The Best System For Carrying Your Camera

When it comes to digital cameras these days the technology is constantly improving. Buy a camera today and in what seems like a few months the manufacturers have released something with more bells and whistles. More megapixels, better autofocus, and built-in Wifi are just a few of the things that seem to be included as cameras models are upgraded. One part of the camera that has yet to be improved on in decades by the manufacturer is the strap.

IMG 5489 Edit 2 2 - The Best System For Carrying Your Camera — **Birds like the Barn Swallow do not often stay perched for long. The Cotton Carrier camera carrying system allows me to access my camera quickly.**

The factory strap is better than no strap at all, I’ll give the manufacturers that, but is still something I recommend anyone with a camera, especially those who do a lot of hiking while photographing birds and nature upgrade. Not having the weight of a camera and lens swinging from my neck has certainly made my time in the field more enjoyable and less painful. Even a light DLSR and kit lens begins to feel quite heavy after a few hours of walking resulting in a sore neck at the end of the day.

IMG 2068 Edit Edit - The Best System For Carrying Your Camera — **When out hiking having a camera that is at the ready and easily accessible will help you capture more images of wildlife.**

Over the years I have tried several different systems from harnesses to straps for carrying my camera with varying degrees of satisfaction. Most I found were not much better than what came with the camera while others like one very popular shoulder strap on the market only transferred the weight from my neck to my shoulder thus transferring the pain with it. Furthermore, I found that a shoulder strap with the weight of a camera attached caused that shoulder to sit lower than the other. This may not seem like a big deal but as someone who has had back surgery being even slightly off-kilter induced or exacerbated back pain negatively impacting my outing. After spending a considerable amount of money and amassing quite the collection of straps and harnesses, I finally settled on the Cotton Carrier carrying system.

48616841062 b91bf9f10a b - The Best System For Carrying Your Camera — **Regardless of whether it’s a fast or slow-moving subject, a comfortable carrying system makes photography even more enjoyable.**

I fully admit my own frugalness prevented me from buying the Cotton Carrier first as they are not inexpensive. However, if I added up all the money I spent on substandard camera carrying systems I could have bought a Cotton Carrier and a bunch of other cool accessories for my camera. Lesson learned. It has been over six years with near-daily use and my Cotton Carrier still looks like it did when I took it out of the box save for a few frays on the strapping. The Cotton Carrier is incredibly durable.

IMG 5048 Edit Edit - The Best System For Carrying Your Camera — **With the Cotton Carrier, I can easily access my camera and slowly raise it to my eye thus not startling wary subjects.**

Using the Cotton Carrier is incredibly easy. It simply goes on over your head while a strap wraps around behind your back buckling at your side securing it in place. Everything is fully adjustable ensuring a comfortable fit. A small aluminum hub threads into the bottom of any camera then fits into the camera mount on the front of the Cotton Carrier. As a result, the weight of the camera and lens is distributed evenly over both shoulders, not just one and not your neck. The unique part of this hub system is the camera has to be rotated 90 degrees to get it out of the mount. This ensures the camera does not fall out while hiking. There is also a velcro strap you can put over the lens further securing the camera in place guaranteeing it will not move or swing.

49092840372 d132cf0162 o - The Best System For Carrying Your Camera — **Even a light camera and lens puts a strain on your neck when carried with the factory strap.**

There are some amazing videos online of people downhill skiing, mountain biking, and even doing flips on a trampoline with a camera secured in a Cotton Carrier. Also included with the Cotton Carrier system is a safety strap preventing your camera from hitting the ground in case it slips out of your hands when removing it from the mount or snapping photos. This feature has saved my camera and lens on a couple of occasions.

48360854801 6764c8e243 o - The Best System For Carrying Your Camera — **Eastern Chipmunk photographed moments after removing my camera from the Cotton Carrier.**

My camera and telephoto lens weigh just over 5 lbs which may not seem like much, but over the course of several hours or even a full day at Point Pelee or Rondeau during spring migration 5 lbs feels like a ton especially if that weight was around my neck or on one shoulder. With my Cotton Carrier, I hardly notice this weight at all as it is distributed evenly across my shoulders. My camera does not swing around and it is right in front of me at the ready when a shot presents itself.

48953763183 936fa6694d b - The Best System For Carrying Your Camera — **In situations where I may want to photograph landscapes as well as wildlife, like during the fall when the leaves are changing, I like to carry two cameras.**

I have since purchased the Cotton Carrier Wanderer which allows me to carry a second camera body. Why do I carry a second camera body you ask? I don’t all the time but in situations where I may want to photograph landscapes as well as wildlife I do. In these instances, my second DSLR and wide-angle lens are stowed in the Wanderer. I used to carry a series of shorter lenses in my backpack and would switch between my telephoto and something more suited to landscape photography but inevitably as soon as I switched to the shorter lens a great wildlife situation would present itself and unfortunately I would miss the shot as a 10-18 mm lens obviously lacked the required reach, thus the two camera approach.

If you are unhappy with your camera strap and are tired with the strain it puts on your neck or shoulder consider switching to a Cotton Carrier system. Don’t let the price intimidate you like I did as this system is worth every penny. I can honestly say that the Cotton Carrier is by far the best accessory I have purchased for my camera. With it, I can spend as much time as I want in the field enjoying my favourite pastime and am never left with a sore neck. My only regret about the Cotton Carrier is that I did not buy it first before wasting all that money on all those other straps. I think if you give the Cotton Carrier a try you will agree that this is the best system for carrying your camera.

Good birding,
Paul

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Birding Close To Home Is Often A Fine Choice

With so many great birding destinations around Southwestern Ontario, it’s often hard to pick one. Visiting a nearby provincial park or other birding hotspot is always an adventure, but what if you simply can’t make time? Fortunately, regardless of where you live great birding exists close to home.

Working from home, I make my own schedule and therefore try to combine a walk with birding into every day. The physical and mental health benefits of this are immeasurable and the days when I get out birding are far more productive than when I don’t. For me, this just makes sense and I’m fortunate my job affords me this opportunity.

IMG 6263 Edit 2 Edit - Birding Close To Home Is Often A Fine Choice — **Mallards are always present in the small pond close to home.**

Currently, where I reside in Northeast London I am a five-minute walk from a city park and pathway that runs along Stoney Creek. This is where I head most mornings for my daily walk and fix of birds. Despite being located in a heavily populated urban subdivision, this gem has an abundance of nature within the well-wooded area and accompanying pond adjacent to the creek. If not for the distant road noise to the east it would be easy to forget I’m in the city only minutes from home.

