Raccoon in the River

Commonly known as a “trash panda,” this furry Canadian critter is among my favourites to find foraging along the riverside. On this particular morning, it was fishing through the reeds for snails to munch on for breakfast.

A Great Egret touchdown, with elegance of course.

A great egret landing in the Ottawa River

Hoary Marmot

On a spring hike in Waterton Lakes National Park, before the snow had finished melting, I encountered a marmot on a talus slope—a first for me. With his dense, multi-colored coat and striking foot pads, he was, for me, a showstopper!

Wading Eagle

This bald eagle waded along the riverside after fighting for a fish with another mature eagle. With a full belly, it didn’t seem to pay much attention to me as I paddled by in the kayak.

Black-backed Woodpecker

A Back-backed Woodpecker (male) forages away on a red pine, as pieces of bark and snow go flying. Black-backed Woodpeckers are usually found in the north, especially in burned out forests. Many birders from Southern Ontario will travel to Algonquin Provincial Park to try and find these guys as that's usually the furthest south they're spotted. Seeing one a few minutes from home in the Northumberland Forest was a truly special way to start off the new year. Lucky for me, this BBWO was super cooperative, hanging out at eye level and almost filling my frame at times.

Call of the Loon

Nothing is more Canadian than hearing the call of a loon early in the morning by the lake. This loon and I spent the morning calmly drifting on the lake in the midst of a summer heatwave.

Tiny Conqueror

In the kingdom of the Zebra Jumping Spider, all bugs must beware, for this small but mighty predator can and will hunt you down, regardless of your size. This tiny conqueror holds its prey tightly, munching away at its juicy insides, while also warning other bugs to be on the lookout.

Flower Surveillance

A common flower fly perches on a leaf, surveying the garden for its next pollination stop.

Cardinal in the Snow

A male Cardinal sits on a small pine branch as heavy snow falls around it in Southern Ontario.

Really Into It

I captured this photo of the Cedar Waxwing as it was exploring the tree for something to eat. I was walking on a trail in the early morning when I spotted several birds on the tree.

Great Plains Yucca

The Great Plains Yucca is listed as Endangered and Threatened in Alberta. Although it occurs naturally in only two locations in Southern Alberta, a few scattered plants have been found on south-facing coulees above the river bottom in Lethbridge. Papers report that, many decades ago, seeds were planted. A few plants thrived and were visited by their lone pollinator, the Yucca moth. This plant appears to be anthropogenic, but shouldn't be considered cultivated. After years of sporadic attempts to locate a yucca amidst the cacti and the rattlesnakes, finding one in bloom was a treat!

Feeding the family

A female fox makes her way through the forest with a mouthful of food. Her young kits were eagerly awaiting near a den further back in the woods.

Canada Jay Keeps it’s Chin Up

Like many, I can get the winter blues, but birding helps to keep my chin up until the spring thaw. It’s always a joy to spot a Canada Jay like this one on a frigid winter day.

Catch of the Day

Perched on a lichen-covered rock on the lake shore, this Osprey displays its catch of the day: a massive rainbow trout. With its powerful ratcheting claws sunk deeply in its dinner, the Osprey now faced a new dilemma: how to get its claws out of its meal. The Osprey flapped its wings and lifted the fish off the rock several times in an attempt to release its meal, with little success.

Queen of the Ice

A Snowy Owl relocates along a shelf of ice on Lake Ontario. In its talons is a long-tailed duck it had just pounced on and was in the process of eating. Every year, the area sees a few Snowy Owls call the shores of Lake Ontario home for the winter.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I captured this shot of the hummingbird in my back yard garden. It was enjoying the nectar of the Salvia flower.

Riverside Owl

Came across this juvenile great horned owl while paddling a local river on Canada Day. It was surprised to see me come around the river bend and didn’t stay perched for long. I managed to snap this photo before it disappeared into the woods. A great Canada Day surprise!

Barn swallows in parkade

Photographed in Delta, BC in parkade. The area is developing as residential and still has many barns, however, this family settled on the parkade.

