Uploads from ricmcarthur, with geodata

Just the one.

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:39:35 -0700

American avocets show up in our area each year. They aren't common but they aren't rare either.
A fellow birder called us to let us know there was just the one avocet about 3 miles outside of Rondeau Provincial Park.
The bird was exactly where she said it would be.
That is rare as birds have wings and know how to use them.

The avocet is a large, slim shorebird with a very slender upturned bill. In breeding plumage the head and neck have a pinkish tan or orangey buff colour.

Recurirosta americana

Brewster's warbler

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:02:57 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

The Golden-winged warbler and the Blue-winged warblers hybridize where their ranges overlap.
This results in two types Brewster's and Lawrence's warblers.

The resulting bird has a combination of field marks.

Cerulean warbler - Explored

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:41:10 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

The normal habitat for the Cerulean is high in deciduous forests foraging for insects in the tree tops.
Due to cold weather and a major shortage of insects this Cerulean was foraging on the ground giving bird watchers great looks.
Nice for the birders but stressful for the warbler.
Ceruleans are a small warbler with a short tail. Blue above with white below.

Dendrocia cerulea

The ruby in the ruby crown.

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:24:08 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

This is the first time I had a good look at the ruby colour on the ruby crowned kinglet.
They are fast movers that rapidly hop from branch to branch.
This one was displaying the crown, in full sunlight, and paused long enough for me to get the photo.

Regulus calendula

The bridges of amsterdam

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:09:11 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

We were in Amsterdam for a few days before going off to a wedding.
We did the tourist thing and did the canal tour by boat.
Interesting seeing a city from the water, lots of bridges and houseboats.

Clay coloured sparrow

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:34:23 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

This is one of the many sparrow species we get in Southern Ontario
It is fairly common but this is only the second time in 12 years that we have seen one in the yard.
It is similar to a pale non-breeding chipping sparrow but is buffier and has pale lores (Eyebrows)

It has a sharply outlined ear patch and a gray nape, bold white moustache and a brown rump.

Spizella pallida

The tide came in and the road went out.

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:44:07 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

In New Zealand we found that people drive on the beach to get to recreation areas where there are no roads.

You definitely want to know the tide charts.

And yes we were birding.

Horned grebe

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:15:57 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

We found 6 of these odd little birds on the weekend. I'm sure they didn't know they were lost and in need of being found.

They aren't common on the Great Lakes but the do show up now and again.

During breeding season they have a golden ear patch and a chestnut neck.
This one is not finished moulting

podiceps auritus.

Blue Grosbeak

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:22:43 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

This is a fairly rare bird for southern Ontario. Their normal range is well south of the great lakes so this is a real treat.

This one was in Windsor, Ontario at Ojibway Park.
Photos are through the picture window at the visitor centre.

The bird is a deep dull blue with a thick bill. It has two broad, rusty wing bars.
Passerina caerulea

The Red-head is back

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:55:04 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

The red-headed woodpeckers are back at Rondeau.
This one came to our feeders on April 19th, a bit earlier than other years.
That brilliant red head makes this one easy to identify.

melaneroes erythrocephalus

He's Back

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:19:57 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

The yellow throated warbler is back for the third year.
He showed up 2 days later than last year and went to the same feeder.
A real treat.

dendroica dominica

NEWS FLASH

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:53:24 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

Bear chases dog up utility pole!

A good use for those giant stuffed animals.

A change from all the bird photos. Hope it made you smile.

The Kings Golden Crown

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:46:07 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

He looks angry but with a crown of gold he shouldn't be complaining.
Kinglets tend to be difficult to photograph because they are always flitting around.
This one happened to stay put for about three seconds.

The most obvious field mark is the scarlet stripe on the head. It is a small, stub tailed olive grey bird. It has a boldly striped face and wing bars.

Regulus satrapa

Le Conte's Sparrow

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:23:55 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

This was a rare visitor at Rondeau two years ago.

I like the appearance of the water in the background.

It is mainly a western bird seen on the prairies and boggy fields.

It caused quite a stir and was a one day wonder.

It has a bright orange eyebrow and a buffy breast, a white median crown stripe and strong stripes on the back.

Ammodramus leconteii

Great horned owl chicks

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 06:49:41 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

In a small, and I do mean small, woodlot on the north side of Chatham, a pair of great horned owls have successfully reared a pair of chicks.
The nest is about 12 feet up in a broken tree.
The parents were keeping watch in the tall trees nearby.
Very poor light and rain. Hope to go back on the weekend when they are forecasting better weather.
We are hoping no one harasses the chicks and they get to fledge.

bubo vriginianus

White-breasted nuthatch

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:37:32 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

I love the positions these birds get into. Looks like they are doing yoga.
It is a small bird, just under 6 inches(15cm) in length. It has a black cap and beady black eyes on a white face.
They have a bit of chestnut colour on the undertail coverts.
The call is a distinctive ,nasal, yank,yank,yank.

We get them in our yard year round.

Sitta carolinensis

Who was that masked man?

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:07:11 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

The common yellow throat is one of my favourite warblers.The mask reminds me of the Lone Ranger. Are you old enough to remember the old TV series?
The common yellow throat has a black mask, yellow throat and upper breast.
geothlypis trichas

Song Sparrow

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 07:36:41 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

Song sparrows usually return in the early spring and I think of them as a sign spring is here.

They are a mid sized sparrow with a long rounded tail and heavy streaking on the breast.
The streaking merges into a large central spot.

melospiza melodia

Leucistic mourning dove

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 06:13:23 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

We have had a mourning dove visit the yard a few times and it seems to be leucistic.
The dove in the background has the standard grey colouration.

Zenaida macroura

Cat in a bag.

nobody@flickr.com (ricmcarthur) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 07:38:11 -0700

ricmcarthur posted a photo:

Oz has claimed this shopping bag and when we put it in the recycling he goes into the recycling and sits on it, so out it comes.