Wildlife at Home, the Wetlands and Lakeside Park

I rode my bike to Lakeside Park this morning. It was a cold start to the day with a heavy frost on the low lying grass. There was not a great deal of activity. The sun was low in the sky, providing beautiful contrast to everything it touched, but where were the birds? I could hear the squirrels complaining and this chipmunk was keeping well out of sight as it had a little nibble: I walked further up the lake, near the top edge where I noticed the reason for the bird's inactivity. Sitting on its favourite perch was the merlin: It surveyed the world around it: Basking in the sun as it did so: And also keeping one eye on me: I was happy for the photo opportunity but the merlin soon took to flight in search of its next meal. In the merlin's absence, the birds now started to appear. Finches, song sparrows, white-throated sparrows, a ruby-crowned kinglet: And a cardinal which was silhouetted with the sun behind it: A number of ring-billed gulls st...

This morning started with a beautiful golden sunrise that lit up the tops of the trees and slowly descended to the lake. It unfortunately did not last and was soon eclipsed by a grey sky. Undaunted by the poor light, I set out with an agenda; to photograph some of the migrating warblers that are still passing through Lakeside Park. I set off, up the side of the lake, following some yellow coloured warblers which were flitting through the undergrowth. I took any opportunity I could to photograph what I saw on the way: There were lots of hickory tussock moth caterpillars, fattening up on the remaining leaves: A catbird sat out in the open for a few moments as I passed through a clearing: And at the top edge of the lake, I again saw the merlin on its usual vantage point, watching for any unwary birds: It was a failed effort on my part. As soon as I saw a warbler and raised my lens, it was gone. I decided to make my way back to the parking area and the fir trees besid...

I was headed to the top edge of Lakeside Park this morning. I had noticed a small predator flying from the treetops as I looked over the lake while standing at the main seated area: Whatever the predator was, it was small and very fast. I observed it chasing the smaller resident birds, matching their movements with unerring accuracy. The bird of prey was unable to catch anything this time and after flying restlessly from one perch to the next, it eventually settled in the branches of a dead tree in the top corner of the lake. Of course, it would be in a really boggy area. I snapped a few photos, edging my way closer until I had to give up any thought of keeping my boots dry, and ventured into the reeds. Through the blurred leaves of a willow tree, I was able to capture a photo of this beautiful little merlin: The merlin attracted the attention of a blue jay who also seemed well aware of my presence: The blue jay soon flew off, as did the merlin on another hunting fo...

So many photographers at Lakeside Park this morning, and I'm sure it is the warblers migration that is attracting everyone. It's good to see people at the lake who have a real enthusiasm for nature, but for me, it was just a little too much company and I felt the need for some solitude. I headed to the far edge of the lake, walking carefully through the branch-laden undergrowth and out into the open, where I was met by this stunning great blue heron who had also put some distance between itself and the photographers who were at the base of the lake: I took a few photos as I approached the heron, walking with slow deliberate steps, making my intention clear that I was simply passing through. The heron is perhaps also becoming used to me as it never moved at all as I walked directly underneath its perch and further along the edge of the lake. I have posted photos of the larger birds of prey at Lakeside Park, while the smaller raptors have been eluding me. That is, unti...