Better light today at High Park

[Niloc]

Today I was the closest I have ever come to the lone male Wood Duck lol...lots of other lovely birds about too, Cardinals, Mallards. Black Ducks, Nuthatches yellow and white breasted, Chickadees. American Goldfinches, Robins and even Cedar waxwings (thanks Barry (BC) for pointing them out and it was a pleasure to meet you)...the park is well worth the trip!

http://www.colinmarcano.com/photo4238777.html#photo
http://www.colinmarcano.com/photo4238778.html#photo
http://www.colinmarcano.com/photo4238779.html#photo
http://www.colinmarcano.com/photo4238780.html#photo
http://www.colinmarcano.com/photo4238781.html#photo
http://www.colinmarcano.com/photo4238782.html#photo

[Moira]

Super images - I can't really pick a favourite, as they are some of my favourite birds.  The Wood Duck is stunning; I've yet to get so close.  I love the Cardinal and I don't find them that easy to get a shot of.  You've got to love the look on the Waxwing though and the lighting on the head.  Excellent variety and shots!

[Howieh]

Amazing pictures. Are the male Wood ducks normally in full plumage this time of year? and where exactly in High Park do you spend most of your time? I was hoping to get there today but wasn't free until after 2pm so went to Edward Gardens instead, pretty quiet but I did miss a great photo op of a low flying redtail - wrong place at the wrong time. There was a flock of robins and others across the park from where I was but they all left before I could get close, I think the 'others' were waxwings. I've seen robins and waxwings hanging together many times!

[Niloc]

Thank you for your kind words Moira, the Wood Duck has been adopted by about 40 Mallards so he is always in the Park..there are always Cardinals on the other side of the park near Colborne lodge on the road near the feeders.

[Niloc]

Amazing pictures. Are the male Wood ducks normally in full plumage this time of year? and where exactly in High Park do you spend most of your time? I was hoping to get there today but wasn't free until after 2pm so went to Edward Gardens instead, pretty quiet but I did miss a great photo op of a low flying redtail - wrong place at the wrong time.

Thanks Howieh I was alot happier with the lighting today...not sure how well you know the park but the Wood Duck is located on the West side of the park if you follow Grenedier Pond around to where it snakes into a stream...the stream is the only water body that has not frozen over...if you walk towards Bloor you will see the Ducks gathered around the little pond that forms there is a little bridge and you can see the spillage drain pipes, the pond where the ducks are located are right in front of a little kids play area...as for where I spend time usually where I just described as it is easy acces from the Bloor/High Park subway stop... then I follow the pond right around to the East side near the roadway just north of Colborne Lodge where the feeders are set up, you will always find Cardinals and an abundance of other birds!

[Howieh]

Thanks very much Colin. I'll probably park at the Grenadier(?) restaurant and walk down to the pond, looks like it's just a few minutes walk. Btw, have you been to the spit this winter? I'm still waiting for owl sighting reports before I head down. (lots of walking involved there!)

[Niloc]

Your welcome Howieh, may I recommend the best viewing time is after 11:00am as the sun would have rolled around west enough so as to drop some light on the little pond...as for the Spit I live just 5 minutes away bt car, I know what you mean though about the walking...I figured you need to have your own spot to go to or if your lucky you will meet up with some birders I have been fortunate to meet some great helpfull birders who pointed out the Long Eared Owl last winter, I was there a few weeks ago and saw nothing...Attila from this site scored a great pic of the Snow owl that visits the Spit!

 PS.....If you're driving better to park on Bloor right accross from the Subway stop, when you get out of your car you will see a path that leads into the park it heads south just follow it and look to your right down the hill you will see the little stream that flows out to Grenedier pond just follow that to the bridge and kiddie playground and you will see the Mallards, look close and you will find our little friend - cheers!

[Howieh]

Thanks again, hope to get there next week after the weather starts to moderate, found this on the 'net, should be helpful for getting around HP:

http://www.toronto.ca/parks/highpark/ma ... rk.pdf.pdf

[BC]

I'm glad you found the Cedar Waxwings. I counted eight of them. Lovely shots. Nice to meet you, as well. Get that Winter Wren next time.

[rc2009]

Those are some very sharp shots, great series, well done.

[Niloc]

Thanks RC and BC..