Uploads from BigBrotherBear, tagged ef

Canadian Bald Eagle with a Brown Bullhead Catfish

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:09:13 -0700

The first time I saw a Bald Eagle in the wild, it caught a fish and flew to its nest to feed a pair of its young. It was amazing to watch him reposition the fish in his talons mid flight and continue flying with ease without missing a beat. These birds have a massive wingspan of up to 7 ½ feet and they make flying look effortless as they catch the wind and look around for their next meal.

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Spring Shower

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:59:32 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

A lucky shot that turned out exactly as I pictured it in my head. This male Wood Duck was busy washing himself and spraying water all over the place. I slowed down my shutter speed just enough to keep his head sharp but get some blur for his wings and the water droplets that were shooting off his back. These beautifully patterned ducks are always great to take pictures of.

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Sparks

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:40:42 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

One of our first fires of the year and it was so nice to be outside. My cousin, his girlfriend, Katie and I enjoyed warming ourselves around the fire (and sipped a few brews). This spring has decided to stay super cold so on this evening it was really nice to have a fire. I will have to build more of these to hold me over until camping this summer…

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Red Eye

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:05:42 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

Out enjoying the sun and warm weather a few weekends back and this Western Grebe decided to swim right by me. I almost missed him as I was busy trying to get a good photo of a Horned Grebe which was just out of frame as I took this shot.

The Western Grebe is the largest North American grebe. It is black-and-white, with a long, slender, swan-like neck and red eyes. It is easily confused with Clark's Grebe, which shares similar features, body size, behavior and habitat, and hybrids are known. They nest in colonies of hundreds on large inland lakes, sometimes using coastal marshes, in western North America. It has a spectacular courtship display; two birds will rear up and patter across the water's surface. Northern birds migrate west to coastal ocean in winter; birds in the southwest and Mexico may be permanent residents.

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Western Grebe

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:35:16 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

I got the rare chance to see a Western Grebe up close in southern Ontario this morning. I got to Colonel Sam Smith park before sunrise and hoped for the best. The grebe came up nice and close right before I had to leave and it was pretty cool to get a good look at that red eye of his.

The Western Grebe is the largest North American grebe. It is black-and-white, with a long, slender, swan-like neck and red eyes. It is easily confused with Clark's Grebe, which shares similar features, body size, behavior and habitat, and hybrids are known. They nest in colonies of hundreds on large inland lakes, sometimes using coastal marshes, in western North America. It has a spectacular courtship display; two birds will rear up and patter across the water's surface. Northern birds migrate west to coastal ocean in winter; birds in the southwest and Mexico may be permanent residents

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Morning Oldsquaw

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:25:07 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

I caught a shot this Long Tailed Duck flying over to a large group of his own kind on Saturday morning. The lake was calm and peaceful as I walked along the shoreline relaxing and snapping some shots as the wildlife presented itself. I could really get used to this more often.

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Day Fades Away

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:54:34 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

Another successful day of bird photography and the ducks can rest (and be thankful I am not pointing my camera at them anymore).

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Long-Tailed Duck

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:59:14 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

Tons of these guys on lake Ontario lately but it doesnt take away from how striking they look. I was enjoying the warm morning sunshine as this nice male swam by quickly followed by a Red-Breasted Merganser. I am pretty happy the spring weather is on its way back. I can always use some more outside time - especially when the weather works with me.

The Long-tailed Duck is a medium-sized sea duck. Adults have white underparts, though the rest of the plumage goes through a complex moulting process. The male has a long pointed tail (10 to 15 cm) and a dark grey bill crossed by a pink band. In winter, the male has a dark cheek patch on a mainly white head and neck, a dark breast and mostly white body. Their breeding habitat is in tundra pools and marshes, but also along sea coasts and in large mountain lakes in the North Atlantic region, Alaska, northern Canada, northern Europe and Russia. They feed by diving for mollusks, crustaceans and some small fish. Although they usually feed close to the surface, they are capable of diving to depths of 60m (200 feet).

