An unusual scene to start the day, a fox eating a dead beaver on the highway.
In June 2025, I was on my way for a sunrise paddle. Arriving at the launch, just off a major highway, I discovered a beaver that had been hit by a car. I have to admit, it was a gruesome sight, and I felt upset for the beaver who had lost his life. As I sat in my car, feeling my emotions, a fox emerged from the dense vegetation along the road. I watched as the fox ventured onto the highway to help itself to an easy meal. Realizing the fox was also likely to be struck and killed by a passing vehicle, I knew I had to do something.
I decided to move the beaver off the highway so the fox or other scavengers wouldn’t meet the same fate. I didn’t want to touch the beaver with my bare hands, so I considered my options. Using my paddle was the only solution I found.
The fox’s fur was wet from rubbing against the dew-covered foliage at the side of the highway.
Traffic was light as it was an early weekday morning. I deemed it safe to enter the middle of the highway with my paddle and attempt to move the beaver. An adult beaver can weigh 35-50 pounds, and this large one easily fell within that range. Hoping to balance it with my paddle, I exited my vehicle.
Before starting, I checked for cars and, reassured by the empty road, took a moment to pick up my camera from the passenger seat and snap a few images of the fox. Afterward, I opened the hatch and grabbed my paddle, wondering if my Werner Camano composite paddle would be up to the unusual challenge ahead.
Capturing these images of the fox in the early morning light required a higher ISO. These images were all shot at ISO 1250, f/7.1, which resulted in a shutter speed of 1/640.
After checking for traffic, I walked to the highway’s center. The skittish fox moved to the shoulder but watched me closely. As I lifted the beaver onto my paddle, the fox ran up and eyed me, as if to ask, “Where are you going with my breakfast?” The beaver was heavy, but surprisingly, I balanced it. The smell was indescribable.
After clearing the beaver off the highway, the fox could safely enjoy its easy meal.
With the beaver balanced on my paddle, I crossed to the far side of the highway. The fox stayed right beside me. In fact, he was better at heeling than most dogs I know. Stepping over the guardrail, I brought the beaver into a gravelly clearing, far from the road, for the fox and other scavengers to enjoy. Some entrails remained on the road. To finish my deed, I needed to move these too.
Even when my subject is slow moving like this great blue heron, I use a fast shutter speed. My camera settings for this shot were 1/1000, f7.1, ISO 800.
I scooped what I could with my paddle, and as I did, the fox reappeared at my heels. The fox grabbed about three feet of what I think was intestine and pranced across the highway, shaking it in its mouth like a dog with a rope toy. Despite how gross it was, it was kind of comical as the fox looked quite proud.
Unsure how close I could get to this cow moose, I used my Canon RF 1.4 extender on my RF 100-500 mm lens. My camera settings for this shot were 1/400, f/10, ISO 1600.
With the beaver clear of the highway and the fox left to his meal, it was time to unload my pack boat and begin my paddle. As I crossed the lake, I heard the haunting call of a common loon. A great blue heron foraged along the shoreline, and at the far end of the lake, I saw a cow moose.
The day began unexpectedly, and the initial sight left me unsettled. Still, knowing I likely saved the fox and later seeing more wildlife made it a good day.
I underexposed this shot by 2/3 in order to properly capture the darks in this scene.
I now carry disposable gloves and garbage bags in my car. If I come across roadkill again without my paddle, I can move it and dispose of the gloves at the next garbage bin.
After getting a little close to the moose I removed my extender. 1/800, ISO 1600, f/7.1
These images and story are more graphic than usual for me, but I wanted to share this message in hopes of preventing more unnecessary roadkill.
Last season, the Red Fox was a species I failed to photograph. This year, I’ve already managed several images of this sly animal.
I can’t believe I’ve been at my trailer for a month already. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. I’ve settled in nicely and developed a balance between work and play that is working out well as I have had time to do lots of both.
Bald Eagle photographed from my canoe while paddling the Madawaska River.
