Northern Sh....

[Rotarran]

...rike at Samuel Smith.  Saw another birder hone in on its call and then a nice couple pointed out to me that a Mockingbird was atop a tall tree.  I thanked them and told them it was the Northern Shrike.  Also caught a glimpse of one its victims hanging from some branches.






...oveller at Humber Bay East.  After spending some time at Samuel Smith trying to get the Western Grebe and the Harlequin, I headed over to my traditional stop-over at Humber Bay East where I have always had good luck and found these guys hanging out:

[Palo]

Two great finds Rotarren! The Shoveler is definitely on my list to check out.  Thx and congrats

[Rotarran]

I find that the Shoveler tends to hang out with Gadwalls and Mallards which they kinda blend in with from a distance (especially Mallards).  From the distance they were I thought they were Mallards until I zoomed in on them and could tell that something was different about them.  Their heads were under water looking for food so I didn't see their distinctive large bill right away.  So just by their colouring of their bodies I thought they might be some kind of Mallard hybrids.  Good thing I was patient because once their heads popped up, I knew they were Shovelers.  Unmistakable lol.

[sunnywstam]

Nice Pictures!