Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding

Anyone who has followed my blog for any length of time or has come out to an event I’ve spoken at knows how I use the weather conditions to my advantage when birding. This approach always results in great days birding and pinpoints where the birds are. Reading the conditions helps me eliminate areas where fewer birds will be concentrated and makes my time in the field more efficient.

IMG 4394 - Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding — **A large flock of robins was present feeding on the ripe berries.**

For subscribers new to my blog, photography is not my main source of income and I do have a full-time job. I work from home and have since long before the pandemic and most of my birding/photography is done while taking a short break in the morning to stretch, get some fresh air, and walk my dog. As a result, I’m pressed for time so focus my efforts where I know the birds will be based on the weather conditions that day.

IMG 8272 Edit - Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding — **A male Northern Cardinal enjoying a reprieve from the cold north wind.**

In terms of weather conditions, the main thing I focus on is wind the second is the sun. Wind will tell you where the birds will be during the colder months as birds will concentrate in areas protected from the wind. For example, if the wind is out of the west, a forest edge on the west side of a meadow or the west bank of a river is going to hold more birds than the east because this is the protected or leeward side. During the warmer months, the wind pushes insects into areas, and in return, birds will be there feeding. I use the morning sun to my advantage as this warms areas first and birds will associate with these warm areas in cold weather and in the warmer weather, this is where insects, a main food source for many birds, will become active first. Paying attention to the wind and sun helps me find birds fast maximizing my time outdoors before heading back to work.

IMG 7630 - Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding — **This photogenic American Goldfinch dropped from high in the alders and landed only a few feet in front of me.**

Let me give you a specific example of an incredible morning of birding I had last week by paying attention to and using the conditions in my favour. Following a few hours of work, the sun was finally up. I ate breakfast, bundled up, and stepped out the front door with my camera secured in my Cotton Carrier. I planned to bird at a city park only a short walk from home. Checking the weather before I left I noticed the wind was strong out of the north. As I walked to the park, I already had a plan in my head where I was going to focus my efforts based on the wind direction and morning sun.

IMG 5542 - Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding — **Male Hairy Woodpecker**

The park I birded at consists of a large open meadow surrounded by forest. On the north side of the park, the land slopes upward slightly into the subdivision. This is where I spent the morning birding as this subtle change in elevation provided the perfect windbreak from the cold north wind. At the bottom of this hill is a small gulley where water from the neighbourhood and meadow drains. The forest here is a mix of deciduous trees and shrubs including honeysuckle which were covered in bright red berries. The taller alder trees present growing from the water-filled trench were loaded with catkins. Where the honeysuckle ends goldenrod and teasels begin which have now gone to seed. The morning sun beaming from the south was warming this side of the park and providing great light for photos. It was the perfect mix of food, water, and shelter and birds were present in large numbers.

IMG 5054 2 - Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding — **Teasels at the edge of the meadow provided food for American Goldfinches and other small songbirds.**

Hearing the soft calls of robins and high-pitched whistles of Cedar Waxwings I scanned the honeysuckle at eye level. These bushes were loaded with the aforementioned birds gorging themselves on the ripe fruit. Raising my camera I fired off several images with my Canon 7D. From overhead, I could hear American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins that were feeding on the alder seeds.

IMG 7133 - Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding — **Male Red-bellied Woodpecker heading up a tree with a walnut.**

Dark-eyed Juncos foraged on goldenrod seeds from within the tangled maze of stalks that had bent over under the weight of the snow. American Tree and a Song Sparrow were also observed. Mourning Doves could be seen on the forest floor soaking up the morning sun. Higher up, both White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches were heard and seen moving down the tree trunks. Loud drumming could be heard coming from the forest and after scanning the trees I was treated to great views of Red-bellied, Hairy, and downy Woodpeckers. In total, I identified 21 different bird species in this small section of the park.

IMG 4828 2 - Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding — **Birds aren’t the only wildlife whose location can be predicted by weather conditions, these White-tailed Deer were also found in the same forest seeking shelter from the cold north wind.**

Now I’m sure I could have wandered through the park willy-nilly and seen some birds, but not in this variety or quantity. By paying attention to the conditions and using them to my advantage I focused my attention on the area that held the highest concentration of birds. Using the warm morning sun and hill that provided protection from the cold north wind as a map guided me right to where the birds were. After enjoying great views of a variety of birds, some fresh air, and exercise I headed back home to complete my workday.

IMG 4254 - Reading The Conditions Leads To An Amazing Morning Of Birding — **Cedar Waxwing**

Paying close attention to the conditions and using them to give me the upper hand is something I’ve done while birding for many years and will continue to do so for many more because it simply works. If you are hoping to see more birds on your next outing keep the conditions in mind and use them to increase the number of species you tally. This simple practice is something anyone young or old, beginner or expert can do to stack the deck in their favour maximizing time in the field.

Good birding,
Paul

*My 2021 calendars have arrived and are selling fast! A great gift idea for the bird lover on your list.*

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Warm Boots For Winter Birding

Boots are one of the most important pieces of gear I use for birding in any season. Having dry, comfortable feet is a key element to an enjoyable outing, and having the right boots is imperative. Cold, wet feet will ruin a day of birding in a hurry so investing in a good pair of boots is as essential as good binoculars.