IMG 5937 Edit Edit 2 - Birding Close To Home Is Often A Fine Choice — **While birding along Stoney Creek recently, I found a nice flock of House Finches.**

Not being one to drive hundreds of kilometers to chase down a lifer or observe a rarity that somehow winds up on the wrong side of the continent, birding close to home is right up my alley. I am far happier watching and listening to a cardinal and other common birds in a quiet serene atmosphere close to home than standing shoulder to shoulder with dozens of others trying to catch a glimpse of a bird I heard about online. Battling traffic for a chance to see a species that may or may not still be present by the time I arrive has little appeal. For me, birding is about releasing stress, staying active, and connecting with nature; therefore, a big year is likely not in my future.

IMG 6291 Edit Edit - Birding Close To Home Is Often A Fine Choice — **Squirrels at the local park are abundant and by the looks of things, their numbers will soon be on the rise.**

In roughly an hour, I can navigate the path along Stoney Creek tallying several bird species by sight or sound. Mammals are often observed with deer, muskrats, and beaver having been recorded. Sometimes I slow down to take more pictures, but I still get back to my desk to put in another solid hour of work before lunch. As mentioned earlier, this final hour of the morning and remainder of my work day are far more productive than if I stay at my desk with my nose to the grindstone.

IMG 6174 Edit Edit 2 - Birding Close To Home Is Often A Fine Choice — **The dense cover along Stoney Creek provided quality camouflage for a Cooper’s Hawk**

More notable birds are also observed on my morning walks. Cooper’s Hawks have nested in one of the woodlots the previous two years and I had close views of one just last week perched deep in a thicket. A Belted Kingfisher has recently been seen and heard, albeit briefly moving up and down the creek. Wild Turkeys are often spotted and during migration, the variety of species present naturally increases.

IMG 5762 Edit Edit 2 - Birding Close To Home Is Often A Fine Choice — **Dark-eyed Juncos are one of the many common birds you can expect to find in city parks.**

For anyone interested, this path runs from Windermere Road to just south of Fanshawe Park Road as well as through Hastings Park. There is no parking lot but street parking is available with several access points from the surrounding neighbourhood. I wouldn’t necessarily consider this a birding destination; however, if you live in the area it’s worth checking out. Many of my daily posts on Facebook and Instagram feature images taken from along Stoney Creek.

The above map shows the area along Stoney Creek where I enjoy my morning walks and my daily fix of birds. Zoom out to see the path along the creek.

IMG 5971 Edit 2 Edit - Birding Close To Home Is Often A Fine Choice — **You don’t have to go far to find an abundance of wildlife. With the price of gas these days, birding close to home is a fine option.**

Regardless of where you live, a similar area is likely within walking distance of your home providing you the opportunity to get out and enjoy birding and nature on short notice. Finding a location near you is quite easy, simply pull up a Google map and zoom in on your area. Parks and green spaces are aptly shaded in green and designated paths are marked with a broken line. Locating a similar area near you may be just what you need in order to stay active, spend more time outdoors, enjoy the winter months, or simply get out birding more often. These natural areas in the middle of our neighbourhoods are absolute gems and if visited I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the abundance of wildlife present so close to home.

Good birding,
Paul

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Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers

When it comes to woodpeckers, the Downy and Hairy are almost identical in appearance. Both reside across our area with the Downy being more abundant and the one most often seen at backyard feeders. There are several ways to correctly identify each bird, but one is by far the easiest.

IMG 5438 Edit Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **Size is one way to correctly identify Hairy (pictured here) and Downy Woodpeckers. However, when seen at a distance or not side-by-side for comparison this can pose a challenge.**

Some may argue that size is the most obvious difference between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers with the former measuring 6-1/2″ in length and the latter 9-1/2″. Agreed, a 3″ size difference when it comes to birds is substantial; however, when seen at a distance or not side-by-side this can still leave many unsure.

IMG 0561 Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **Downy Woodpecker**

Identifying each bird by their call is another way to tell the difference between a Downy and a Hairy. However, many birders and nature enthusiasts are just not comfortable relying on sound, besides what if the bird is seen and not heard? Learning to identify birds by ear takes quite a bit of practice and is more time consuming than the method I am going to share.

IMG 5209 Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **The black spots on the outer tailfeathers of this Downy Woodpecker clearly visible in this photo are not always easy to see; therefore, this is not the most reliable field mark to look for.**

Looking carefully at their plumage is another option for correctly deciphering between a Downy and Hairy. Both woodpeckers have white outer tail feathers with the Downy displaying black spots on their outer tail feathers while the Hairy’s are plain white. The male Downy and Hairy each display a patch of red on the back of their heads with the Hairy’s being divided in two by a black line. Seeing these characteristics while in the field even with quality binoculars can be a challenge to say the least.

IMG 3459 1 - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — Bill length is by far the easiest way, in my opinion, to tell the difference between these similar woodpeckers. In this photo of a Hairy Woodpecker, you can see the bill is roughly the same length as the bird’s head.

By now you might be feeling overwhelmed and doubting your confidence to correctly identify these similar woodpeckers. Let me reassure you it is not that difficult. The easiest way to identify a Downy or Hairy is to look at the length of their bill. The Downy Woodpecker has a much shorter bill roughly 1/3 the length of the bird’s head while the Hairy’s bill is nearly the same length as its head. Even when these birds are pressed against a tree they will often pause with their heads pulled back long enough to get a look at their bill. Quickly size it up in relation to their head and just like that, you have a positive identification.

IMG 5399 Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers

In the above photo, three of the field marks I mentioned previously can be seen on this Hairy Woodpecker. Note the lack of black spots on the bird’s outer tail feathers. Also visible is the black line that divides the red patch on the back of this male bird’s head. However, the length of the bird’s bill is by far the easiest field mark to see. Sizing it up with the bird’s head shows that it’s roughly the same length, thus correctly identifying this woodpecker as a Hairy.

IMG 5286 Edit 2 Edit 1 - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers

IMG 5487 Edit Edit Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **Nearly identical in appearance, the Hairy Woodpecker’s bill (top) is significantly longer than the Downy’s (bottom).**

Next time you come across a woodpecker and find yourself asking Downy or Hairy? take a look at the bird’s bill. If the bill is roughly the same length as the bird’s head it’s a Hairy, if the bill is shorter than the bird’s head it’s a Downy. Remembering this simple tip will help you quickly and accurately identify these similar woodpeckers.

