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. 

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.   

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.

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.  

 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. 

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

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.  

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. 

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.  

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.

• 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.  

• 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. 

• 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.  

• 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. 

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