Welcome to 2015

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) - Sunnidale Township, Ontario - 2015 January 06

On a recent trip through Simcoe County, I was once again on the lookout for Snowy Owls. I saw four different owls but only one was close enough for a photograph, unfortunately on a utility line again. This owl shows quite a bit of dark colouring so is either a juvenile or a female. The male of the species becomes almost pure white after a few feather molts.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2015 January 22

While on a hike through the woodlot on my parents farm, I heard the unmistakable sound of a Nuthatch. This is one of two Nuthatches that were climbing up and down searching for food in the bark of a maple. This photograph shows the long sharp bill. Looking close one can see a faint redish colouring on the lower belly below the tail that is seen to varying degrees on some birds of this species.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) - Fielding Memorial Park, Sudbury, Ontario - 2015 January 28

Finally a nice blue sky winter day led me to a hike at Fielding Park where the waters of Junction Creek remain open all winter long. This was one of seven Trumpeter Swans found on and near Junction Creek.

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) - Fielding Memorial Park, Sudbury, Ontario - 2015 January 28

This next photograph shows two other swans curled up and resting on nearby ice.

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) - Fielding Memorial Park, Sudbury, Ontario - 2015 January 28

Along the trails winding through the park some local bird watchers put out stashes of food. These feeders bring out many birds including this Black-capped Chickadee.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) - Fielding Memorial Park, Sudbury, Ontario - 2015 January 28

At another feeding station three Pine Grosbeaks were enjoying the pickings. These birds all showed yellowish olive on the head and rump, so they were either female or young birds. The male is instead a beautiful pink, but missing on this day. Here one of the Pine Grosbeaks posed on a snow covered rock.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) - Fielding Memorial Park, Sudbury, Ontario - 2015 January 28

One of the other birds sat for a while in the branches of a young birch tree.