Art Prints

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Thank You, 2011, for all the awesome birdies!


Cedar Waxwing
Northern Shrike
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Snow Geese
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Snow Geese
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Iceland Gull, Photo Courtesy Helena G.
Saturday Dec. 17:
Always An Adventure’s WINTER Program started today east of Ottawa looking for raptors and open country birds. 2-300 Snow Geese, perhaps the last of the season, were seen close to the village of St. Isidore. Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Shrike and Harrier were spotted several places.
At Casselman we had 5 species of gulls; Glaucous, Great Black-backed, Herring, Iceland and Ring-billed Gull.
Day list:
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Tree Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Canada Goose        
Common Merganser
European Starling
Glaucous Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Horned Lark
Iceland Gull
Northern Harrier
Northern Shrike
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Rough-legged Hawk
Snow Bunting
Snow Goose
Carolina Wren
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Cedar Waxwing
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Downy Woodpecker, Photo Courtesy Bill Bowman
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Monday Dec. 19:
We met at Carling Avenue for today’s excursion - Twitcher’s Delight.
Sheltered by the trees around Britannia Conservation Area and Mud Lake, we explored the area for rarities such as Northern Flicker and Carolina Wren. The Wren was a life birds for a couple in the group, me included. Another great surprise today was a small flock of about 16 Cedar Waxwings.
Day-list:
American Black Duck
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Canada Goose        
Carolina Wren
Cedar Waxwing
Common Goldeneye
Common Loon
Common Raven
Dark-eyed Junco
Downy Woodpecker
European Starling
Great Black-backed Gull
Hairy Woodpecker
Herring Gull
Hooded Merganser
House Finch
Lesser Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Purple Finch
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Rough-legged Hawk
White-breasted Nuthatch
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Lesser Scaup, Photo Courtesy Roger Cobbledick
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White-breasted Nuthatch, Photo Courtesy Deanna Wright
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American Robin, Photo Courtesy Tony Beck
Thursday Dec. 22:
We met along Cassles Road, at Britannia Conservation Area and Mud Lake. We managed to relocate the overwintering Northern Flicker and Carolina Wren.
Moving over to Dick Bell Park we could see two Snowy Owls on the other side of Lac Deschennes through the scope. We also had 2 White-winged Scoters and a Lesser Scaup.
Later we went to Shirley’s Bay area where we had Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk and Common Loon.
Day-list:
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
Bald Eagle
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Brown Creeper
Canada Goose        
Carolina Wren
Common Goldeneye
Common Loon
Common Raven
Downy Woodpecker
European Starling
Hairy Woodpecker
Herring Gull
House Finch
Iceland Gull
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Rough-legged Hawk
Snowy Owl
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-winged Scoter
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Red-tailed Hawk, Photo Courtesy Helena G.
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Snowy Owl, Photo Courtesy Bill Bowman
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Britannia Conservation Area
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Britannia Conservation Area, Winter Wonderland
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Merlin
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Black-capped Chickadee, Photo Courtesy Tony Beck
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Black-capped Chickadee
Thursday Dec. 29:
Today was the very last excursion of the year.
We ended the excellent birding year at the west end of Ottawa, looking for raptors and open country birds.
Most birds were hiding from the extreme cold, but nevertheless we had Cedar Waxwing, dozens of American Robins and Black-capped Chickadee, mostly feeding on frozen berries. We also had Snowy Owl and Merlin. At Hilda Road feeder, the 3 male Red-winged Blackbirds were still present.
Day-list:
American Black Duck
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Cedar Waxwing
Common Goldeneye
Downy Woodpecker
European Starling
House Finch
House Sparrow
Merlin
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Rock Pigeon
Snowy Owl
White-breasted Nuthatch
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American Robin
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Red-tailed Hawk


According to Tony, 2011 was one of the best years for birding in the Ottawa area.
We had many fantastic birds, and also lots of great photo-opportunities.
Thank you everyone for joining us in 2011. See you all in 2012!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Last of Fall Birding...