Good birding,
Paul

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Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species

Last weekend I traveled to Sauble Beach to celebrate a family member’s birthday. Only there for one night, I wasn’t planning on birding but hoped to maybe visit nearby Sauble Falls located just down the road. The weather forecast for the weekend looked less than ideal with rain, flurries, and strong west winds off Lake Huron predicted.

IMG 4578 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **The recent rain forced the water of the Sauble River over its banks cascading between this series of rocks.**

On Saturday afternoon the precipitation let up and the group of us piled in the car and made the five-minute drive to Sauble Falls. The Sauble River was high and flowing fast with recent rain and runoff adding to the river’s volume. The falls themselves were quite impressive watching and listening to the force of the water. Wanting to focus more on time with the family and not wandering off alone with my camera, I made the decision to leave my camera back at the house. We had a great time exploring the banks of the river and the adjacent Sauble Falls Provincial Park.

IMG 4732 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **Watching the fish leap out of the water and up the falls was an amazing experience.**

As we made our way to the falls, we could see several salmon and rainbow trout in the turbulent water. After watching for a few minutes, several fish began leaping into the air trying to ascend the falls. Each autumn, trout and salmon migrate from the Great Lakes up rivers to spawn with salmon subsequently dying having completed their life cycle. Trout, on the other hand, won’t spawn until late winter or spring but often enter the rivers early with some theories suggesting they follow the salmon to feed on their eggs while making the epic journey upstream. Trout are able to spawn several times and can make return trips upstream each year to spawn returning to the lake afterward. These runs of salmon and trout as they are often referred involve the fish barrelling their way through obstacles including waterfalls and other obstructions along the way.

IMG 4609 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **Watching the salmon and trout make their way up this staircase of flowing water was an impressive sight.**

The plan for Sunday involved me driving back to London by myself, so it quickly became my intention to return to Sauble Falls with my camera before heading home to try to capture this incredible spectacle along with some images of this beautiful landscape.

IMG 4672 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **Salmon battling the strong current.**

On Sunday, I returned to Sauble Falls this time armed with my camera and several lenses. I was excited to try capturing images of the salmon and trout, something I had never attempted before. Since I was planning on photographing the falls itself as well as the fish, I brought with me my Canon 18-55mm kit lens and my Canon 10-18mm wide-angle lens. Also in my bag was my Canon 55-250mm and my trusty 100-400mm. Due to the proximity at which I could view the fish and the narrow river, my 100-400mm stayed in the bag as it provided too much reach, something most wildlife photographers rarely encounter.

IMG 4594 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **Sauble Falls**

After taking a few photos of the falls from the north side of the Sauble River, I made my way over the footbridge to the base of the falls on the south side where we had great views of trout and salmon trying to get up the falls the previous day. To my delight, right next to the bank in a calm pool of water, three salmon were staging getting ready to make their move up the falls. I took a few test shots of the water and adjusted my settings to dial in my exposure. To photograph the fish, I used aperture priority mode with my aperture set at f6.3 and my ISO at 1250 due to the poor light conditions created by the heavy cloud cover. I also used +1 stop of exposure compensation to properly expose the white water. These settings resulted in a shutter speed of 1/1250.

IMG 4685 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **The sheer number of fish at the base of the falls gave me plenty of chances to capture them in action.**

Just downstream from the falls several anglers were seen drifting their baits below floats in an effort to catch the fish. One fisherman I spoke to was successful as he had a beautiful female rainbow trout on a stringer and was heading home to clean his catch and warm up.

IMG 4724 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **This Herring Gull appeared to be waiting for an opportunity at an easy meal.**

Once an avid fisherman before getting so serious into photography, I was enthralled by the activity and quantity of the fish. To be honest, I almost completely tuned out the birds in the area. A lone Herring Gull was observed on the same rock at the base of the falls both days, I assume hoping to feed on one of the salmon that will eventually meet their demise after they spawn. A female Common Merganser was also present Saturday and Sunday on the river. American Robins, Dark-eyed Juncos and Golden-crowned Kinglets were seen and heard from the surrounding trees and shrubs. The day before as I arrived in town, I observed a Common Raven scavenging at the side of the road.

IMG 4787 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **A boardwalk and series of lookouts provide great views of Sauble Falls.**

The scenery surrounding Sauble Falls was quite beautiful. A mix of birch, pine, cedar, spruce, hemlock, and tamarack trees line the banks of the river while the water cascaded over a series of boulders and rock shelves. This landscape would make for great photos year-round, but especially when the fall colours peak and perhaps even in winter when snow and ice potentially cover portions of the falls.

IMG 4711 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **Fish were constantly leaping out of the water in an effort to climb the falls.**

I was thoroughly impressed with my visit to Sauble Falls. The birthday celebration was outstanding and the falls and surrounding landscape are quite stunning. My only wish is that I had more time to explore. I only spent about an hour taking photos as I had a long drive ahead of me. I’m sure if I devoted more time to birding in the nearby forests I could have discovered more birds and maybe even other waterfowl in the slower moving water upstream from the falls. For those of you who are campers, Sauble Falls Provincial Park has some large, well-treed campsites with hydro overlooking the river that would be worth looking into for next season.

IMG 4778 Edit Edit - Sauble Falls Poses An Outstanding Opportunity To Photograph A New Species — **Sauble Falls**

If I ever find myself in the area again, I will definitely be stopping at Sauble Falls. A visit to this location at any time of year is sure to be rewarding based on the scenery alone. Throw in a few birds and even some fish making their way upstream to spawn and you have the recipe for an outstanding day.

Good birding,
Paul

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Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park

Wanting somewhere to bird and paddle close to home, Pinery Provincial Park seemed like the perfect destination. After strapping my 14′ Prospector pack boat by Swift Canoe and Kayak to the top of my car, loading my camera and lenses, and packing a lunch, I hit the road. Having not visited the Pinery in roughly 25 years, I was excited about the possibilities of exploring somewhere new.