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Red Necked Grebe Up For Air

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 10:44:50 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

I watched the Red-Necked Grebes dive and dance for a few hours this morning while trying to be still sitting on cold wet rocks photographing them. This one popped up from a dive right in front of me and kept and eye on me while I snapped a few shots of him. I really like the water drops on his head and back.

The Red-necked Grebe is a migratory aquatic bird found in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Its wintering habitat is largely restricted to calm waters just beyond the waves around ocean coasts, although some birds may winter on large lakes. Grebes prefer shallow bodies of fresh water such as lakes, marshes or fish-ponds as breeding sites. The Red-necked Grebe is a nondescript dusky-grey bird in winter. During the breeding season, it acquires the distinctive red neck plumage, black cap and contrasting pale grey face from which its name was derived. It also has an elaborate courtship display and a variety of loud mating calls. Once paired, it builds a nest from water plants on top of floating vegetation in a shallow lake or bog.

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Common Goldeneye

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:21:48 -0800

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

I visited Colonel Sam Smith Park for the last few days and was lucky enough to see the Snowy Owl and the Westen Grebe that had been hanging out there. I wasn't happy with either of the photos I got of them so a photo of a Goldeneye was the next on the list.

The Common Goldeneye is a medium-sized sea duck. The species is aptly named for its golden-yellow eye. Adult males have a dark head with a greenish gloss and a circular white patch below the eye, a dark back and a white neck and belly. Adult females have a brown head and a mostly grey body. Their legs and feet are orange-yellow. They are found in the lakes and rivers of boreal forests across Canada and the northern United States, Scandinavia and northern Russia. These diving birds forage underwater. Year-round, about 32% of their prey is crustaceans, 28% is aquatic insects and 10% is molluscs.

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Red on White

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 05:49:19 -0800

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

A soft white blanket of snow covered everything and created a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for a winter hike. A streak of red flashed in front of me and stopped on a nearby branch. This male cardinal arrived with a few other females close behind and paused for a moment, allowing me to get a bunch of high key bird photos. I lucked out with the clean backgound because all around the framed area there were other distractions like sticks or trees. I always wonder how a bird as bright and vibrant as this can blend into the forest and avoid predators. Whatever it is, is working because there are quite a few in my area this winter.

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Eight Point

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 21:50:24 -0800

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

I met with a nice buck that decided to pose for me as I tried to hide behind a leafless bush. I am pretty sure he spotted me almost instantly…

Copyright © 2013, Jason Idzerda

Wise One

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:16:59 -0800

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

After southern Ontario's first big snowfall in almost 2 years, I got my winter clothes on and went out to search for something that would look good in front of the lens. As soon as I left the back door I was spotted three bucks in the tall grass enjoying the morning sunshine so I snapped a few shots and continued through the fresh snow. As I was wandering along one of the many paths this Great Horned Owl flew right over me, landed on a nearby tree, and just watched. When he landed, his back was towards me and I got a great view of how far an owl's head can rotate without the rest of their body moving at all. I made my way around the tree as quietly as I could until there was a nice clear shot from his frontside. I put my eye to the camera and the owl posed perfectly for me. It was a great early Christmas present and I walked away with a smile on my face.

The Great Horned Owl, also known as the Tiger Owl, is a large Owl native to the Americas. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas. Owls have spectacular binocular vision allowing them to pinpoint prey and see in low light. The eyes of Great Horned Owls are nearly as large as those of humans and are immobile within their circular bone sockets. Instead of turning their eyes, they turn their heads. Therefore, their neck must be able to turn a full 270 degrees in order to see in other directions without moving its entire body. These birds hunt at night by waiting on a high perch and swooping down on prey.

Copyright © 2012, Jason Idzerda

Snowbirds in Formation

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 17:44:34 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

Officially known as the Royal Canadian Air Force's 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team whose purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". They are the first Canadian air demonstration team to be designated as a squadron. The Snowbirds were officially authorized to be designated the Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Team on 15 January 1975.