11535766533 fe6e7be2cf o - Warm Boots For Winter Birding — **A light snowfall made for a beautiful setting to photograph these Mourning Doves.**

Over the years I have tried several different boots with moderate degrees of satisfaction. My biggest issue with most boots I’ve tried isn’t that they weren’t warm or waterproof it was that they weren’t durable. Years ago, I found a pair of boots I loved. They were lightweight, warm, and waterproof; however, I never got more than a season out of them. When birding I walk a lot so I go through footwear faster than the average person, but even with this in mind, I was unhappy with their durability. This had me back to the drawing board and searching for new boots for my winter birding.

15633685967 a4215c64e1 o - Warm Boots For Winter Birding — **American Black Ducks are more abundant in the London area during the winter months.**

The boots I wear now for my winter birding are the Rocky Blizzard Stalker. These boots maintain breathability by allowing air to circulate in yet are still 100% waterproof. With 1200 g of Thinsulate insulation they are the warmest boots I’ve ever owned. The aggressive tread provides excellent traction and at 9″ tall they are great in deep snow.

I’m going into my 7th winter with the same pair and other than replacing the laces they are still in great shape, even the treads don’t look worn. These are by far the warmest, dryest winter boots I’ve ever owned and comfortable to walk in. I won’t argue, they are pricey but considering I’ve never complained of cold or wet feet since buying them and factor in how long I’ve had them on a cost per year basis, I consider them a bargain.

30786557150 25c1797cf2 o - Warm Boots For Winter Birding — **The American Tree Sparrow is one of my favourite sparrows and is only found in Southwestern Ontario during late fall and winter.**

If you are considering the Rocky Blizzard Stalker there are a few things to keep in mind. They are a bit big and clunky but I wouldn’t say any more than boots of a similar style. Also, some may find them a bit heavy. I personally do not and have no problems walking all day in them. These boots in a size 10 are listed at 5.5 pounds for the pair which equates to 2.75 pounds per boot. Another thing I’ve noticed with these boots is they seem to run a bit large in terms of sizing. I wear a 9.5 shoe or boot and have since public school. Not available in half sizes I went with a 9 and they are a tad big. Given they have 1200 g of Thinsulate insulation I don’t wear a heavy sock with them and likely could have gone with a size 8 to achieve an exact fit.

IMG 1919 Edit 2 - Warm Boots For Winter Birding — **In my opinion, a snowy scene is the best for photographing Northern Cardinals.**

Winter is one of my favourite times to get out birding. With so many species only present in our area during the winter months, venturing out in the cold is a must to observe these species.

Often during the coldest winters is when rare birds are present as was the case back in 2014 and 2015. These winters were so cold ice coverage on the Great Lakes approached 100%. As a result, large numbers of diving ducks were forced inland to the open water of the Thames River. Here in London, we saw White-winged Scoters, Harlequin Ducks, and even Red-throated Loons, a species not reported in winter in Middlesex county since 1898. During these frigid winters, birders flocked to the river to see these rarities and I was sure glad I had my Rocky Blizzard Stalkers keeping my feet warm. I could spend all day out there in -20 to -30 degree wind chills photographing these birds that I may never again see in my lifetime.

11535625786 43861c6a87 o Edit - Warm Boots For Winter Birding — **Getting out when it’s snowing often provides some of the best scenes for capturing images of birds.**

Keeping my hands and feet warm used to be a challenge for me. Thanks to Rocky Blizzard Stalker boots my feet stay warm and dry. You can find out which gloves I wear to keep my hands warm in my post The Best Gloves For Winter Birding And Photography.

16451960391 4f514ea120 o - Warm Boots For Winter Birding — Redpolls only visit our area during the winter months and not every year. Currently, we are experiencing an irruption of finches in Southwestern Ontario. If you want to see these birds in our area bundling up and heading out in the cold is a must.

In the past, I was never a person who loved winter and think the reason for this was I was never warm enough. Now, with the right clothing, I embrace winter and look forward to it and the birds it brings to our area.

If you’ve struggled in previous years to keep your feet warm and dry, I highly recommend you check out the Rocky Blizzard Stalker boots, I’m certainly glad I gave them a try.

Good birding,
Paul

* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*

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First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds

With snow in the forecast, I had Tuesday circled on my calendar as a day to head out with my camera. The potential for snow had me excited as it has been months since I have photographed birds under these conditions. In my opinion, snow provides one of the most beautiful scenes to capture images in.

Fortunately, the forecast was correct, and squalls overnight Monday and into Tuesday left a thin blanket of snow on the ground and trees presenting a gorgeous backdrop. Having readied my gear the night before, I grabbed my coat and walked out the front door.

IMG 1594 Edit - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **The yellow plumage of this American Goldfinch really pops against the snow-covered ground.**

I decided to visit a small park walking distance from where I live. The mixed habitat complete with a creek and small pond is home to a variety of birds, and I had seen a good number of species just a few days prior. Arriving shortly after 9:00 a.m. I was instantly treated to plenty of songbird activity. Goldenrod and aster line the path here and Dark-eyed Juncos and American Goldfinches could be seen feeding on the seeds of these native wildflowers.

