Totally captivated in 2007 by the live camera feed of the Hornby Island nesting Bald Eagles in B.C., I was drawn into birding and have never looked back. Thus begins my account of what I'm fortunate enough to discover each day and perhaps capture with my camera.



Unless otherwise stated, all images were taken by and are the property of Janice Melendez

Species Counts:

2014 Final Year List: 255; 2015 Year List a/o June 5, 2015: 235; Life List: 327

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Hit-and-Run before Today's Heat- July 6, 2010


After dropping Mia off at the doggy spa at 7 a.m., I arrived at the east end of the Whitby Waterfront Trail in good time to see what I could find before melting away in today's forecasted humidex temps of 43º. The lighting was spectacular:





A pair of oft-maligned Brown-headed Cowbirds entertained me with their, or rather his antics and whistling:














Adult Yellow Warblers were plentiful...




...while younger ones cavorted in the shrubs, see the one hiding at the bottom:











A young Gray Catbird gave me excellent views of its rufous undertail coverts as it preened away:










American Goldfinches basked in the morning sun as I made a hasty retreat to my air-conditioned car:






There was still some time left before melting away to return to yesterday's marsh in north Pickering, where I found the usual suspects, including a Spotted Sandpiper, Cedar Waxwings (again)...





...the elegant female Wood Duck with one of her brood:





...a Kildeer, whose in-flight colours continue to enthrall me, these are not the best shots but I just couldn't resist:










New to the roster, though, was a female Belted Kingfisher perched above the water, contemplating her breakfast strategy:





It was now time to head off to my next indoor appointment, but I was extremely pleased with my count for a mere 90 minutes of birding!


2 comments:

Alex said...

Love the little yellow guys! Great pictures as ever. But I don't envy you your 43º!

Unknown said...

Little yellow guys used to be smiley faces in IMs. Wow. Times change. No more of that. Sorry this isn't bird related, just a random thought. But they ARE very cute.