13 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

This past week my backyard has been overrun by a flock of common redpolls. These are tough little birds. They summer in the high arctic and spend the winter in the comparatively balmy latitudes of Southern Canada and the Northern US. It gets pretty cold here, especially at night (e.g. -30C) but the redpolls don't seem to mind. Of course it is hungry work staying warm so they go through a lot of sunflower seeds!

This is a female redpoll. The males are similar but they have a pinkish coloured breast.

New Year's Day 2013

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 16:41:18 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

All the best for the New Year. This photo was taken behind the provincial legislature building in Fredericton. It has been bitterly cold these past few days and with two blizzards in four days we have lots of snow on the ground!

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Season's Greetings

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 16:46:08 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

Best wishes of the season to everyone who enjoys flickr!:-)

Red bellies rule!

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 12:44:40 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

Cardinals are very impressive birds, but on my recent trip to Ojibway Park, I thought this male red-bellied woodpecker stole the show!

Non-birders often confuse these guys with the rarer red-headed woodpecker, but they are very different. Red-headed woodpeckers have a completely red-head and they lack the white patterning on the back.

The Cardinal's Queen

nobody@flickr.com (Osprey-Ian) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:23:24 -0800

Osprey-Ian posted a photo:

This female cardinal is a very regal lady!