IMG 1562 Edit - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Female House Finch**

Goldfinches weren’t the only finches present as several House Finches were also observed feeding on the bounty of seeds. Carolina Wrens could be seen and heard as they moved through the underbrush but capturing a picture proved impossible on this day.

IMG 1229 Edit - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Male Mallard preening as the snow fell.**

As I carried on further down the path the sky became dark as another squall moved in. Reaching the pond the snow was coming down rather quickly now. I watched as several Mallards were busy preening to protect themselves from the elements. Birds have a gland located at the base of their tails called the uropygial gland or preen gland. This gland contains oil that birds pick up with their beaks and rub on their feathers making them waterproof.

IMG 1761 - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **This male Red-bellied Woodpecker was one of three woodpecker species observed.**

Three woodpecker species were observed including Red-bellied, Downy, and Hairy. White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches were among other tree-clinging birds present. Large numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches have moved south this year, known as an irruption, due to a poor cone crop to our north resulting in a lack of food.

IMG 1387 Edit 2 - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Golden-crowned Kinglet showing off its golden crown.**

Hearing the soft calls of the Golden-crowned Kinglet I scanned the goldenrod and other vegetation beside the path to see several of these tiny songbirds flitting about. If you ask me kinglets are by far the most challenging bird to photograph as they do not hold still for more than a second. A fast shutter speed is crucial for freezing the action of these birds. With the autofocus system no longer working on my primary lens photographing them was even more challenging and I missed a lot of shots as a result.

IMG 1145 - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Male Northern Cardinal**

London has long been known as the cardinal capital of Canada and this certainly was evident with roughly a dozen of these beauties seen. Their soft chip, chip, chip calls coming from the dense thickets filled the air. Fortunately, a few of these birds offered reasonably unobstructed views allowing me to capture a few images. The snow-covered branches were exactly the backdrop I was hoping for when I ventured out.

IMG 1639 Edit - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **Eastern Grey Squirrel**

When photographing birds and wildlife in the snow be extra cognizant of your exposure. It’s easy to end up with underexposed images based on the fact that all camera meters are programmed that an even exposure is mid-grey. What this means is when you look through your viewfinder and press your shutter halfway to meter the shot, when your meter is at 0 this is mid-grey or halfway between white and black.

The problem is snow is white, not mid-grey something not recognized by your camera. Further pressing the shutter all the way and taking the shot in this situation often results in an underexposed image and the snow appearing grey. In most cases when photographing birds in snow you need to overexpose your images to achieve white snow. That being said, on really sunny days you can end up overexposing your images as the sun reflects off the snow. Be sure to use your histogram and turn on your highlight alert or “blinkies” to ensure proper exposure and always expose for the whites.

IMG 1749 - First Snow Offers A New Setting For Photographing Birds — **This male Downy Woodpecker found something tasty in the remains of a wasp’s nest.**

With temperatures expected to return to double digits this week the recent snow will be short-lived. Who knows how long it will be before we see another snowfall so I’m glad I took this opportunity when I did. The birding around the Forest City has been fantastic this fall and regardless of the weather conditions or backdrop, I can’t wait to get back out there again soon with my camera.

Good birding,
Paul

*Since taking pre-orders for my 2021 calendars earlier this week they are now over 50% sold. If you are wanting to get a copy don’t delay supply is extremely limited.*

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Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario

Having been back in Southwestern Ontario for a little over a week I finally found time to get out for some birding. With so many options close to home I decided on Pinery Provincial Park. Why the Pinery? Easy, I wanted somewhere I could bird from my pack boat as well as on foot and the Pinery seemed like a logical choice based on the success I had there last year at this time. One of the best ways to be successful birding is to repeat what works. If I had great birding in late October there last year chances are (under similar conditions) the birding would be fantastic again this October. I like to bird with the adage in mind if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

IMG 9027 - Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario — **The leaves have not changed much at Pinery Provincial Park; however, the subtle yellows and browns provided a nice backdrop for this heron.**

Loading up my gear I left home just after 8 a.m. As I headed north I could see the clear blue sky in the direction of the park. With sunny skies and classic rock playing on the radio, I could feel my excitement building. Arriving at the park just over an hour later, I put my boat in the water and was heading down the Old Ausable Channel by 9:30 a.m. Several Canada Geese that were hanging around the launch area began to honk as I slipped through the water. Looking into the emergent vegetation along the shoreline I could see a Great Blue Heron standing motionless with its head tucked in and feathers puffed out. This is typical behavior of a bird trying to keep warm as it was a chilly start to the morning.

IMG 8373 - Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario — **Downy Woodpecker**

Continuing down the river a pair of Wood Ducks took flight. These birds are extremely skittish and I only managed a brief look as they disappeared out of sight while their high-pitched whistles softened. Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were all seen and heard in the large trees lining the banks as I paddled along. It is here where I often see the less common Red-headed Woodpecker but unfortunately, on this day there was none present. At least none that I saw or heard anyway. Given this bird’s current status in the province (special concern) and that they are a short-distance migrant not seeing any wasn’t too surprising.

IMG 8783 2 - Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario — **This Pileated Woodpecker was observed high above the Old Ausable Channel preening.**

Glancing up into a large tree, I could see the silhouette of a Pileated Woodpecker. As I admired this crow-sized bird another Pileated flew into a nearby tree. Raising my camera I snapped a few photos of the bird that was busy preening while the second bird flew across the river.

