Birds

I've been taking photos faster than I've been processing and sharing them. Here are some of the bird photos I've taken lately.

I was missing my morning walks to work, so a few mornings I headed out early to see what I could see. I was happy to see a number of Downy Woodpeckers - Canada's smallest woodpecker. They come to our bird feeder occasionally (for the peanuts) but I prefer photographing them in a more natural setting. Several of them were busy excavating nest holes. When they are deliberately hammering to attract mates they can be very noisy, but when they're actually digging a nest hole they make very little noise.



It must be a lot of work to dig a hole big enough for a nest. This hole was at eye level - you'd think they'd put it higher out of reach.



Most of the gulls I've been seeing appear to be Ring-billed Gulls.



I don't usually see them diving for fish like this:



This photo could be sharper but I was glad to get this shot so I could identify it. This was a new one for me - a Blue-winged Teal (not that you can see the blue wings in this photo)



Also not a great shot, but it was interesting to see the Red-breasted Nuthatch feeding its mate. He knows how to win her heart :-)



This looked and sounded a bit like a Meadowlark at first, but I think it's a Song Sparrow, singing vigorously. (I think the bush is Red Osier Dogwood)



Occasionally the Canada Geese will nest under the bridges. It's a safe spot, but it must be frightening when it's time for the goslings to leave the nest.



I had to go pick up a package at the office, which was a good excuse to spend some time around the pond at Innovation Place. No fishing spiders yet, but there were a pair of Mallards hanging out.



I noticed a robin digging in the mud beside the pond. At first I assumed it was searching for food, but instead it collected a big beak-full of mud and flew away with it, presumably for building a nest. I thought it might come back for another load so I got my camera ready and waited. Sure enough, it was back for more and I managed to catch a shot.



There are lots of robins around and occasionally they'll cooperate to have their picture taken.



Another common one, this House Sparrow was hiding out in the grape vines, looking a little wind blown.



I don't see Dark-eyed Junco's as often. They don't visit our bird feeder much for some reason. They always look cute with their pink beaks.



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