IMG 3998 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Among the waterfowl present was this Hooded Merganser.**

Arriving at the park just after 9 a.m. I was greeted by blue skies. I glanced down at the dash thermometer which read 3 degrees Celcius. A cool start to the day no doubt but that was okay as I brought plenty of layers to choose from. After showing my Ontario Parks annual vehicle permit at the gatehouse, I slowly made my way into the park. Immediately on my left, a male Eastern Towhee flitted through the thick shrubs lining the road while two Hermit Thrushes scattered to my right. I was pretty excited about the towhee sighting and was hoping this was a sign of things to come.

IMG 3954 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **If not for its revealing call, this Gray Catbird likely would have gone unnoticed.**

I meandered through the park and came to the canoe launch. As I exited my vehicle, Blue Jays could be heard calling while several White-throated Sparrows moved along the forest floor adjacent to the river bank. A lone Gray Catbird disclosed its location in a dogwood by letting out its cat-like meow call. After getting my boat off the car and all my gear loaded on board I was ready to start paddling. Heading north along the Old Ausable Channel I decided to stick the west side. Not only would this provide the best light for photos, paddling in the sunshine was much more comfortable on this chilly morning.

IMG 4100 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Large numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers were observed throughout the park.**

Making my way along, several more songbirds could be heard including White-breasted Nuthatches, American Goldfinches, and Black-capped Chickadees. Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were abundant as they moved through the trees along the water’s edge. Hearing a splash, I looked to my left to see four Wood Ducks taking flight from underneath an oak tree; not surprising considering acorns are a favourite food of this waterfowl.

IMG 3701 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Red-headed Woodpeckers were certainly a highlight of my recent visit to Pinery Provincial Park.**

As I continued to paddle, I remembered my Dad taking me canoeing at the Pinery as a kid and seeing a Red-headed Woodpecker. The dead trees on the west side of the river looked just as I remembered them so many years ago. I scanned up and down them as this is where I had seen the rare woodpecker more than two decades earlier. Not alerted by sound or movement, I noticed what looked like the large white wing patches of a Red-headed Woodpecker high up on a broken-off tree trunk. Resting my paddle across the gunwales I coasted along fixated on the tree. Sure enough, it was a Red-headed Woodpecker. Raising my camera I captured several images of this bird. I watched as the bird flew back and forth between the dead tree and live oaks returning with what appeared to be acorns. From what I could tell the bird was caching the nuts in the loose bark and crevices of the deceased tree. Making my way further north, another one of these beautiful woodpeckers came into view, this time a juvenile bird lacking the red head.

IMG 0369 Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **This Osprey was one of several birds of prey observed while paddling at Pinery Provincial Park.**

Happy with this observation I continued north. Up ahead, an Osprey took flight and was coming straight at me. I managed to capture several images as the bird passed by. Other birds of prey present on this day were several Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Turkey Vultures all clearly migrating as they made their way south through the park.

IMG 3410 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Wood Ducks were prevalent on this day; however, getting close enough for a quality shot was impossible.**

As I rounded the next bend another small group of Wood Ducks was seen resting on a fallen log. I managed to capture a distant shot before they took flight. On this day I saw more Wood Ducks than I have anywhere else in a long time but getting close enough to these skittish birds for a quality shot was impossible.

IMG 3540 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Great Blue Heron**

Next, a Great Blue Heron preening on a dead branch caught my eye. Having paddled this 2.5-mile section of the river, I reached the culvert at the end of the channel. A Red Squirrel chattered as it moved through the fallen leaves and jumped up into the cedars while the chuck, chuck, chuck call of an Eastern Chipmunk could also be heard.

IMG 3742 Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Painted Turtle basking on a fallen log.**

Now afternoon, a strong south breeze had picked up as predicted. Battling a headwind on the way back I was happy to have my 5 lb folding anchor on board so I could quietly slip this over this side and continue to take pictures without losing ground. Despite a rather cool wind, the afternoon sun was warm enough to draw Painted Turtles out of the water as I saw several basking on fallen logs.

IMG 3868 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Wild Turkey**

Continuing south in the direction of my car, three Wild Turkeys made their way through the tall grasses of the shoreline. Pausing to take pictures, the south breeze was quite appreciated as it pushed me along at the same rate of travel as the turkeys affording me the opportunity to capture several images.

IMG 4239 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **I was rather excited to capture images of this Tufted Titmouse, a species I had yet to photograph.**

With my paddling complete and my pack boat secured to the top of my car, I decided to hike a couple of the trails Pinery Provincial Park has to offer. I started at the Cedar Trail behind the Visitor Centre. Here I was delighted to see several Tufted Titmice. This is a bird I don’t see too often but I know is regularly observed by others within the park. Even more exciting, one of the birds perched nearby allowing me to capture several images of this species I had not previously photographed. Golden-crowned Kinglets and Hermit Thrushes were also readily seen from the Cedar Trail.

IMG 4089 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Eastern Phoebe**

Having completed the 2.3 km Cedar Trail, I made my way over to the Heritage Trail. Immediately upon entering the trail I could see an abundance of Hermit Thrushes and a less common Wood Thrush. Winter Wrens, Blue Jays, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were also seen as I navigated my way through the forest. What I really enjoyed about this trail is the wooden observation platform looking out over the Old Ausable Channel. From here, I located two Eastern Phoebes as they moved from limb to limb just above the surface of the water. Higher up in the treetops were more Yellow-rumped Warblers. As I was heading back to my car passing through a section of small White Pine trees, I flushed a Roughed Grouse.

IMG 4245 Edit Edit - Fall Birding And Paddling At Pinery Provincial Park — **Tufted Titmouse**

With daylight and my energy level dwindling, it was time to call it a day. Incredibly satisfied with the birding, paddling, and hiking within Pinery Provincial Park, I could only wonder to myself why I waited so long to return. One thing is certain, it won’t be long before I return again. I have already made plans to visit this amazing park again this fall. If you have never visited Pinery Provincial Park, I highly recommend checking it out. Whether birding, paddling, hiking, cycling, or camping this great park offers something for everyone.

Good birding,
Paul

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A New Approach To An Old Pastime

Wanting to escape the humidity of the city, a change of scenery, and spend some quality time with my Dad, I decided to migrate to the family cottage for the summer. Working from home as a medical transcriptionist made this an easy move as it only meant packing a computer and purchasing a data plan to access the internet. With recent humidex values reaching the low 40s in most of Southwestern, Ontario, I know I made the right decision. Temperatures are much more comfortable at the cottage with shade from a large willow tree and a cool south breeze off the lake. Humidity is virtually nonexistent making time outside actually enjoyable.