Choosing to start work at 4 a.m. allows me to take time later in the day for hiking or paddling and having the flexibility to make my own schedule is what I love most about my day job. People often question how I can spend so much time enjoying the outdoors and simply put I make time. Whether it’s starting early, working evenings, or even on weekends I do what is required so I can spend time in nature. This is what I love and keeps me healthy both physically and mentally, so making time for it is a priority.
This Hairy Woodpecker and his mate excavated a tree cavity about forty yards from my trailer and are now nesting. I’m looking forward to watching them raise their brood this season.
During the recent warm spell, I’ve spent more time paddling than hiking. The breeze off the lakes keeps me cooler and photographing nature along the water’s edge is easier than shooting through a dense forest. My paddles have been rather strategic thus far as with Algonquin Park closed to campers the area is a ghost town. I’m using this to my advantage to find wildlife and am visiting areas where plenty of park-goers will be once the province opens up to campers.
With fourteen moose observed already, I’ve surpassed my total from last season.
My moose count this year sits at fourteen, which far surpasses my total from all of last season. In fact, it was later in the year before I saw my first moose last season. My best moose sighting was a cow and two calves at the edge of a lake. They were pretty far away, too far for photos, but I enjoyed the view with my binoculars and captured a short video which I posted to Facebook with my Panasonic Lumix camera with a 60x zoom.
I’m no biologist and my hypothesis would still need to be proven, but I’m willing to wager road mortality in wildlife would decrease if said wildlife would not stop for a dump in the middle of a busy highway.
Also seen in good numbers, have been Red Fox. Some mornings I’ve seen one not too far from camp and on several trips into Algonquin I’ve observed them beside the highway. One morning while on my way into the park I saw a fox running at the side of the road. I pulled over and captured a few images as it retreated into the vegetation adjacent to the gravel shoulder. After passing by it then darted back out on the highway and proceeded to cross. To my surprise, the fox stopped in the middle of the highway and pooped on the freshly laid asphalt before continuing across.
Common Loon covered in black flies.
Loons are one of my favourite birds to photograph and like last year I’ve come across them on most of the lakes I’ve paddled. One pair I found had a nest at the edge of the lake with a single egg that I could see with binoculars. People are curious to know how the black flies are up here and personally I don’t find them bad. That being said, I typically don’t get bit by black flies or mosquitos so I might not be the best person to ask. I’ve heard several theories as to why this is, but all I know is I am grateful for this. On one of my paddles, I came to within a boat length of a loon that was covered in black flies and I never had a single bite or even any swarming around me.
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies feeding on a pile of dung.
Last week, Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterflies appeared in huge numbers. These yellow and black beauties are everywhere. On a day trip up the Oxtongue River, a large group of these butterflies was feeding on a pile of dung. Why do butterflies eat dung you ask? From what I’ve read, dung is rich in sodium and nitrogen two elements required for reproductions that flower nectar lacks.
Paddling up a narrow creek to a tiny set of rapids is something I really enjoy. The sound of the flowing water is so serene.
Since I last published a blog, I’ve continued to do more fishing than I did last season. With bass season still closed and having caught my fair share of pike, I’ve switched my attention to trout. Even back when I fished all the time I was never much of a trout fisherman. So far this year, my success trout fishing has been quite good. Armed with a few small Mepps and some Len Thompson lures I’ve managed to catch several Brook Trout in various rivers and Lake Trout on the larger lakes. I do enjoy eating the occasional fish, but find it hard to kill these amazing creatures so everything has been catch and release thus far.
I caught this small Brook Trout while fishing on the Oxtongue River. To see my latest YouTube video featuring this catch, see the link in the paragraph below.
Speaking of Brook Trout, I uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel called Exploring The Oxtongue River where I paddle this beautiful waterbody and find a variety of birds, run a small set of rapids with my dog Molly, and catch a small Brook trout.
Loon shaking off the black flies.
I’m looking forward to many more weeks this season at the trailer enjoying nature and exploring new areas of Algonquin Park while returning to some old favourites. Based on my time so far, it’s shaping up to be another amazing season for sure. I look forward to sharing more stories from my adventures and the images I capture and appreciate all of you following along with me.
In my first week, I’ve already had an amazing encounter with a moose.