Copyright © 2012, Jason Idzerda

Harvard CN Tower Loop

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:53:34 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

The Harvard Aerobatic Team performs for the 2012 Canadian International Air Show. The three planes here left a large smoke loop in the sky with Toronto in the background for scale.

The Harvard is a Pratt & Whitney powered, dual tandem seated, low winged metal monoplane. It's 600 HP supercharged engine directly drives a 9'1'' metal Hamilton Standard constant speed propeller. This combination of a radial engine and supersonic propeller tips give the Harvard it's distinctive roar.

Copyright © 2012, Jason Idzerda

The Grotto

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:15:36 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

It is an easy hike on the path to the Grotto, but climbing down the rock wall to reach the actual cave can be quite challenging. All the effort scaling the rock wall pays off once you reach the cave. As soon as you step in, the first thing you see is the turquoise blue glow coming up from the water. A submerged cave is allowing the light from outside to travel through the water to the interior of the Grotto. Even though it looks like a very tropical location, it is located in Ontario near Tobermory.

Copyright © 2012, Jason Idzerda

Underwater Fractures

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:49:48 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

On the same morning that I got up for the sunrise, I took quite a few other shots of the shoreline. This is one of the gorgeous landscapes that I came across while walking along the waterfront. Every few steps I took, there was another beautiful view just begging me to photograph. Katie and I easily spent a few hours just enjoing the amazing views all around us.

Copyright © 2012, Jason Idzerda

Morning Light

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:47:09 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

Waking up at 4:30am on your vacation isn't the easiest task but the hope of a perfect photo helps motivate me. I forced myself up out of bed and dragged my wife with me to head out to Halfway Log Dump in the Bruce Peninsula National Park. Spooky sounds in the forest sped up our pace along the 1km hike out to the shoreline and we were relieved to finally make it to the water. I set up my camera and waited for the sun to rise as I could see the pink glow starting to show. Bright light broke the horizon line but didn't last for long. The sun rose up and quickly disappeared into the clouds that brieflly rained on us during the drive up. At the time I was not happy with the photos I got but they grew on me as I remembered the great memories with my wife. It was a great start to a relaxing day that we ended up spending on Sauble Beach. Life is good.

Copyright © 2012, Jason Idzerda

Ancient Formations

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:54:02 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

I have recently discovered the Bruce Peninsula's beauty and some of the most amazing landscapes that I have ever seen. I took a week off to camp with my wife, visit many of the places I have seen such gorgeous photos of, and of course photograph it myself. There are boat tours that will take you out over a couple shipwrecks (you can see them underwater through the glass bottom of the boat) and then over to Flowerpot Island. A few hiking trails on the island will take you out to the natural rock formations and to some pretty cool caves. The flowerpots were formed over thousands of years and the help of wind and water. The rock on top is harder than the rock on the bottom so the lower rock erodes away to create the flowerpot shape. I took a ton of pictures that I will be sure to look at once it is snowy and cold outside this winter.

Flowerpot Island is an island in Georgian Bay and is part of the Fathom Five National Marine Park. It covers an area of 2 square kilometres located just north of Tobermory and the Bruce Peninsula National Park. A third flowerpot once stood but tumbled in 1903.

Copyright © 2012, Jason Idzerda

Dancing Light of the Auroras

nobody@flickr.com (BigBrotherBear) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 13:10:20 -0700

BigBrotherBear posted a photo:

The Northern Lights put on an amazing show while I was camping thanks to some perfectly timed solar flares. I have been waiting for years to get photos of the lights and I finally had the opportunity right at the beginning of my vacation. Sometimes they just hang in place and other times dance around and flicker at a surprising speed. It was a super warm night and one that I will not soon forget.

The auroras are a natural light display in the sky particularly in the high latitude (Arctic and Antarctic) regions, caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere.

Copyright © 2012, Jason Idzerda