IMG 7603 Edit Edit - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **Each summer, Mallard ducklings are abundant on the lake at the cottage.**

Great birding exists at the cottage with plenty of birds on and around the lake, so in order to approach some of them in a different manner, I recently purchased a 14′ Prospector Pack Boat from Swift Canoe and Kayak. This boat is essentially a hybrid between and canoe and kayak. I plan on writing a follow-up post with more about the boat, why I chose it, and how I have it set up for photography. Until then, all I will say is I absolutely love this boat and am incredibly happy with my purchase.

IMG 7659 Edit Edit - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **Songbirds including this Eastern Kingbird were observed while paddling on Lake Couchiching.**

With this pack boat, I can explore areas not accessible by foot or larger vessel resulting in some great photo opportunities. I made sure I was comfortable with the boat before taking my camera along and quickly realized how incredibly stable this boat is and I am not nervous at all about bringing my camera onboard.

IMG 7608 Edit Edit - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **Female Mallard watching over her young duckling.**

For my first paddling adventure with my camera, I decided to head to an area on the lake where my dad used to take me and my two sisters as kids in a 16′ aluminum boat for one of his famous nature cruises. Back then, Dad would raise the outboard motor out of the water and we would paddle and push our way through the shallow water following the shoreline observing fish, turtles, ducks, herons, and a variety of other wildlife. This was always one of the highlights of my summer and helped spark my interest in nature at a young age.

IMG 7568 Edit Edit 3 - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **Seeing movement out of the corner of my eye alerted me to this Green Heron. I was able to quietly approach and position myself for a photo.**

Paddling this area in my pack boat was certainly much easier than it was back then and allowed me to get even closer to shore as I was able to better navigate the shallow water maneuvering over and around rocks, fallen logs, and stumps. With only the sound of the water dripping from my paddle, I was able to sneak up on wildlife with a stealth-like approach. Paddling so close to shore allowed me to see subjects that would otherwise go unnoticed in a larger powerboat.

IMG 7491 Edit Edit - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **American Mink.**

The particular stretch of shoreline on Lake Couchiching I paddled is uninhabited as it is low lying and swampy consisting of a mix of cedar, white pine, and a variety of deciduous trees. As I made my way along, I was treated to up-close views of some interesting species. As usual, I was in search of birds but happy to photograph any wildlife that came into view. An American Mink was the only mammal seen as it foraged along the water’s edge.

IMG 7958 Edit Edit - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **Caspian Tern diving for its prey.**

One of the things I like most about birding at the cottage is the opportunity to see and photograph birds not regularly found back home. Around the lake, Caspians Terns are readily observed in flight or diving into the water attempting to capture a meal. As I made my way along, one of these birds approached directly off my bow. Raising my camera and adjusting my exposure to compensate for the bright sky I obtained focus.

IMG 7966 Edit Edit - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **Caspian Tern emerging from the lake with a small fish.**

What I thought was going to be just a typical flight shot quickly changed as the bird went into a full dive heading for the water at a high rate of speed. Keeping focus on the tern, I fired off as many frames as my Canon 7D is capable of as the bird plunged into the lake.

IMG 7969 Edit Edit - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **Upon closer look, the tern’s prey was, in fact, a Yellow Perch.**

After a large splash, the tern emerged with a small fish, which after a closer look at the image was identified as a Yellow Perch. Seeing this unfold only a few metres away was quite spectacular and a view I could not achieve with any other approach but from the water.

48303286821 764d2b4603 o - A New Approach To An Old Pastime — **On my first outing photographing wildlife from my new pack boat, I observed three juvenile Green Herons in areas otherwise inaccessible to birders and photographers.**

All in all, I was completely satisfied with my maiden voyage. Not only did me and my camera stay above water, great views were achieved of several species in areas otherwise inaccessible. I am excited about this new approach to photography and am eager to get out paddling more in this and other areas around the lake. With several more weeks at the cottage this summer, including the beginning of fall migration, the birding opportunities seem almost endless and I look forward to capturing plenty of images with this new approach.

Good birding,
Paul

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Old Habits Die Hard

Since first visiting John E. Pearce Provincial Park several years ago in early June, returning every year the same month is one of the many habits in birding I have adopted. Situated on the north shore of Lake Erie and comprised of varied habitat including Carolinian forest, grassland, a pine plantation, and a recently constructed wetland, this park has something for everybody when it comes to birds. As a result, a successful day birding is always enjoyed, hence my return every year.

IMG 4922 Edit Edit - Old Habits Die Hard — **The Eastern Bluebird is one of the many species I observed on my annual visit to John E. Pearce Provincial Park.**

In June, I made two trips to the park and was treated to some great views. In the open meadow behind the Backus-Page House Museum, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds were observed on the tin roof of an old shed. These birds repeatedly dropped down into the freshly mowed grass grabbing some type of green worm/larvae before taking it to a nearby nest box.

IMG 5052 Edit Edit - Old Habits Die Hard — **House Wren singing its beautiful song.**

Every year when visiting the park, a House Wren has been singing from the top of the fence at the entrance to the parking lot demonstrating that birds too have habits when it comes to this location.

IMG 4986 Edit Edit - Old Habits Die Hard — **Red-winged Blackbird calling from the top of a cattail.**

Around the wetland, typical species which frequent this type of habitat were observed with Red-winged Blackbirds being most abundant. Bank, Tree, and Barn Swallows were present circling the ponds while feeding on flying insects. A pair of Wood Ducks passed by overhead while others could be heard calling from deep in the cattails.

Birds of prey tallied included Turkey Vultures, a Cooper’s Hawk, and a juvenile Bald Eagle which passed by overhead.

IMG 5112 Edit Edit 3 - Old Habits Die Hard — **Though invasive in Ontario, a patch of Dame’s Rocket provided a nice backdrop for this Song Sparrow.**

Around the perimeter of the forest, several sparrow species were observed including song, field, and chipping while various flycatchers could be seen and heard both along the treeline and from deep within the Carolinian forest.