Late last week, I migrated north to spend another season living from my small travel trailer in the vicinity of Algonquin Provincial Park. This is the same move I did last year and loved every minute so was excited to get back up here again. With so many miles of hiking, paddling, and nature to explore I’m completely in my element here and would describe this as my happy place. Fortunately, my day job allows me to work from anywhere I can connect to the internet and my 20′ trailer provides me all the luxuries of home including a queen bed, kitchen with dinette, and a full bathroom. Amazingly, this small trailer has more storage than my first house.
White-throated Sparrow singing its Oh Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada song.
Arriving early Friday morning I was happy to see everything survived the winter. Setup was quick and easy and merely a matter of connecting the water and sewer hose, and plugging into the hydro. Following this, I put together my 12′ x12′ screen room which increases my space and gives me a place to sit outside to escape the bugs. Once again this year the black flies are almost nonexistent.
Many of the shallow bays I chose to fish were full of big pike. Unfortunately, I only managed to catch the small ones. Fun to catch nonetheless!
I didn’t have a real plan for the first week other than to get into a work routine and try to find a balance between work and seeking adventure. With pike season having opened a week earlier I did want to get out and do some fishing. Catching these large fish when they are still in shallow bays after spawning has always been something I have loved. Before getting so into birding and photography I was an avid fisherman in fact even more fanatical about fishing than I am birding. When I wasn’t working I was fishing or thinking about fishing, reading a fishing magazine, or watching a fishing show on TV. However, several years ago I lost the fishing bug, partly due to burnout, I spent a minimum of 55 hours in a five day work week driving a truck for a living so when the weekend rolled around the last thing I wanted to do was spend more time driving to the lake, and partly due to a back injury. This season I want to do more fishing and have already been out several times this week.
Northern Parula
While making my way down a small river to the bay I chose to fish, I could hear the sound of several warblers singing from tree-lined banks. I always take my camera with me in my pack boat so was ready for any opportunities that presented themselves. For anyone who has tried photographing warblers, you know how challenging it is. Trying to photograph them while drifting down a river with the current is even more challenging. With my camera set to a fast shutter speed, I managed a few images. Along this stretch of river, I observed Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Northern Parula. Not bad for a morning of fishing!
This Wild Turkey has been a regular behind my trailer and has provided me with great views.
Around my trailer, the woods are filled with the sounds of birds. If you like to sleep in and don’t like the “noise” birds make in the mornings you’d hate it here. The loud shriek-like call of the raven can be heard most mornings along with the constant drumming and calls of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, and Northern Flickers. The teacher, teacher, teacher call of the Ovenbird has echoed from the forest from sunup to sundown all week. Magnolia Warblers have been quite vocal too. Another bird that is quite abundant here is the White-throated Sparrow. Starting my day hearing their Oh Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada song makes me feel incredibly patriotic and fortunate to live in such an amazing country filled with beautiful wildlife. A Wild Turkey is a regular behind my trailer and I’ve had great views of this bird both while having my morning coffee and while eating dinner.
Red Squirrel
Mammal activity around the trailer includes Red Squirrels, chipmunks and on two mornings a fox has passed by. One morning while out for a short walk, I came across a fresh pile of wolf scat. Algonquin wolves are present in the woods where I am and I was fortunate to see them on several occasions last year, but I would love to photograph this species. Knowing there is one so close to my trailer makes me think my chances might be good this year.
Having this moose come to within twenty feet of me is an experience I’ll never forget.
Having success birding and fishing this first week it was hard to decide where to focus my attention when I wasn’t working. Keeping in mind the spot that had so many warblers present along the small river I decided to check out a few other similar areas on foot. These areas weren’t as productive but I had my best sighting of the week on the drive back to camp. Passing a boggy area my eyes were equally focused on the road and the bog. As I was about to exit the bog a large brown object caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I quickly turned my head and to my delight, it was a moose. After looking in all my mirrors and checking over my shoulder I safely made a U-turn and parked on the side of the road. I exited my vehicle with my camera in hand and began taking images of this bull moose.
Unsure if this was his friendly face, I decided to step behind my car for safety.
