The Last Couple of Weeks... or so

[Palo]

Hi Folks,

Once again, work is taking up almost all of my birding time and getting here has been difficult.  However, I've been sneaking out for an hour here and there.  And here are some moments I thought were interesting, in chronological order.

Black-crowned Night-Heron 2013-03-21 DVP and Queen Street - A first for me.
Thx Rotarren!  I have to go back on a better day.


Red-tailed Hawk 2013-03-22 Downsview Park - That day I photographed three RTH up close... Great place.


Red-bellied Woodpecker 2013-03-23 James Gardens


Ring-billed Gull 2013-03-24 Col Sam Smith Park


Red-necked Grebe 2013-03-24 Col Sam Smith Park - This was the closest I got to him.


Mute Swam 2013-03-25 Ashbridges Bay Park


Red-tailed Hawk 2013-03-26 Downsview Park - Again, a great place for Hawks.


Barred Owl 2013-03-27 Halls Rd - A first for me.




Cedar Waxwing 2013-03-27 Halls Rd - Another first for me.


This one came right next to my feet to have a drink... Very friendly.


And last but not least...
Brown-headed Cowbird 2013-03-27 Halls Rd - Also another first for me.



Thx for watching

[Andygod]

Wonderful pictures, I am hoping to find a good variety today with the nice weather.

[cosmo3667]

I must of missed you on the Hall's road visist as I was that day too and took photo's of the Owl and Cedar waxwing

[Palo]

Wonderful pictures, I am hoping to find a good variety today with the nice weather.

Thx Andy, I hope you had a great day!

I must of missed you on the Hall's road visist as I was that day too and took photo's of the Owl and Cedar waxwing

I was with my wife and we ran into a gentleman and had a brief conversation.  Was that you?

[Rotarran]

Nice pics Palo.  I like the Brown Headed Cowbird.  I see them everywhere now but still can't get a decent picture lol.

[Palo]

Nice pics Palo.  I like the Brown Headed Cowbird.  I see them everywhere now but still can't get a decent picture lol.

I haven't seen one since the last time we were out.  But they are surprisingly skittish.

[Rotarran]

Keep an eye out for large flocks of Blackbirds, Grackles and Starlings.  Usually there are a few BHCB among them.  I would say in a flock of 100 there are:
- 40 to 50 Starlings
- 20 to 30 RWBB
- 10 to 20 Common Grackles
- 5 to 10 BHCB

[Andygod]

How come there are so many red winged blackbirds and I don't see any pictures of them.  I know they get a bit annoying, but they are a beautiful bird and I thought I was the only one who could never get a good picture.

[cosmo3667]

Wonderful pictures, I am hoping to find a good variety today with the nice weather.

Thx Andy, I hope you had a great day!

I must of missed you on the Hall's road visist as I was that day too and took photo's of the Owl and Cedar waxwing

I was with my wife and we ran into a gentleman and had a brief conversation.  Was that you?

don't think so only spoke to a guy with a camera big lens tripod and big bag on his back standing below the tree with the owl

[Palo]

Keep an eye out for large flocks of Blackbirds, Grackles and Starlings.  Usually there are a few BHCB among them.  I would say in a flock of 100 there are:
- 40 to 50 Starlings
- 20 to 30 RWBB
- 10 to 20 Common Grackles
- 5 to 10 BHCB

I've actually started doing that and with the gull also.  I find gulls to be difficult though.  Thx

How come there are so many red winged blackbirds and I don't see any pictures of them.  I know they get a bit annoying, but they are a beautiful bird and I thought I was the only one who could never get a good picture.

I guess because they a quite common now.  However, I've actually posted one almost two weeks ago when I first spotted them in James Garden and I don't find them annoying one bit.  I also have dozens more on my harddrive. Cheers

don't think so only spoke to a guy with a camera big lens tripod and big bag on his back standing below the tree with the owl

Well, I'm sure we run into to each other very soon.  Happy birding

[Rotarran]

How come there are so many red winged blackbirds and I don't see any pictures of them.  I know they get a bit annoying, but they are a beautiful bird and I thought I was the only one who could never get a good picture.

I don't find them annoying but they are extremely common so I guess there is never any sense of urgency to get a picture of them.  Similar to the House Sparrow and Chickadee.  All very beautiful birds, but being so common, we do tend to take them for granted when it comes to photos.

Although, yeah they would make easy targets for practice photos and more artistic photography.