The main reason I can’t stay away from this quiet park each June is it has quickly become my favourite place to see and photograph the Red-headed Woodpecker, a species currently listed as special concern on Ontario’s species at risk list. On my most recent visit, I did see one of these beautiful woodpeckers on the south side of Lakeshore Line in a dead tree but it was too high up to better any of the images I have already captured of this fragile species. Some of the images I’ve captured of Red-headed Woodpeckers at this park during previous visits can be found in these older blog posts:

Local Provincial Park A Hidden Gem For Area Birders
John E. Pearce Park Reveals A Nice Mix Of Species At Risk

Speaking of woodpeckers, John E. Pearce Provincial Park is not just home to the Red-headed. On my last visit, I also observed Downy, Red-bellied, Pileated, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Northern Flicker.

IMG 5134 Edit 2 Edit - Old Habits Die Hard — **Red Admirals were among the butterflies observed during my visits to John E. Pearce Park over the past month.**

Along with the wonderful mix of birds, I also observed and photographed other wildlife while visiting the park. Several butterfly species were identified including Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch, Question Mark, and Red Admiral. Eastern Chipmunks, White-tailed Deer, and Eastern Cottontails comprised the mammals present.

IMG 5222 Edit Edit - Old Habits Die Hard — **Eastern Chipmunks**

Some of you may be wondering if I get bored seeing and photographing the same creatures in the same locations year after year. The answer is absolutely not. When spending time outdoors I love being immersed in wildlife. If this means searching the same spots so be it. Don’t get me wrong, I still like visiting and exploring new locations too. I often get asked how I get so lucky finding the number of birds I do to photograph and I honestly believe luck has very little to do with it. Birds can be incredibly predictable in their movements and behaviour and by sticking to old habits successful outings are almost guaranteed. In the case of John E. Pearce Provincial when visiting in June, I expect to see Red-headed Woodpeckers, a House Wren singing at the entrance and Indigo Buntings in the trees along the roadway. This isn’t luck it’s a pattern as I have experienced these same observations here for the past three years.

IMG 5690 Edit Edit - Old Habits Die Hard — **Eastern Cottontail**

If you have a favourite birding location you visit regularly, pay close attention to birds and wildlife demonstrating habits of their own. Look for patterns to develop on each trip and make note of them. By being cognizant of this behavior each time you return, you will likely be rewarded with similar views each time, which for you photographers can result in more images. I often have to make multiple trips to an area and observe the same birds in the same location before getting the shot I was hoping for. If you haven’t already, start forming habits of your own and be ready for more rewarding outings. By doing so I think you will soon see that old habits do in fact die hard.

Good birding,
Paul

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How To Avoid Using This
Four-Letter Word While Birding

IMG 1655 Edit 2 Edit 2 - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **Four-letter words are commonplace in our vocabulary; however, there is one that can be easily avoided while birding by following these simple tips.**

There’s a four-letter word I often hear used when talking with other birders. This word is certainly not as offensive as other four-letter words, but in my opinion, does not need to be used in conjunction with our favourite pastime. The four-letter word I am referring to is slow.

IMG 1282 Edit Edit - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **Spring migration obviously results in days with the highest species counts, but that doesn’t mean great birding days can’t be enjoyed year-round.**

When out in the field I often run into fellow birders. I am always happy to stop and share my observations while hearing what birds they have encountered. I find myself hearing others describe the birding as slow on days outside the major migration windows. I can’t help but wonder why they consider the birding slow. Is it that they are not seeing enough species? are they only observing common species? were they hoping to find a rarity or perhaps a new bird for their year or life list? I do admit to keeping a life list but don’t obsess over a year list in hopes of bettering my total from the previous year.

IMG 9617 Edit Edit - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **When birding, I am quite content observing common birds and therefore never use this four-letter word to describe my outings.**

For me, birding is simply about seeing birds, any birds, regardless of how common they are. On many of my outings, I do observe and photograph my fair share of birds that are frequently seen in our area but regularly encounter upwards of 25 to 30 species every time I venture out. In my opinion, this is a good day birding and am more than happy with the results. If you consider this slow birding then I guess we can agree to disagree; however, I would not use that four-letter word to describe my day.

IMG 0961 Edit Edit - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **Making a plan and executing it every time I go birding helps me locate more birds.**

Each time I go birding I make a plan keeping a few things in mind before I start. This isn’t like planning a vacation which can take weeks or even months of preparation. A few minutes while getting my gear out of the car is all it takes. Next time you are heading out birding keep these tips in mind to increase the number of birds you observe.

IMG 4569 Edit 2 Edit - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **Many birds including flycatchers will position themselves on a perch out of the wind giving them a better ambush point to capture unsuspecting insects.**

Pay Attention To Wind Direction

Using the wind to my advantage is huge in helping me increase the number of birds I see. In most cases, birds will position themselves out of the wind. This helps the birds expend less energy by not having to struggle to balance on a moving perch. Wind also pushes insects into these protected areas providing a buffet for birds to feed on. Areas protected from the wind are also warmer during winter months or periods of cooler weather. By concentrating my efforts in these sheltered locations rather than those exposed to a gusty wind greatly improves the number of birds I see. Paying attention to the wind helps me decide which trails to follow and eliminates the amount of ground I cover in order to find birds. Large concentrations of birds are often found in small areas.

IMG 9922 Edit Edit - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **When it comes to finches I almost always hear them long before I see them.**

Use Your Ears

Listening for birds will point you in the direction of their location. Once close, you will be able to find their exact whereabouts, in turn, offering a great look or even an opportunity to capture a photo. You don’t need to be an expert in identifying birds by sound for this to be effective, simply knowing the sound you hear is a bird and following your ears will work just fine. Birds often congregate in the same areas regardless of species based on the availability of food or shelter, so just because you only hear one species doesn’t mean there won’t be others nearby.

IMG 1428 Edit Edit - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **Photographing this Wild Turkey with the sun at my back illuminating the bird picked up the beautiful iridescent hues in its plumage.**

Keep The Light At Your Back

Before starting a hike I plan my direction based on where the sun is in the sky. In the morning I walk from east to west and in the afternoon/evening west to east. This ensures the sun is at my back which puts the light on my subject. This accomplishes a couple of things. First, a well-lit subject makes for a better photo. I can’t tell you the number of times I come across others I see photographing birds while shooting directly into the sun. Approaching from the opposite direction in most cases and if possible would certainly result in better images. Second I can see/identify birds easier. Trying to make out a bird while staring into the sun is almost impossible and some birds could go unnoticed. In areas where trails go in a loop considering where the sun is helps me decide between following clockwise or counterclockwise.