After watching for several minutes, the moose began making its way out of the bog and towards me. I have to admit I was more than a little nervous as this animal was huge. I stepped slowly back in the direction of my car to use it as a buffer between me and the moose. The moose turned paralleling the road walking back towards the cedars. I thought this creature was going to retreat into the dense foliage but then it turned and came even closer. The moose seemed to want to cross the road but every time it was almost on the road I could hear traffic coming. Not wanting to see a moose/car collision I made noise and the moose would stop. I did this on three occasions. When there was no sound of traffic I kept quiet and the moose crossed the road about half a car length away as I stood behind my driver’s door ready to dive in and slam it shut if necessary. This encounter was awesome and one I’ll never forget. To be this close to such a massive wild animal was truly amazing.
American Redstart
As you can see it was an amazing first week back at my trailer. I sure hope this is a sign of things to come this season. I’m here until Thanksgiving and am looking forward to many more adventures and sharing my images and stories with you along the way. I hope to blog more from here than I did last year and am trying to leave time each week to do so. If you don’t already, follow me on Facebook or Instagram for daily posts from my adventures.
Paying close attention to the weather conditions recently lead me to a wide variety of birds including this Cedar Waxwing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.*
An undeveloped shoreline on Lake Couchiching remains one of my favorite places to explore nature.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This pair of Great Horned Owls were observed in a forest clearing keeping a close eye one their fledglings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Patch briding is all the rage these days given the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Patch birding certainly isn’t a new term but one we are hearing a lot more lately given the COVID-19 pandemic. With provincial parks and other natural areas closed until further notice, many of us are resorting to patch birding. This phrase simply means birding regularly in an area close to home. This could be a park down the street, around a neighbourhood stormwater pond, or even your own backyard. For me, the majority of my birding would be described as patch birding anyway even if we weren’t experiencing a pandemic.
The wetland at my local patch is home to several Wood Ducks.
Lately, I have been visiting a couple of patches on alternating days to give me a bit of a change of scenery. The variety and number of birds present at both these locations are quite impressive and I have been more than satisfied with my observations. The nice thing about patch birding is I can pop over to my local patch on short notice and at any time during the day to see what birds are active.
Red-tailed Hawk
The mixed habitat at my local patches attracts a wide variety of resident birds and migrants with songbirds, birds of prey, waterfowl, and even shorebirds present. Being walking distance to one of these areas and only a short drive from the other means I am not spending much on gas getting to my birding destinations which is nice since I have been without work for almost a month.
The rapid notes of the Downy Woodpecker’s call can be heard in both the patches I regularly visit.
Regardless of where you live a local patch exists nearby. As mentioned earlier, this could be your local park, backyard, or for those of you who live in a more rural area even walking past a wooded area or meadow on your county road. The nice thing about patch birding is there are endless possibilities to find an area all to yourself where you can enjoy the great outdoors while practicing physical distancing.
Northern Flickers love ants and as such are often observed feeding on the ground.
With several area bird festivals already canceled and others sure to be, it looks like we will all be patch birding during the peak of migration in May. Now is a great time to get out and search for your own patch for when the big wave of migrants arrive.
Mallards and other waterfowl have now paired up in preparation of the upcoming nesting season.
Normally I am happy to share my locations with blog subscribers; however, given the possibility of these areas becoming too crowded, I have chosen to keep them to myself. I would encourage others to keep their patch a secret too.
Eastern Phoebes are the first of the flycatchers to return to our area each spring and are once again present.
If you find yourself not getting out enough lately with the closure of provincial parks and other natural areas, find your own patch and discover the abundance of birds present within it. Remember to practice physical distancing while outdoors and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature that surrounds you. Let the simple things in life remind you of what is really important and guide you through these difficult times.
Carefully choosing my settings for both the amount of light and my subject helped me capture this image of a Green Heron.
Whether you are a professional photographer or simply a hobbyist, the goal of everyone who photographs birds is the same, sharper images. What many beginners often fail to realize is that sharp images have more to do with knowing how to properly use a camera and getting the most out of it than the price tag on it. Camera settings are what make or break a photo, and in this post I am going to share with you four settings you may not be using that will help improve your final images.
