She is a Blue Tailed Emerald Hummingbird – Chlorostilbon mellisugus – nesting in a palm tree next to the ‘people’ pool we were hanging at while in Curacao. Within her nest are 2 incredibly small eggs, and the nest itself is a mere two inches in height. I’m not as close to the hummingbird as it appears, using a zoom lens so as not to disturb.
We are a few minutes after 8am on Saturday October 26, standing on the Dundas street overpass looking south down 16 Mile Creek. The sun came over the trees about 15 minutes ago, slowly bringing light and life as the birds got going. Mist from the creek rose and a sun haze stretched out across the tree canopy.
Had my initiation into the world of hawks and falcons a few weeks back when visiting Hawk Cliff on the north shores of Lake Erie to watch the migration. This is a Sharp-shinned Hawk, distinct for its three white stripes on the tail, plus stripe bands on the underside of the wings. Was fortunate to grab pictures of Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagles, and an American Kestrel. And the one I missed while fumbling with the camera… a Northern Harrier.
Good for them! It’s Canada Day and this couple went for a paddle and some fishing on one of the lakes, and she brought her phone. Nothing wrong with that (unless you fall in!) as long as you are outdoors and soaking in what mother nature has to offer 🙂
The morning views across the Monashees deliver most every time. Because the peaks hide the sun, the sky will lighten an hour before it rises over the horizon producing a myriad of colors (purple, pinks, reds, and orange all mashed together!) and finally fading to yellow as the sun climbs.
I find this picture both calming and exhilarating at the same time. The stillness of the air and clarity across the snow and between the trees, plus the depth of view makes it easy to look at and pretend you are there in person. And then there is the adrenaline rush from making first tracks through snow as your heart beats, legs ache, and you are screaming with delight in your head!
Yeah, this is an everyday occurrence! At first glance, one is incredibly surprised to see this California Sea Lion on the fishing boat’s stern, with a few guys taking photos… not normal. Then after 5+ minutes, you realize this might actually be a regular thing when the captain comes back with a fish for the mammal. Trained you wonder?
On its way south this past September, this Monarch spent a day hopping between the flowers by the lake. Was very fortunate we could watch its activities while enjoying our early morning coffee and green tea.
Birch trees mixed in with the requisite vibrant fall colors on echo lake this past Thanksgiving weekend. Though never taking the change in colors for granted, it still is fun to see tourists arrive by motorcoach to look at what we Canadians see every year!
Sweeping sunset across Conger Lake while kayak camping early September in the Massasauga Provincial Park with one of our daughters. Two excellent days with sun, mid-teen temperatures, card games, good food, campfire, and these fantastic skies after the sun went down.