IMG 8732 - Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario — **Great Blue Heron flying down the river.**

As I paddled my way to the far end of the park I had some incredible views of Great Blue Herons. Three in total were present along the river and fortunately were posed in some pretty amazing positions and scenes. One bird, in particular, repeatedly flew short distances ahead of me as I paddled providing ample opportunities for flight shots.

IMG 9069 - Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario — **This Fox Sparrow was observed near the visitor centre.**

After my paddle, I made my way to the Cedar Trail behind the visitor centre. The feeders were not out at the visitor centre my guess is due to COVID-19 and the park not wanting people congregating in this area. That didn’t mean there weren’t birds present as I quickly located two Fox Sparrows and could hear the calls of a Tufted Titmouse.

Making my way down the trail bird sound filled the air. The most predominant sound was that of the Golden-crowned Kinglet a bird I saw hundreds of this day. As it tried unsuccessfully to photograph the kinglets (mostly bum shots and obstructed views) a female Eastern Towhee flew over the trail landing on the ground in the thick brush. As this bird scratched up food from the ground with its feet in true towhee fashion I failed to capture a clear image through all the branches. Arriving back at the car I heard the call of Sandhill Cranes but never laid eyes on the birds. I’m not sure if these birds were flying over or perhaps calling from the vegetation in the southern section of the river.

IMG 8499 - Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario — **Blue Jay**

Now it was time to check out the Heritage Trail. This is one of my favourites in the park. Beautiful habitat and a nice lookout over the river are why this trail is so appealing to me. This trail has been a good one in the past for seeing deer, turkeys, and several woodpecker species. On this day, Blue Jays were moving through the woods in good numbers presumably migrating and likely feeding on acorns as this trail has several mature oak trees.

IMG 9099 2 - Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario — **Be sure to take peanuts halves or black oil sunflower seed to the Pinery if you go as many of the birds including chickadees will feed from your hand.**

Finally, it was off to the beach 9 picnic area. This area always has lots of birds present and today was no different. Park visitors regularly feed the birds by hand here and it’s not uncommon to have chickadees land on you looking for a handout even if you aren’t toting seed. Other birds can be fed by hand in the beach 9 picnic area including the Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, and even Downy Woodpecker. This is also a great location to achieve views of some of the park’s cute rodents including chipmunks and Red Squirrels.

IMG 3474 - Back To Birding In Southwestern Ontario — **Pinery Provincial Park is my favourite place to get close views of the Tufted Titmouse.**

All in all, it was a great day getting back to birding in Southwestern Ontario after so many months away. I know throughout the remainder of fall and winter I will make several trips back to Pinery Provincial Park as it is a fantastic place to bird, hike, paddle, and picnic.

Good birding,
Paul

*Earlier this year I launched my vlog from Pinery Provincial Park. You can watch that inaugural video here.*

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Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart

As a kid summer at the cottage was always so much fun. My family would partake in the usual activities enjoyed by most cottagers with swimming, waterskiing, and fishing being commonplace. It was here too that my interest in nature got an early start. Back in those days, my dad would take my mom, sisters, and me out in a 16-foot aluminum boat for what he called a “nature cruise”. These cruises took place in areas on the lake that were undeveloped. As we idled along we would keep our eyes open for all forms of nature and we would often find a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Ducks, herons, muskrats, and turtles were all typically observed. My dad would share what knowledge he had of these creatures and my sisters and I learned a lot about nature and the importance of respecting it. We would ask plenty of questions along the way and Dad always had the answer. I can’t imagine the degree of patience this must have taken on my dad’s part, and this is just one of the many qualities I love about him.

IMG 2062 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **Belted Kingfishers are abundant around Lake Couchiching and one of the few places I’ve had success photographing them.**

Now more than three decades later, this area of the lake remains undeveloped and I find myself returning each summer for a nature cruise of my own. As I take in the abundance of species inhabiting this area I reminisce about those days with my dad and appreciate him taking the time to introduce me to nature.

In mid-August, I spent a week at the cottage with my dad but didn’t manage to get to this area for a nature cruise. Most of our time was spent birding on the front lawn and watching the boats go by. Once returning to my trailer after having an incredible week with my dad I couldn’t help but wish I made time to visit this area. With the cottage only an hour south of where I am currently located I decided to make the short drive down with my pack boat to paddle this section of the lake and see what species were present.

IMG 4971 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **Scanning the many fallen logs along the shoreline always reveals basking Painted Turtles.**

Arriving at Lake Couchiching I launched my boat on the east shore and made the short paddle into the quiet bay. Immediately I was greeted by a Great Blue Heron high up in a tree. I watched for a few minutes as the bird preened before I moved quietly along the shoreline. Coming up on a fallen log, several Painted Turtles were observed basking in the sun while the call of a kingfisher could be heard. This day was an emotional one for me as not only was I remembering so many fond memories of my childhood from this location, but it also would have been my mom’s 71st birthday. I could have easily become overwhelmed with my myriad of feelings, but being surrounded by nature in a place that I love kept everything in check. For me, immersing myself in nature has always been the best way to deal with my emotions.