IMG 2484 Edit Edit - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **Moving slowly and quietly allows me to get closer to birds resulting in better views and more detail captured in my photos.**

Move Slowly And Avoid Excessive Noise

Sudden movements and unfamiliar sounds are two things that will startle birds causing them to flee before a quality look or chance for a photo take place. I do almost all of my birding in parks, whether they are national, provincial, or municipal. These areas are well used by people and therefore the birds which inhabit them become accustomed to humans. That being said, avoiding sudden movements and loud noises will keep the birds in view much longer. I always choose clothing manufactured from materials that do not make noise with friction ensuring I can move around quietly. Watching where I step is equally important as a snapping stick underfoot or splashing in a puddle are sounds that will cause a bird to flush.

IMG 1860 Edit Edit - How To Avoid Using This <br> Four-Letter Word While Birding — **Some birds can be found by ear without them even vocalizing. This Eastern Towhee scratching in the leaves alerted me to its location.**

In my opinion, there is no such thing as slow birding. There are always plenty of birds around regardless of the time of year. For me, I simply enjoy being outdoors observing and photographing all birds even if they are not lifers or rarities. I can’t help you avoid using all four-letter words while birding, but I certainly think if you follow these tips you can avoid using the word slow to describe your next outing.

Good birding,
Paul

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Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration

May was truly spectacular when it came to birding. Having booked the first two weeks off work to enjoy migration, I certainly saw and photographed my fair share of birds. Huge waves of birds may no longer be moving into the area as they were earlier this spring, but that doesn’t mean I have put my binoculars and camera away for another year. Late spring offers some great birding albeit views can be more challenging now that the trees have leafed up.

IMG 2413 Edit Edit - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **The American Redstart (female pictured) is one of several warblers that breed in Southwestern Ontario and remain in the region until they migrate south for the winter.**

Several warblers species breed across our are which means we can enjoy them throughout the summer months until they head south in the fall. Yellow Warblers are most commonly seen and heard, but looking and listening closely can reveal Chestnut-sided Warblers and American Redstarts to name a few.

IMG 1270 Edit Edit - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **Great birding post-migration often takes place in our own backyards. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are easily attracted to special feeders containing a mixture of sugar and water.**

Many of the birds we waited months to see in our own backyards will remain until late summer or early fall. Hummingbirds and Orioles are easily attracted to special feeders containing a mixture of one part sugar and four parts water. There are conflicting reports on whether or not food colouring is harmful to birds. My feeling is anything potentially harmful to birds should be avoided and therefore do not add colouring to my mixture. It has been my experience that the colour on the feeder itself is all that is required to attract the birds.

IMG 1258 Edit 2 Edit 2 - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **Ruby-throated Hummingbird.**

It is important to clean the feeder and change the mixture every couple of days especially during the warmer weather. Many of the new saucer style feeders are dishwasher safe making cleaning a breeze. Keeping a pitcher of the mixture in the fridge means it will be ready when you need it and allows the chlorine to dissipate from the water. This mixture can be kept in the fridge for up to ten days.

IMG 1359 Edit 2 Edit 2 - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **House Wrens have a beautiful song and are one of the easiest backyard birds to attract to a nest box.**

Another backyard frequenting migrant is the House Wren. These tiny birds can be a challenge to see as they love cover, but reveal their location with their loud song. Wrens readily accept a properly placed nest box which will help you locate these birds. If your yard is particularly shrubby with lots of hiding spots, there’s a good chance House Wrens are present.

IMG 1716 Edit Edit 2 - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **Great-crested Flycatcher**

Insect-eating birds including swallows and flycatchers are readily observed post-migration. Swallows can be found feeding on the wing over bodies of water while flycatchers can be observed in forests, open meadows, and field edges.

IMG 2155 Edit Edit - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **Pileated Woodpecker extracting a meal from a fallen log.**

Resident birds are abundant at this time of year with some of my favourite being woodpeckers. Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, and American Goldfinches can be found just about anywhere, so there is no shortage of birds for viewing. Birds of prey are also present which are always a treat to observe.

IMG 1744 Edit Edit - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **Female Baltimore Oriole pulling on a piece of material as she intricately weaves her nest.**

With so many species nesting across the area, it is not uncommon to see birds gathering nesting material or constructing their nests. I recently observed a female Baltimore Oriole as she methodically wove her sock-like nest. Not wanting to disturb or put added stress on the bird, I only watched briefly while capturing a few photos.

IMG 9003 Edit Edit 2 - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **It’s not just birds that can be observed while out birding. These Painted Turtles were photographed while visiting a local pond.**

We call it birding, but in many cases enjoying nature might be a better term. When out with my camera, I focus on all aspects of nature including mammals, reptiles, butterflies, and amphibians and don’t limit myself to birds. In my opinion, observing and enjoying all aspects of nature when out in the field only adds to the experience.

IMG 4332 Edit Edit - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **Monarch Butterfly laying an egg on a Common Milkweed plant.**

Already this year I have noticed several Monarch Butterflies. Most of these butterflies have been observed laying eggs on Common Milkweed plants some of which are only 6″ to 8″ tall. Seeing a beautiful Monarch fluttering over a meadow always puts a smile on my face.

IMG 4218 Edit Edit - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **The beauty of Northern Cardinals and other resident birds can be enjoyed year-round in Southwestern Ontario.**

We are fortunate in our area to have a huge population of birds throughout the year. Whether they are migrants only here for a few months to raise a brood or resident birds present year-round, great birding is available despite spring migration having come to an end. Obtaining clear views of birds is certainly more challenging with leaves on the trees but just because birds are no longer in plain sight doesn’t mean they are not there. Using your ears to listen for birds will give away their location which will make getting eyes on them easier.

IMG 8151 4 - Great Birding Continues After Spring Migration — **Lesser Yellowlegs begin their migration south as early as late June.**

I hope this inspires you to get out and do some post-migration birding as there is plenty to see when heading out. If you prefer birding when waves of migrants are on the move, believe it or not, you don’t have to wait long as some shorebirds including Least Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs begin their migration south in late June.

Good birding,
Paul

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May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year

Each year, waves of birds pass through Southwestern Ontario in early May. Like most other birders, this is my favourite time of year, and I book vacation accordingly during the first two weeks of the month. I try to get out birding every day visiting many of my favorite areas. Some of these locations are a 2-hour drive away while others are mere minutes from home. As is the case every year, May has been quite productive thus far with a variety of species observed and photographed.

