Wildlife at Home, the Wetlands and Lakeside Park

A large eagle-sized bird of prey flew along the treeline this morning. It skirted the tops of the trees before landing in a fir tree at the top of the bank. I gave chase on foot along the path. I wasn't sure at all if these photos would turn out as it was overcast this morning, but they are good enough to show what the large bird was. I have seen turkey vultures rising on the thermals over Lakeside Park, but never landing. Another first for me: Fall colours are gradually transforming the park, the leaves are already falling, but there is still a lot of activity from the insects. I came across this brightly-coloured insect on some goldenrod after walking down the bank from the turkey vulture: A woodlouse standing out in the open: This grasshopper was also standing out with its bright red colouration: Another brightly-coloured insect, a damselfly: I did, as usual, take photos of the hickory tussock moth caterpillars which are everywhere at the moment, but thi...

The coldest morning so far heralded a gorgeously clear blue sky. The sun stays much lower now and that is good and bad. It's almost 7 AM before the sun breaks through the trees, but that low light adds so much contrast to our world. Everyone was wanting to warm up. The first to catch the morning sun was this great blue heron who strategically perched on the top of the willow tree, right at the bottom of Lakeside Park, beside Greenbrook Drive: I could have stayed there all morning, as the heron never moved while I was at Lakeside Park, but there was more to see.  After so many overcast days, this morning was very welcome. A young warbling vireo found a secluded perch to warm up in the sun and occasionally be fed by its parents: I often see cardinals at the lake but seem unable to capture any reasonable photos of them. This was a welcome photo opportunity: I never really moved from the bottom edge of the lake. This song sparrow was preening itself in the bushes in the ...