IMG 1941 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **Male Wood Duck in eclipse plumage.**

Several duck species were observed on this outing with Mallards, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and American Widgeon all seen. By late summer, male ducks are displaying their eclipse plumage. This is when they have molted from their colorful breeding plumage and appear much more drab. Identifying these birds can be a challenge and male ducks are often confused as juveniles. Something to remember to aid in identification is juvenile ducks more resemble females while eclipse males will still show some field marks of their breeding plumage. In the case of the Wood Duck, eclipse males retain their colorful eye and bill.

IMG 5052 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **Great Egret**

Over the past several years, the number of Great Egrets present in this area during late August and early September has increased. Seeing these birds here at this time of year is almost common now. On this day I was treated to some amazing views of a Great Egret circling directly overhead. Lowering my paddle and raising my camera, I was able to capture several images of this bird before it landed in a clearing in the cattails.

IMG 5165 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **An old railway piling provided the perfect perch for this Osprey.**

Continuing along the shoreline I reached an area known as The Narrows. This is where Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe come together. Filled with cattails, lily pads, and other aquatic vegetation nature is abundant here. The many wooden pilings from old railway crossings provide perfect perches for birds and it’s not uncommon to see dozens of terns here. On this occasion, I had amazing views of an Osprey sitting on one post as it stared down into the water. Osprey typically search for fish while soaring high above the water but this particular bird seemed to be looking for its next meal from only a few feet above the surface.

IMG 0180 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **Trumpeter Swan with its cygnets.**

Another species that has appeared in this area in recent years is the Trumpeter Swan. Once extirpated in Ontario due to overhunting and habitat loss the Canadian population of Trumpeter Swans was only 77 birds in 1933. Thanks to several successful reintroduction programs including here provincially, this species has seen its numbers rebound. As part of these programs, many Trumpeter Swans display a numbered yellow tag on their wing. In this particular area of Lake Couchiching, pairs of Trumpeter Swans can be observed each summer swimming with their cygnets.

IMG 2873 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **Least Bittern blending in with the cattails.**

While getting myself into a position to photograph the swans, movement from within the cattails caught my eye. To my delight, a Least Bittern was seen gripping the stalks of this emergent vegetation. At only about a foot tall, these small herons are incredibly hard to see and therefore are quite elusive. Thanks to a stealth-like approach in my pack boat, I’ve been able to sneak up on these birds the past few years and capture several images.

IMG 2545 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **The vegetation along the shoreline of Lake Couchiching is ideal camouflage for the Green Heron.**

Speaking of small herons, Lake Couchiching is one of my favourite places for getting up close to Green Herons. Slipping through the water silently I’m able to get within a few feet of this species, one that is quite plentiful here though likely goes unnoticed due to its short stature and amazing camouflage.

48671034677 25bf355d78 o 1 - Enjoying Nature From An Area Close To My Heart — **Trumpeter Swans**

Having spent several hours paddling this area it was now time to head home. As I made my way back to the car I reflected on what an amazing day I had. My mind was also full of all the incredible memories from my childhood in this area with my mom, dad, and sisters. The day was bittersweet for me as I was incredibly grateful for the species I observed and the memories and knowledge I gathered here as a child, but also found myself remembering and missing my mom. The amazing wildlife found around Lake Couchiching as well as all the fond memories over the years make this one of my favourite places and one that will always have a special place in my heart.

Good birding,
Paul

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Announcing An Exciting New Vlog Collaboration

Back in February of this year, I revealed I would be launching a vlog. Being new to video and trying to learn the software required to stitch everything together, I wasn’t happy with the quality of the videos I was putting out. As a result, I haven’t uploaded as many videos to my YouTube channel as I had envisioned when I decided to start the vlog.

I am super excited to announce the incredibly talented and creative Nick J. Scott is now producing my vlog. You may recognize Nick’s name from his work on the movie Liminality, as well as his Fuse 90 series, among many other notable projects.

Nick’s production skills have improved the vlog so much and I couldn’t be happier. I hope you enjoy the new graphic and musical elements as much as I do.

My YouTube channel has been renamed Explore The Wild with Paul Roedding, as I hope to create videos that appeal beyond birding and photography to also include more wild elements both from my northern location and the London area – such as paddling, hiking, camping, and of course more adventures with Molly!

I can’t thank Nick enough for contributing his amazing talents to the vlog. Episode 1, Patch Birding, a revamped (and much better) version of my earlier Birding At My Local Patch vlog, can be viewed below. If you enjoy it be sure to like and subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the bell for notification when new episodes are released. Spoiler alert: I happen to have a lot of footage from the Algonquin Park area that may be featured in the next installment of Explore The Wild (wink wink).

Good birding,
Paul

0 - Announcing An Exciting New Vlog Collaboration

Watch this video on YouTube

Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park

I can’t think of a bird more iconic to Canada’s wilderness than the Common Loon. Breeding in every province and all three territories, loons truly are Canadian. When I decided to move north for the season, the Common Loon was one species I hoped to see and photograph more. So far this season, I have not been disappointed as I have had my fair share of encounters with loons. Most of my loon watching has been done from the water in my Swift Pack Boat paddling many lakes in Algonquin Provincial Park as well as a few outside the park. So far, every lake I have paddled (and I’ve paddled quite a few now) has revealed at least one loon.