Capturing this image of a Common Tern moments after passing a small perch to a youngster required the proper camera settings.
1. Use Aperture Priority Mode Or Manual Mode To Set Your Exposure
Every great image starts with proper exposure. If your exposure is off these photos are destined for the recycle bin. Getting the correct exposure in-camera is key as this results in the best image possible. If you have to adjust your exposure in Lightroom or other photo editing program after the fact your image quality is going to suffer. The more you adjust the more it suffers. For anyone still shooting in automatic mode, the sooner you move out of this mode the sooner your images will improve. Remember when shooting in automatic mode your camera is calculating your exposure for you based on the amount of available light. Light is only part of the equation when it comes to an image. What about your subject? Isn’t that after all the purpose of taking the photo to capture the subject? Since your camera cannot identify your subject or whether or not it is moving leaving elements of the exposure such as shutter speed up to the camera is a bad idea. In order to get sharp images, you have to set the parameters of your exposure based not only on the amount of available light but also your subject and the only way to do this is by taking control of your settings.
I photographed this Black-crowned Night Heron using aperture priority mode while paying close attention to my histogram. Learning how to read your camera’s histogram will ensure proper exposure and help capture the most detail especially in a bird’s white feathers.
If you are new to photography and a bit overwhelmed by exposure, I recommend starting with aperture priority mode. In this mode, you select the aperture and ISO and the camera will automatically select the correct corresponding shutter speed. By doing this you can choose a wide aperture and high ISO which results in a fast shutter speed thus freezing the action of a fast-moving bird. Whenever the light permits, I like my shutter speed to be at least 1/1000 to ensure sharp images. Many will ask why not use shutter priority set at 1/1000? There are several reasons I do not use shutter priority. First, in aperture priority mode I have control of depth of field which allows me to better isolate my subject from the background. Second, in low light, I would have to shoot at a very high ISO to achieve 1/1000 shutter speed and my image would be too noisy. For anyone shooting with a full-frame camera, this option may work for you but on my APS-C sensor, I would not be impressed with my final images. This is one of the few instances where I would delete a photo due to noise. In low light situations with aperture priority mode, the camera will choose a slower shutter speed but with good technique, I can still freeze the action. If the light is really poor and the bird is moving I may end up with a blurry image but this is a limitation of my gear and the reality of photography some times. The only way to overcome this would be to invest in a full-frame camera capable of shooting at a much higher ISO.
Far too often images are underexposed when shooting in fully automatic mode. The only way to ensure proper exposure is by taking control of your settings.
The other option is to shoot in manual mode. In this mode, the photographer chooses all aspects of the exposure shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. Manual mode is a bit trickier as there is one more element to factor in but once comfortable you have full control and can really fine-tune your exposure with even the slightest change in light. Regardless of which of these two modes you choose, be sure to check your exposure on your histogram and adjust your settings accordingly to get the proper exposure.
Despite not being an overly fast-moving subject, I still chose an ISO of 800 to ensure my shutter speed was fast enough to freeze these Sandhill Cranes as they moved across a cornfield.
2. Carefully Select Your ISO
Regardless of whether you choose aperture priority or manual mode selecting the proper ISO is imperative. Too high and ISO and you end up with noisy images, too low an ISO and you won’t achieve a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the action. One misconception many photographers have is that their camera is not capable of sharp, noise-free images at 800 ISO or higher. In my experience, any DSLR on the market today is quite capable of noise-free images at 800 ISO and even slightly higher if you get the exposure right. The problem is when you get the exposure wrong in-camera and start making adjustments in Lightroom, especially when you try to brighten an underexposed image. This accentuates the noise rendering the photo unusable. If the proper exposure is achieved in-camera very little noise is seen when opened in Lightroom and can easily be removed with the noise reduction slider.
A higher ISO results in a faster shutter speed which is required to freeze the action of a fast-moving bird. Digital noise can easily be removed in Lightroom or similar programs.