Male Red Crossbill
 Male Red Crossbill
 Male Red Crossbill
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Winter morning at Petrie Beach
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Giroux Ponds
Tuesday Nov. 22:
The morning at Petrie Island, was sunny, calm and cool. Shallow waters around the area were frozen. It was totally quiet with only a few birds.
Nevertheless, this day became a memorable one for me.
At Milton Road we had 25 Sandhill Cranes. In the area of Casselman dump we had 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls among hundreds of Herring Gulls, with a 150 Snow Geese flying overhead.
Red-tailed Hawks were a common sight throughout the day!
Several raptors were around including Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, plus many Rough-legged Hawks, both light & dark morphs included. At St. Isidor we had our first of 2 Snowy Owls for the day! It was a spectacular sight! And at the Giroux ponds we had around 8000 Canada Geese, which just continued to come in when we were leaving. And finally at Frank Kenny Road, Tony spotted the second female Snowy Owl far into a field. And that one made # 241 on my Ottawa list! What a day!
  1. American Black Duck
  2. American Crow
  3. American Goldfinch
  4. Bald Eagle
  5. Black-capped Chickadee
  6. Blue Jay
  7. Cackling Goose
  8. Canada Goose       
  9. Common Merganser
  10. Coopers Hawk
  11. European Starling
  12. Great Black-backed Gull
  13. Great Blue Heron
  14. Green-winged Teal
  15. Herring Gull
  16. Hooded Merganser
  17. House Finch
  18. Iceland Gull
  19. Mallard
  20. Northern Harrier
  21. Red-breasted Merganser
  22. Red-tailed Hawk
  23. Ring-billed Gull
  24. Rock Pigeon
  25. Rough-legged Hawk
  26. Sandhill Crane
  27. Snow Bunting
  28. Snow Goose
  29. Snowy Owl
  30. White-breasted Nuthatch
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Jack Pine Trail
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Feeding my Chickadee
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White Tailed Deer
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Red-tailed Hawk, Photo courtesy Bill Bowman

Thursday Nov. 24:
We woke up to a snow covered Ottawa. It was damp and mild with a gray overcast sky.
We met at Jack Pine Trail were we hiked our usual loop. Chickadees were abundant but amongst them, at the first boardwalk, a lingering Song Sparrow was seen.
The urge for a Snowy Owl made us hit the road. We first stopped at Burnside Pit where we had Snow Geese and Canada Geese included a hybrid. Surprisingly, we also had Ruddy Ducks and a Great Blue Heron. Behind the dump we spotted many Greater and 3 Lesser Backed Gulls.
Searching around the Richmond area, we had our gorgeous Snowy Owl. The 3rd this week!
Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks were seen everywhere along our route. To our delight, we saw a beautiful adult Peregrine Falcon at Eagleson Road and Hwy. 417.
Checking out Shirley Bay boat launch, we had many species of water fowl. And to our absolute pleasure, the Bald Eagle pair bonding a few weeks ago, was still there, guarding their nest.
Leaving the area we had two Northern Shrikes, an adult and a juvenile.
It was a great day birding!
  1. American Crow
  2. American Goldfinch
  3. American Robin
  4. American Tree Sparrow
  5. Bald Eagle
  6. Black-capped Chickadee
  7. Blue Jay
  8. Brown Creeper
  9. Bufflehead
  10. Cackling Goose
  11. Canada Goose       
  12. Common Goldeneye
  13. Common Loon
  14. Common Merganser
  15. Common Raven
  16. Dark-eyed Junco
  17. Downy Woodpecker
  18. European Starling
  19. Great Black-backed Gull
  20. Great Blue Heron
  21. Hairy Woodpecker
  22. Herring Gull
  23. Hooded Merganser
  24. Lesser Black-backed Gull
  25. Lesser Scaup
  26. Mallard
  27. Mourning Dove
  28. Northern Shrike
  29. Peregrine Falcon
  30. Red-breasted Nuthatch
  31. Red-tailed Hawk
  32. Red-winged Blackbird
  33. Ring-billed Gull
  34. Ring-necked Duck
  35. Rock Pigeon
  36. Rough-legged Hawk
  37. Ruddy Duck
  38. Snow Bunting
  39. Snow Goose
  40. Snowy Owl
  41. Song Sparrow
  42. White-breasted Nuthatch