IMG 1733 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park

IMG 1732 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **Capturing a series of shots of a loon setting its wings was something I have always dreamed of.**

Interestingly, most of the loons I have come across have shown little to no fear of me and have ventured closer on their own as if almost curious by my presence. This has resulted in some incredible views of these beautiful birds. Some birds have been within a paddle length of my boat and I’ve even been able to watch them swim underwater after they dive.

IMG 3110 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **Common Loon incubating an egg on a nest.**

Some of the lakes I’ve paddled have resulted in the sighting of baby loons. Not wanting to stress out the adults, I have left considerable space between me and these birds and have been happy to watch from a respectable distance. While driving along a backroad, I could see an adult loon sitting on a nest only a few metres from the road. The legs of a loon are located far back on their bodies making them excellent divers but being chest heavy they cannot move well on land. Consequently, loons construct nests close to water where dead plant matter is formed into a mound where the female with lay one to two eggs.

IMG 3185 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — This single egg was the only one present in a loon nest found in a back bay of a lake in Algonquin Park. Please note, this image was taken from a road a respectable distance from the nest and I quickly moved on after taking the shot.

Photographing loons or any species from my pack boat proves to be a real challenge given that not only is the subject moving but I too am regularly drifting with the wind. Often I find myself out of position for a shot due to the wind pointing me in a different direction than what I need to be facing. This means I have to adjust my entire boat and not just my body resulting in missed opportunities for photos. In other areas, I do carry a small collapsible anchor to prevent this but many of the lakes in Algonquin are quite deep and I would have to carry more anchor rope than feasible. Working with my shutter speed set to at least 1/1000 helps freeze the action if the loon or my boat is moving and slowing panning much like photographing a bird in flight is often required.

IMG 2018 Edit - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **Common Loon stretching its wings.**

As I paddle new lakes and familiarize myself with Algonquin Provincial Park, carrying a map with me has been incredibly helpful with navigation. I recently purchased a couple of maps, one is Algonquin Park Canoe Routes, which as the name suggests is specific to canoe routes and the other map is the Algonquin Provincial Park waterproof map. This map covers the park in great detail from east to west and is great for paddlers, hikers, cyclists, or anyone who visits the park. Showing campsites, canoe routes, trails, and even fishing spots this map is a must-have for park users. To protect these maps from the elements I keep them in a SealLine Map Case. This clear case allows me to easily read the map after folding it to the section of the park I’m paddling and placing it inside. Keeping the map in the case beside me for quick reference is super handy if I am unsure of where I am or which direction I need to go. I consider myself to have an excellent sense of direction but when venturing out on unfamiliar waters a map is a must-have.

IMG 3524 2 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **I came across this baby loon while paddling the Madawaska River.**

One afternoon while paddling the Madawaska River, I came across a baby loon all by itself. With no parents in sight, it let our several soft little loon calls I assume to reunite with its parents. Realizing this young loon would have little chance of surviving without adults to care for it, this encounter was was a sad one for me. Fortunately, after posting the above photo on Facebook many of my followers informed me that they have observed adult loons leave their babies for hours at a time only to come back to them later. This new knowledge gave me hope that this cute little ball of fluff may eventually meet up with its parents later that afternoon.

IMG 3321 - Loon Watching In Algonquin Provincial Park — **Staying in the Algonquin area until sometime in October should afford me plenty more opportunities to photograph the Common Loon.**

I plan on many more days of loon watching in Algonquin Park. I hope to also put together a vlog featuring the various video clips I have captured of loon behaviour including their eerie calls. I look forward to sharing more images of the Common Loon in future blog posts as I continue to have more close encounters with this iconic bird.

Good birding,
Paul

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Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020

For those of you who followed me last summer, you may remember I spent several months at the family cottage in Orillia, Ontario. An escape from city-life while being surrounded by nature from July to September was something I was very fortunate to experience. Being able to work anywhere there is an internet connection is what I love most about my day job plus I have the flexibility to make my own hours and get out and enjoy nature as much as I do.

IMG 4070 1 2 Vibrant Edit - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **Lions Lookout in Huntsville, Ontario is a great place to take in a sunset.**

This year, I am doing something similar but have relocated even farther north until the fall. Wanting to explore new areas, I made the decision late in 2019 to buy a travel trailer. Despite going about things in an unusual order things so far are working out great. Early last year I began researching travel trailers. Not wanting anything too big I narrowed down what I wanted but had not settled on a brand or model.

IMG 0531 - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **As part of a study that began in the 1970s, over 500 Painted Turtles in Wold Howl Pond in Algonquin Provincial Park have had their shells numbered with white paint**.

In November I found what looked like the perfect campground one that had seasonal sites available, catered to older and professional campers, and was surrounded by lakes, rivers, and plenty of hiking trails to explore. A quiet campground was really important for me as I would have to work from my trailer and didn’t want to listen to unruly 20-somethings partying all hours of the night. After all, I was that age once and would not have wanted to be neighbours with me and my roommates when we were in our 20s.