IMG 9112 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **This Spotted Sandpiper was the only shorebird found at the tip of Point Pelee.**

Last Monday, I made the drive west to Point Pelee National Park. Arriving at the park shortly after 9 a.m. I found a parking spot at the visitor centre and from there it was a short shuttle ride to the tip to begin my day of birding. At the tip, Baltimore Orioles were seen reverse migrating as they headed south out over Lake Erie. Horned Grebes were observed to the west while a mix of warblers foraged high in the treetops on the east side as the morning sun had the insects and thus the birds quite active.

IMG 9330 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **The Woodland Nature Trail at Point Pelee National Park revealed great views of this Blue-winged Warbler.**

Once finished at the tip, I was back on the shuttle heading north to complete a loop of the Woodland Nature Trail. Parts of this trail were quite wet and a small section was underwater. Despite this, I was able to cover most of the trail and was treated to some great views with the highlight being a Blue-winged Warbler feeding low to the ground.

IMG 9407 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **With the help of other birders, I was able to locate this red morph Eastern Screech-Owl camouflaged among the leaves and branches.**

Having completed the Woodland Nature Trail, I went back to the car to re-hydrate and have a quick sandwich before heading to the Tilden Woods Trail. While having my lunch, I overheard a woman talking about a red morph Eastern Screech-Owl on Tilden. Locating these small owls in a forest is like finding a needle in a haystack, but I figured there would be several people gathered in the vicinity of this bird. Sure enough, shortly into the trail was a congregation of owl seekers. Thanks to other birders describing where to look among the maze of branches, I was able to locate the owl. After adjusting my camera settings I managed to obtain focus through the leaves and limbs and capture several images. As an added bonus, this owl had its eyes open and was staring at the gaggle of birders admiring its beauty.

IMG 9588 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **The habitat along the West Beach Trail is perfect for attracting Indigo Buntings.**

To wrap up the day I walked the trail along West Beach. Warblers, thrushes, and a kingbird were noted, but I was most excited about the stunning male Indigo Bunting perched beautifully in the sun. In total, I observed 61 species under sunny skies. A great day birding for sure and quite typical for the first week of May at Pelee.

IMG 9859 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **Palm Warblers are regularly found foraging on the forest floor.**

Tuesday morning I awoke to rain. This didn’t dampen my spirits as I had an appointment with my physiotherapist scheduled and was hoping to head out birding in the afternoon after the showers quit. Birding after a rain is always productive especially in May when migrating songbirds actively feed after seeking shelter from the precipitation. By late afternoon the sun was out, so I headed to the Westminster Ponds ESA. For those of you who attended my How To Photograph Birds presentation last month I focussed my efforts in the area I shared with you. As expected, the birds were positioned out of the strong west wind actively feeding on insects that had emerged with the warming sun.

IMG 0281 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **Blue-headed Vireo photographed at the Westminster Ponds ESA.**

In total 50 species were seen in only a few hours including 8 different warblers. Palm Warblers were the most abundant with Yellow-rumped a close second. Nashville, Yellow, Black-and-White, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, and American Redstart were the other warblers present. Happy with my observations, I returned to this same area Wednesday morning and was treated to much of the same with the addition of Black-throated Green Warblers.

IMG 0409 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **Black-throated Blue Warblers were observed at all of the areas I birded this past week.**

After spending the morning birding, I headed home to prepare for my presentation that evening for the Woodstock Camera Club. What a fun night it was talking about bird photography with so many great people who share the same passion. The comradery of the group was evident as there were plenty of jokes and laughter which only added to the enjoyment of the evening. Thanks again to Kim and Linda for inviting me to speak.

IMG 0627 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **Blackburian Warblers were one of the most prevalent birds on my visit to Rondeau Provincial Park.**

My best birding of the week was Friday at Rondeau Provincial Park where I observed 79 species. Blackburnian and Cape May Warblers were seen throughout the park in large numbers and were two of the more prevalent birds. Eastern Towhee, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird, and Northern Parula were also observed. With the strong west wind off Rondeau Bay, I concentrated my birding in the centre and east side of the park. The most productive areas were Warbler’s Way (formerly known as the Maintenance Loop), Harrison Trail, and Tulip Tree Trail.

IMG 1001 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **The vibrant red plumage of the male Scarlet Tanager is something I look forward to seeing each May.**

Scarlet Tanagers were observed in good numbers at Rondeau. These vibrant red birds are simply stunning and always a treat to see. The strong winds and lack of leaf cover in the forest canopy kept most of the birds low to the ground making for optimal views and photos. It was a cool, cloudy day for the most part but when the sun did peek out and the temperature rose a few degrees, the birds became even more active.

IMG 0770 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **Northern Parula photographed at Rondeau Provincial Park.**

With the amount of rain we received this past week, all of the areas I birded were wet and muddy. I recommend wearing rubber boots if you plan on visiting any of the aforementioned locations. I’ve never considered rubber boots to be the most comfortable footwear, but knowing the amount of rain forecast and expecting messy conditions, I went out and bought a new pair. Fully expecting sore feet, sore legs, and a sore back I was surprised at how comfortable these boots are. Purchased on sale for $30 at my local TSC Store, I am very happy with these Oxgear boots. If you are looking for a pair of rubber boots, these are definitely worth checking out.

IMG 1312 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **Large numbers of White-crowned Sparrows were observed this past week.**

Along with plenty of warblers, large quantities of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, and White-crowned Sparrows were observed in all areas I visited this past week. We can expect another big wave of birds in the coming weeks, so if you haven’t had an opportunity to get out birding there is still lots of time. In town, the leaves are emerging fast which makes locating and photographing birds a challenge; however, closer to Lake Erie where temperatures are a few degrees cooler, the leaves are significantly behind offering better views and photo opportunities.

IMG 9372 Edit Edit - May Offers Some Of The Best Birding Of The Year — **Blue-winged Warbler**

With another week of vacation to go, I am looking forward to more birding. Given the day I had at Rondeau, I plan on getting down there again this week but will also do more birding here in London as well. The warmer temperatures predicted mid-week will make for comfortable conditions and active birds. An abundance of birds in the area and more on the way mean it’s the perfect time to get out birding. If you have some time this week, head out to your favourite spot and reap the benefits of May birding.

Good birding,
Paul

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Pay Attention To Wind Direction

Use Your Ears

Keep The Light At Your Back

Move Slowly And Avoid Excessive Noise

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