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Plaque at the Visitor Centre.
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Algonquin Park
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Gray Jay
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Content participants
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Black-backed Woodpecker
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Photographing the Black-backed Woodpecker
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Scenery, Photo courtesy Paul Levesque
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Pine Marten, Photo courtesy Mary Sarumi
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Red Crossbills, Photo courtesy Jaliya Rasaputra
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Gray Jay, Photo courtesy Roger Cobbledick
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Photographing Spruce Grouse in a tree
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Spruce Grouse
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Spruce Grouse, Photo courtesy Paul Levesque
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Scenery at Algonquin Park
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Ruffed Grouse, Photo courtesy Roger Cobbledick
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Roger photographing the Ruffed Grouse
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Dream Catcher Motel
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Sunday morning leaving
Sat/Sun. Nov. 26-27 – Algonquin weekend excursion:
We had an excellent weekend birding the Hwy. 60 corridor of Algonquin Park.
Saturday’s highlights were the following:
3 male Spruce Grouse -  1 along Arowhon Road, and two along the Railway Bed, east of Arowhon.
1 male Black-backed Woodpecker along the Railway Bed, east of Arowhon.
3 Boreal Chickadees in a flock of several Black-capped Chickadees near the chain over the Railway Bed, east of Arowhon. 1 Northern Shrike in the swamp at Wolf Howl Pond. 12 Red Crossbills along Hwy 60, at KM 41. We witnessed a very interesting behavior as the Crossbills are attracted to decaying wood that might be a source of ash and calcium. They seek minerals from various sources that probably assist in the digestion of conifer seeds (see picture series under).
And, 5 Gray Jays were highly visible along the Railway Bed, east of Arowhon, plus 2 more along Opeongo Lake Road and 1 at the East Gate.
Several finches kept flying high overhead throughout the day. Most were Common Redpoll, including a flock of about 40. Others include several individual White-winged Crossbills, and two Pine Siskin.
A Pine Martin at the Visitor's Centre Bird Feeder was a bonus. 
Highlights on Sunday included:
2 Ruffed Grouse, one at the Visitor's Centre Bird Feeder and another along Opeongo Lake Road.
1 Boreal Chickadee along the Spruce Bog Boardwalk. 1 Northern Shrike along Opeongo Lake Road.
Gray Jays were encountered along the Spruce Bog Boardwalk and the Logging Museum Trail.
6 River Otter in the pond of the Logging Museum Trail was another bonus.
Total weekend list of 31 species:
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Kestrel
Black-backed Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Boreal Chickadee
Canada Goose       
Common Loon
Common Merganser
Common Raven
Common Redpoll
Dark-eyed Junco
Downy Woodpecker
European Starling
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Gray Jay
Hairy Woodpecker
Hooded Merganser
House Sparrow
Northern Shrike
Pileated Woodpecker
Pine Siskin
Red Crossbill
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Ruffed Grouse
Sprouse Grouse
White-winged Crossbill

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Red Crossbills
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Red Crossbills
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Red Crossbills
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Red Crossbills
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Red Crossbill, Photo courtesy Tony Beck

The last week’s birding has given us great treasures like Cedar & Bohemian Waxwings, Bald & Golden Eagle, Ruddy Duck, over 60.000 Snow Geese, American Kestrel, 46 Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Heron, Peregrine Falcon, Common Redpoll, Northern Harrier and my latest life bird: Canvasback, to mention a few. A list for each day is posted under.


STAY TUNED FOR THE WINTER PROGRAM!!


60.000 Snow Geese in Ontario, Dec. 4th 2011 - filmed with a P300 by me
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Snow Geese, Photo courtesy Tony Beck
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Field of Snow Geese, Photo courtesy Josh McCullough
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Photo courtesy Josh McCullough
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Photo courtesy Helena G. 
Tuesday Nov. 29:
American Black Duck
American Crow
American Goldfinch
Bald Eagle
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose       
Common Merganser
European Starling
Great Blue Heron
Hairy Woodpecker
Herring Gull
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Rough-legged Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Wild Turkey

Thursday Dec. 1:
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
American Kestrel
Bald Eagle
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Bohemian Waxwing
Canada Goose       
Cedar Waxwing
Common Raven
Common Redpoll
Downy Woodpecker
European Starling
Golden Eagle
Hairy Woodpecker
Hooded Merganser
House Sparrow
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Shrike
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Rough-legged Hawk
Snow Bunting
Wild Turkey

Saturday Dec. 3:
American Black Duck
American Crow
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
Bald Eagle
Black Scoter
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Bufflehead
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose       
Common Goldeneye
Common Loon
Common Merganser
Common Raven
Downy Woodpecker
European Starling
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Herring Gull
Hooded Merganser
House Finch
House Sparrow
Lesser Scaup
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Northern Shrike
Peregrine Falcon
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-necked Duck
Rock Pigeon
Rough-legged Hawk
Ruddy Duck
Snow Bunting
Snow Goose
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-winged Scoter

Sunday Dec. 4th:
American Black Duck
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue Jay
Bufflehead
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose       
Canvasback
Common Goldeneye
Common Loon
Common Merganser
Common Raven
European Starling
Gadwall
Gloucous Gull
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Green-winged Teal
Hairy Woodpecker
Herring Gull
Hooded Merganser
Horned Lark
Iceland Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Lesser Scaup
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Northern Harrier
Northern Shrike
Purple Finch
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Rough-legged Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Snow Bunting
Snow Goose
White-breasted Nuthatch
Wild Turkey
Wood Duck

All Excursions organized by ~ Always An Adventure