IMG 0633 - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **I found this Great Blue Heron in the Beaver Pond while hiking at Algonquin Provincial Park.**

Having never seen the campground or even been in the area, I paid for a seasonal site based on pictures on the campground’s website and speaking with the owner. Now I needed to decide on a trailer. After looking at several makes and models at local dealerships, I finally settled on one in December. I ended up getting a 20 ft model with a queen-size bed, full bathroom, and small kitchen. The small kitchen was not an issue for me as I planned on doing most of my cooking outside anyway as spending more time outdoors was the whole reason for this venture. What impressed me most about this small trailer was the abundance of storage something I would need for all of my gear plus work-related items. Owning a small SUV, I can’t actually tow my trailer but do intend to get a tow vehicle at some point thus I arranged spring delivery with the dealer I purchased from.

IMG 4292 Edit - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **Stubb’s Falls in Arrowhead Provincial Park was a great place to visit.**

Spring of 2020 arrived and while in the midst of preparing to make the move north COVID-19 hit. With campgrounds closed my delivery date was now up in the air. I didn’t let this bother me as I really try not to stress about things I have no control over plus the health of the world is more important than me taking delivery of a trailer. Finally, after a few months of uncertainty, the campground was allowed to open to seasonal campers and I had my trailer delivered only a few weeks later than originally scheduled.

IMG 0681 Edit 3 - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **A large meadow full of Hawkweed behind the campground attracts a wide variety of butterflies like this Canadian Tiger Swallowtail.**

I have now been living and working from the trailer since the 3rd week of May and absolutely love it. I still make return trips to London to see my Dad and help with his yard work but plan on being up here most of the time until the campground closes in October. So where am I? Well to maintain some privacy I won’t say exactly but will say I am only a short drive from Algonquin Provincial Park. The area is full of lakes, rivers, and hiking trails to explore as well as other provincial parks only a short drive away. I’ve had the chance to do some exploring on my days off and after work and have enjoyed getting out paddling once again this year, something I got back into last summer.

IMG 4158 59 60 Default Edit Edit - Looking Forward To A Season Of New Opportunities In 2020 — **The Lookout Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park may be my new favourite place to watch the sun set.**

I look forward to a season full of new adventures and discovering new areas. Up until last month, I had never visited Algonquin Provincial Park before and am now in love with this breathtaking piece of land. I hope to see and photograph new species and have already seen my first ever wild moose and Black-backed Woodpecker. Taking time to blog more regularly and share the stories and images of my adventures as they happen is something I plan on as well. With a full season ahead of me, I am excited about the endless opportunities and time in nature that will transpire over the coming months. I hope you will all continue to follow along on my adventures despite the fact I won’t be blogging and sharing images from Southwestern Ontario for a few months. I know many of you visit this area regularly and I hope you will be interested in hearing of my experiences as I explore this vast landscape.

Good birding,
Paul

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A Search For Warblers Reveals A Family Of Owls

Last Friday, I awoke to steady rain. The forecast was calling for showers and thunderstorms into the afternoon so birding that day wasn’t on my radar. I was moving pretty slow enjoying my coffee and still in my pajamas. By mid-morning, the rain had stopped and the sun was out. I quickly got dressed, grabbed my camera and binoculars, and headed out the door. I planned to check an area close to home for warblers as birding immediately following rain can be highly rewarding as the showers tend to push birds close to the ground resulting in amazing views. Some of my best days birding have been during similar conditions.

IMG 0157 Edit - A Search For Warblers Reveals A Family Of Owls — **A flock of Blue Jays harassing this adult Great Horned Owl alerted me to its presence.**

Shortly after arriving, I tallied a multitude of warblers moving through the low trees and shrubs slightly higher than eye level. Blackburnian, Magnolia, and Bay-breasted were all observed within a matter of minutes. As I made my way into a clearing in the forest, I heard a flock of Blue Jays calling aggressively. To my delight, I saw a Great Horned Owl perched in a tree being mobbed by the jays.

IMG 9943 Edit 6 - A Search For Warblers Reveals A Family Of Owls — **One of two young Great Horned Owls observed on this day.**

Raising my camera, I captured a few images of the owl perched in a large tree. All of a sudden, something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. It was a young owl flying past eventually landing in a nearby tree. As the young owl again took flight, the adult followed making their way to another tree. Looking with my binoculars I saw a second adult and young owl deeper in the forest. I was pretty excited to have stumbled upon this family of owls.

IMG 0017 Edit - A Search For Warblers Reveals A Family Of Owls — **Within a few minutes of spotting the first adult bird, it became apparent this was an entire family of Great Horned Owls.**

As I watched the family of owls it appeared the young ones were possibly learning to fly or hunt. I stood motionless under a tree and watched as the owlets made short flights from tree to tree while the parents watched carefully. One of the adult owls stayed close to each juvenile at all times never taking their eyes off them.

IMG 0005 Edit - A Search For Warblers Reveals A Family Of Owls — **Adult Great Horned Owls keeping a close watch on their offspring.**

Watching the eyes and heads of the adult owls move in unison as the owlets flew around was almost comical. This spectacle reminded me of the emphatic motions of synchronized swimmers performing a well-choreographed routine.

IMG 0080 Edit - A Search For Warblers Reveals A Family Of Owls — **As I stood motionless in the forest the adult Great Horned Owls were more interested in the whereabouts of their owlets than my presence.**

Not wanting to put added stress on the adults or young owls during what was seemingly a vital life lesson, I carried on after watching for only a few minutes while quickly capturing photos. Despite being a brief encounter, it is one I will always remember. Out of respect for the birds, I do not share owl locations but I will say these are not any of our over publicized owls here in the city.

