Lime Kiln Trail

Dec 16, 2012

We were looking after Sam, so took him to feed the Chickadees at the Lime Kiln Trail.  This year we had good luck as Sam enjoyed watching "les oiseaux mangent" out of his hand.
 

 It was a cold day, so we hurried on to the kiln.  Sam did not seem to be bothered at all by the cold.

 

Since we were so close, I decided to make a quick detour to the burned area, while the others went back to the car.  At first it was quiet, but soon a Hairy Woodpecker appeared.  It bounced from one tree to the next while I followed.  

Briefly I saw another woodpecker, then a second that I thought were Black-backs.  They quickly took off with me following behind.  Then they flew back towards the first place.  I came back too and saw a few more Hairys.  Then I saw the Black-backed Woodpeckers too.  They did not stick, but I got off a couple of distant shots.

 Suddenly I thought about the family, who must be already at the car.  So I quickly headed back down the trail to meet them.

 

Harlequin Duck

Dec 6, 2012

A Harlequin Duck had been reported at Bate Island, so I pulled in after driving Barbara to work.  I knew it was my lucky day when I saw some birders with scopes.  As I approached, I recognized Chris and Bob, Bruce, Connie and Sami.

The subject bird was far on the Quebec side, actually quite close to the bridge.  I contemplated going to the other side, but did not have the right footwear.  Besides, Connie said that Bruce had just returned from there.  So we contented ourselves with distant views as it dove frequently in the company of Common Goldeneyes.  The experts said that it was a young male, as it did have more white on the face than a typical female.

It was way too far for photos, but some Common Goldeneyes were a bit closer.  Suzanne joined the group and it was a lifer for her.

 

On the way home, I stopped at the Deschenes Rapids lookout, but the Northern Pintail had moved on, leaving a bunch of Mallards and a single American Black Duck.

 

Surprise Northern Pintail

Nov 30, 2012 12:30 pm

We stopped at Lac Deschenes Rapids Lookout ,to check out the waterfowl.  Of course there were lots of Mallards and a few Ring-billed Gulls.  But imagine my surprise to see a male Northern Pintail.  There was also an American Black Duck.