Whenever I am out in the field, I always start at ISO 800 as this typically results in a shutter speed of 1/1000 with a wide-open aperture even on cloudy days. If it is really cloudy, early morning, or other low light conditions I will bump my ISO up to 1250 or even 1600 and have no issues with noise provided I get the exposure correct. When I botch my exposure these images quickly get deleted upon returning home. I don’t even bother trying to adjust the exposure in Lightroom as I know these images will appear too noisy. When this occurs, and I fully admit it does, I think of the old saying you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. This is not the fault of the camera, the blame is solely on me for choosing the wrong settings or not being able to adjust them fast enough for the changing conditions. On sunny days I set my ISO lower but usually cannot go below 400 and still achieve a shutter speed of 1/1000. The bottom line is don’t be afraid to up your ISO. Sharp images with a bit of noise are better than a blurry image with no noise. When exposed properly you will miss more shots due to motion blur, a result of a shutter speed that was too slow, than you will because an image is too noisy.
Photographing an Osprey while it balances on a narrow perch seconds after it lands it much easier shooting multiple frames simultaneously.
3. Choose High-Speed Continuous Shooting
Cameras these days are capable of some pretty impressive burst rates now over 10 frames per second on newer models. However, if your camera is set to one-shot or single shooting you are not taking advantage of this feature. The only way to achieve a flight sequence of a bird of prey or waterfowl is to obtain focus and hold down the shutter, thus utilizing your maximum frames per second. This setting also comes in handy with slower-moving subjects like a shorebird running down the beach or a flitting songbird.
Those of you familiar with the Sora will know they are not an easy bird to see or photograph as they often stay well-hidden. Tracking this bird until it stepped out into the clear allowed me to achieve this image.
4. Use AI Servo (Canon Shooters) or AF-C (Nikon Shooters) Auto Focus
Obtaining focus on a moving bird is certainly challenging but fortunately, this setting will help. When using AI Servo, or AF-C for you Nikon shooters, your camera will continuously focus on a moving subject as long as your shutter button is held halfway down. This allows you to track a bird in flight or a small songbird as its hops from branch to branch while maintaining focus. When you see the shot you want, hold the shutter button down and take advantage of the high-speed continuous shooting I mentioned earlier.
Conclusion
Choosing the right camera settings can seem overwhelming and a bit confusing especially if you are new to photography. Anyone can achieve sharper images regardless of how much your equipment cost; however, this requires you to step outside your comfort zone and adjust a few of your camera settings. If you are not certain how to make these adjustments consult your camera’s manual. With the press of a few buttons, these changes can be easily made.
Bird photography is supposed to be fun, not frustrating. Making sure you are using the best possible settings is the first step in capturing stunning images. If you haven’t already, give these camera settings a try and I’m sure you will see an improvement in your final images.
Good birding,
Paul
*Curious about what camera, lenses, and other equipment I use for nature photography? Be sure to check out my gear page for more details.*
Yellow Warblers are among the many migratory birds found in our area long after spring migration has ended.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Are you interested in joining me for a workshop to improve your nature and wildlife photography this November?
Whether you’re new to photography or are more experienced but not getting the results you want, use a DSLR or point and shoot camera, this workshop will help you improve your overall photography.
During my photography workshop I will teach you how to get the most out of your camera and lens combination. You don’t need expensive gear to achieve great images. This Black-capped Chickadee was photographed using a Canon 55-250mm lens, a lens that retails for $229.00.
The two hour workshop will be $25 per person, held at an event center in south London, and will be limited to five people for individualized attention.
The first half of the workshop will be indoors and we’ll focus on optimal camera settings for nature and wildlife photography, as well as other technical elements such as composition, shooting techniques and tips to improve your overall photography.
If you are not getting the desired results from your camera and lens combination, register for my nature and wildlife photography workshop.
During the second half of the workshop, we will venture outdoors to apply this knowledge in a natural setting. I will be providing one-on-one assistance as you photograph birds and other wildlife in their natural environment.
Please contact meif interested, and let me know what day of the week is preferred (weekdays or weekends) as well as time (morning or afternoon), as I will be booking the venue based on your feedback.