IMG 0133 Edit - A Search For Warblers Reveals A Family Of Owls — **Finding this family of Great Horned Owls is certainly a highlight of birding this spring.**

As I carried on through the forest, my focus once again turned to warblers. As more and more of these colorful songbirds came into view, I kept thinking about the amazing encounter I had just had with these Great Horned Owls. This is one of the elements of birding I love the most, you never know what you are going to see. I look forward to getting out again this week for more adventures and the endless possibilities they may bring and sharing my experiences in nature with each of you.

Good birding,
Paul

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Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion

In my recent post, Underutilized Area Houses An Array Of Spring Migrants I wrote about birding lately at a secluded location while achieving great views of a variety of species. This past week I returned to this area several times to bird in seclusion which resulted in great birding and many more first of year species.

IMG 9126 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **Large quantities of White-crowned Sparrows, a first of years species for me, were observed this past week.**

As was the case last week Eastern Towhees, Brown Thrashers, and Gray Catbirds were among the most abundant species. Several first of year sparrow species were observed including White-crowned and Lincoln’s. As I scanned the open fields and forest edges with my binoculars the sight of these birds strewn across the ground could be seen while the sounds of leaves rustling under their feet as they foraged could be heard. It truly was impressive.

IMG 1396 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **Several thrushes were observed including Veery**

Thrushes were also abundant with Hermit, Gray-cheeked, Wood, and Veery all recorded. When it comes to thrushes, Veery seem to be the least concerned about people and incredible views from a few feet are often obtainable if you move slowly.

IMG 1481 2 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **The Ovenbird can easily be mistaken for a thrush as they are similar in appearance and are typically observed on the forest floor. Despite these similarities, Ovenbirds are a warbler.**

Several first of year warblers were observed with Black-throated Green, Nashville, Common Yellowthroat, and Ovenbird all seen. Other warblers present were Pine, Palm, Yellow-rumped, and many Yellow.

IMG 8713 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **This past week I saw an increased number of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks**

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles were noticed in higher numbers this week as were flycatchers with several Least Flycatchers observed.

IMG 9679 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **This cute baby Raccoon and its siblings emerged from a broken-off tree.**

While working my way along a trail I heard a familiar sound. With my brain focussed on birds, I couldn’t place the call I was hearing. I then realized the sound was not a bird but in fact raccoons. As I looked around I saw several cute baby raccoons spilling out of a broken-off tree as their mom wandered down into the ravine.

IMG 9564 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **Eastern Chipmunk**

Eastern Chipmunks could be seen scurrying along the forest floor and across fallen logs while their chip and chuck calls could be heard throughout the property.

IMG 9009 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **Male Yellow Warbler singing**

I still haven’t seen an impressive number of warblers in this area as I have with some of the other species mentioned. Geographically and in terms of habitat this area has plenty to offer warblers so it may be a case of these birds running a bit late this year. Whether this will happen or not at this location remains to be seen. Every aspect of this spring has been unusual so far including the weather and lack of winds with a southerly component so I am still optimistic large quantities of warblers will appear and I will certainly be returning next week to find out.

IMG 9818 2 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak**

The element of seclusion added to the experience as it was just me and the birds. It’s not that I’m antisocial or don’t like people, birding in seclusion is my way to distress, let go of any unwanted emotions, and reset my brain. While some may meditate or turn to other self-care activities, I go birding. Given the uncertainty of everything going on in the world right now and the advice to continue with physical distancing, I have been avoiding any location I feel will be too busy. This includes all of the locations I would typically visit at this time of year. Being able to relax and unwind in nature has been something I am grateful for.

IMG 8904 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **Unlike many other warblers that are typically observed high overhead, the Palm Warbler prefers to spend most of its time on the ground.**

I have uploaded a new video to YouTube from my visit to this area last week titled A Great Day Birding At A Secluded Area where you can see many of the aforementioned species in action. If you enjoy my videos, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel.

IMG 8953 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **This area of seclusion has been full of Eastern Towhees over the past several weeks. Pictured here is a male.**

I want to thank everyone who has been using the Amazon links I provide in some of my blog posts to purchase products. This is one way you can support my photography which allows me to devote more time to writing blogs and working on videos for my YouTube channel. For those of you not familiar with the Amazon affiliate program and how it works when products are purchased from Amazon through a link I provide, Amazon pays me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please note, I only provide links to products I have purchased with my own money, have used myself, and am happy with based on their performance and durability.

IMG 8369 - Enjoying Spring Migration While Birding In Seclusion — **I am still seeing good numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglets in our area leading me to believe that migration may be a little bit behind this year.**

If you have the opportunity, find your own secluded area and get out and enjoy nature. I think with more consistent weather, warmer temperatures, and a south wind we could see a big movement of birds, in particular, warblers to our area. With parks and conservation areas opening up remember to take the necessary precautions and continue to physical distance. With a little forethought, we can all enjoy the great outdoors while not setting society back or making our sacrifices over the past two months for nothing.

Good birding,
Paul