Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: denis on December 28, 2009, 06:47:35 PM

Title: amherst trip.
Post by: denis on December 28, 2009, 06:47:35 PM

here,s a few pics from yesterday,s trip to amherst.the boreal owl pics are not very good,as the owl was very concealed,and surrounded by branches.
a hen pheasant.the male ran across the road like a roadrunner!beep.beep!!and didn,t stop for a photo.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4223083499_b3f45b9e8b_o.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4223075997_269f380590_o.jpg)
a little sleeping beauty.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/4223840114_61ce5ee722_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4223839722_03b926fd99_o.jpg)
and of course no trip is complete,whitout a complimentary chickadee
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/4223077269_7bd098b4b1_o.jpg)

Title:
Post by: Murray on December 28, 2009, 07:04:57 PM

I am pretty sure that's a boreal owl.
The beak is black.

Title:
Post by: denis on December 28, 2009, 07:15:31 PM

murray.
my field guide says,saw-whet has a black bill,and boreal has a yellowish bill
denis

Title:
Post by: josullivan on December 28, 2009, 07:20:06 PM

Your owl is definitely a Boreal Owl----quite a find in a non-irruption year and nice photos.

Brendan O'Sullivan
Mississauga

Title:
Post by: denis on December 28, 2009, 07:27:23 PM

thanks for the info guys.i will rename him
denis

Title: Ref:Owl
Post by: JTF on December 28, 2009, 07:42:57 PM

Nice find for the boreal, last year was there 4 year trip to southern ontario. Awesome to see one down this far south again. Heres a boreal from last winter for ID purposes against yours.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3190149686_5a37fc7ed4_o.jpg)

Title:
Post by: denis on December 28, 2009, 07:49:01 PM

thanks paul
i see the resemblance.i only wish i would of had a better angle,with better lighting,like your photo.
denis

Title: Ref: Boreal
Post by: JTF on December 28, 2009, 07:52:59 PM

Was this one in the jack pine plantation in owl woods? If you send that boreal pic to the OFO they will post if for sure.

Title:
Post by: Moira on December 28, 2009, 07:55:00 PM

Nice capture Denis!

Title:
Post by: denis on December 28, 2009, 08:21:11 PM

thanks moira.
paul,it was in the jack pine,as i,m sure you can tell,and i need some more info on OFO?
denis

Title: Ref: Pic
Post by: JTF on December 28, 2009, 08:25:01 PM

Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) is dedicated to the study of bird life in Ontario.
They accept photos of various species out of their normal range etc,  the boreal owl would fit the bill.

 http://www.ofo.ca/photos/photomainpage.php

Title:
Post by: denis on December 28, 2009, 08:36:24 PM

thanks paul
it,s done.
denis

Title:
Post by: Photoman on December 28, 2009, 08:40:21 PM

Very nice shots, I like the shot of the Pheasant, is it a Female Pheasant?

Clemens

Title:
Post by: denis on December 28, 2009, 08:42:53 PM

thanks clemens
yes it,s a hen.there was a male but he darted across the road,and just kept running.
denis

Title:
Post by: ravynne40 on December 28, 2009, 08:49:37 PM

great shots, what is an "non-irruption year"?

Title:
Post by: denis on December 28, 2009, 08:53:10 PM

probably has to do with the number of owls,in correlation,with the mice,vole numbers.i,m sure someone will know for sure.
denis

Title:
Post by: JTF on December 28, 2009, 09:00:02 PM

Most birds migrate on a regular basis and more or less follow a regular route.  However, a number of species which inhabit and spend most of their lives in the tundra or boreal forest in North America irrupt out of their normal wintering grounds every few years.  The Boreal Owl moved south last year in vast numbers which is seems to do every 4 years. Seeing one this year is out of its "Irruption". The irruptions tend to follow food cycles as well, so with owls voles often dictate these movements.

Title:
Post by: Murray on December 28, 2009, 09:21:36 PM

Meant to say white beak originally. I'm jealous, I missed out on the boreal last year.
I guess Amherst is gonna get real busy now!!!!

Title:
Post by: denis on December 29, 2009, 09:45:56 AM

thanks for all that interesting information paul.i,m kinda wishing now,that i would of kept it quiet somewhat.owl woods is gonna be like a boxing day sale at walmart,for the next little while!
denis

Title: Ref: Pics
Post by: JTF on December 29, 2009, 11:12:03 AM

Last year it got crazy over there but most people are good about being quiet etc, theres always a couple of nuts "so to speak" that get carried away. Hard to control that, most non regulars get lost over there anyway even in that small area.

Title:
Post by: Niloc on December 29, 2009, 11:16:53 AM

Awsome work Denis good for you...I plan to make a trip out there soon too seems like the place to be for owls!

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Post by: ravynne40 on December 29, 2009, 01:39:48 PM

Thanks for the information Paul.  There is so much to learn, not just about owls but wildlife in general :)

Title:
Post by: MEGHAN on January 01, 2010, 09:01:37 AM

Denis,
Congrats on a great find and some great pictures.
Meghan

Title:
Post by: denis on January 01, 2010, 02:50:08 PM

thanks meghan
great having the bird experts on here to identify these species which are new to me.
denis