Red-Breasted Merganser and more...

[Palo]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the board and also quite new to wildlife photography. This board has been a big source of inspiration and I would like to give back. I hope you enjoy these photos that were taken in the last two weeks, like I have enjoyed yours.


Red-Breasted Merganser-2013-01-23 Humber Bay Park East



Broad-Winged Hawk-2013-01-16 Richview Square



American Kestrel-2013-01-16 Colonel Samuel Smith Park



Northern Mockingbird-2013-01-15 Eglinton and Caledonia Area


Thx for watching.

[cloaca]

Those are some amazing photos.

Note that the raptor looks like a Red-tailed Hawk to me.   A winter Broad-winged would be exceptional.

[MEGHAN]

Very nice shots you have here

Welcome!!

Meghan

[Palo]

Thanks very much for the warm welcome folks and Meghan I'm a fan of your Snowy Owl shots.  I actually went down to St Catherine's looking for them, but no luck... next time.

Cloaca, you may be right, as I only recently started Birding last Fall. I did walk behind him to take a look at it's tail, because my first thought was that it was a Red-tailed, but did not see any rusty/reddish colour there.  Is there any way I can know for sure, based on the photo?  Your expertise will be very appreciated.  Maybe I should post it in the ID section of the board. Cheers

[thouc]

The dark band across the belly is a good field mark when seen from the front.

[Palo]

Thanks thouc, you're right. I was searching on the net to get more details and the dark band across the belly was mentioned.  Cheers

[Irene]

Welcome! Great shots you have there. I especially like the Merganser!

[Palo]

Thanks Irene, my wife and myself found him at the farthest east point in Humber Bay Park frolicking with a bunch of Buffleheads, Long-tailed Ducks and Greater Scaups.  He was the only male Merganser there at the time and was close enough to get many shots.