Raccoon in the River

Commonly known as a “trash panda,” this furry Canadian critter is among my favourites to find foraging along the riverside. On this particular morning, it was fishing through the reeds for snails to munch on for breakfast.

A Great Egret touchdown, with elegance of course.

A great egret landing in the Ottawa River

Hoary Marmot

On a spring hike in Waterton Lakes National Park, before the snow had finished melting, I encountered a marmot on a talus slope—a first for me. With his dense, multi-colored coat and striking foot pads, he was, for me, a showstopper!

Wading Eagle

This bald eagle waded along the riverside after fighting for a fish with another mature eagle. With a full belly, it didn’t seem to pay much attention to me as I paddled by in the kayak.

Black-backed Woodpecker

A Back-backed Woodpecker (male) forages away on a red pine, as pieces of bark and snow go flying. Black-backed Woodpeckers are usually found in the north, especially in burned out forests. Many birders from Southern Ontario will travel to Algonquin Provincial Park to try and find these guys as that's usually the furthest south they're spotted. Seeing one a few minutes from home in the Northumberland Forest was a truly special way to start off the new year. Lucky for me, this BBWO was super cooperative, hanging out at eye level and almost filling my frame at times.

Call of the Loon

Nothing is more Canadian than hearing the call of a loon early in the morning by the lake. This loon and I spent the morning calmly drifting on the lake in the midst of a summer heatwave.

Tiny Conqueror

In the kingdom of the Zebra Jumping Spider, all bugs must beware, for this small but mighty predator can and will hunt you down, regardless of your size. This tiny conqueror holds its prey tightly, munching away at its juicy insides, while also warning other bugs to be on the lookout.

Flower Surveillance

A common flower fly perches on a leaf, surveying the garden for its next pollination stop.

Cardinal in the Snow

A male Cardinal sits on a small pine branch as heavy snow falls around it in Southern Ontario.

Really Into It

I captured this photo of the Cedar Waxwing as it was exploring the tree for something to eat. I was walking on a trail in the early morning when I spotted several birds on the tree.

Great Plains Yucca

The Great Plains Yucca is listed as Endangered and Threatened in Alberta. Although it occurs naturally in only two locations in Southern Alberta, a few scattered plants have been found on south-facing coulees above the river bottom in Lethbridge. Papers report that, many decades ago, seeds were planted. A few plants thrived and were visited by their lone pollinator, the Yucca moth. This plant appears to be anthropogenic, but shouldn't be considered cultivated. After years of sporadic attempts to locate a yucca amidst the cacti and the rattlesnakes, finding one in bloom was a treat!

Feeding the family

A female fox makes her way through the forest with a mouthful of food. Her young kits were eagerly awaiting near a den further back in the woods.

Canada Jay Keeps it’s Chin Up

Like many, I can get the winter blues, but birding helps to keep my chin up until the spring thaw. It’s always a joy to spot a Canada Jay like this one on a frigid winter day.

Catch of the Day

Perched on a lichen-covered rock on the lake shore, this Osprey displays its catch of the day: a massive rainbow trout. With its powerful ratcheting claws sunk deeply in its dinner, the Osprey now faced a new dilemma: how to get its claws out of its meal. The Osprey flapped its wings and lifted the fish off the rock several times in an attempt to release its meal, with little success.

Queen of the Ice

A Snowy Owl relocates along a shelf of ice on Lake Ontario. In its talons is a long-tailed duck it had just pounced on and was in the process of eating. Every year, the area sees a few Snowy Owls call the shores of Lake Ontario home for the winter.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I captured this shot of the hummingbird in my back yard garden. It was enjoying the nectar of the Salvia flower.

Riverside Owl

Came across this juvenile great horned owl while paddling a local river on Canada Day. It was surprised to see me come around the river bend and didn’t stay perched for long. I managed to snap this photo before it disappeared into the woods. A great Canada Day surprise!

Barn swallows in parkade

Photographed in Delta, BC in parkade. The area is developing as residential and still has many barns, however, this family settled on the parkade.