Midsummer birds

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) - Garson, Ontario - 2015 July 16

We have come to mid summer. Birds are still busy feeding young, however they tend to be quieter at this time of year as the young birds learn to feed themselves. Near home in Garson I saw some movement in the undergrowth and found this Ovenbird perched in the sunlight.

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) - Breslau, Ontario - 2015 July 18

A few days later I was back at work at the Kitchener-Waterloo Airport. A large group of juvenile swallows were perched on a security fence. Some were resting after a feeding flight while others were being fed by helpful parents. This photograph shows a young Bank Swallow, identified by its neck band.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) - Breslau, Ontario - 2015 July 18

The majority of the swallows that morning were young Barn Swallows, identified by their tawny breast and dark back.

Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) - Pilkington Township, Ontario - 2015 July 19

The next morning while relaxing in my parents backyard, a different bird sound caught my attention. I knew that I had never heard it before so the search began. The bird flew from tree to tree and I soon realised it was some type of sparrow. Finally it perched for me in the top of a pear tree, where with some reference to a field guide I identified it as a Clay-colored Sparrow.

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) - Marden, Ontario - 2015 July 20

On a morning hike along a favorite trail I found this Black-capped Chickadee willing to sit still for me.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 26

The next week was busy and on my few attempts at birdwatching all was quiet. Relaxing at our cottage, I was regularly interupted by the hum of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding at our flowers. Finally I managed to capture one on camera, a white throated female.

Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 28

A few days later on a hike along a forest trail I heard this warbler in a spruce tree. Bright yellow below with a black necklace and black streaks on its belly are the sure signs of a male Magnolia Warbler.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 28

Not far away another warbler caught my attention. This was a Black-throated Blue Warbler, identified by the white eyebrow over a charcoal grey face and a white patch at midwing when perched.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 28

My walk took me through a grove of Pin Cherry trees. Here a White-throated Sparrow is enjoying a ripe cherry snack.

Black-and-White Warbler (Mniotilta varia) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 4

For the next few days birds were few and nearly a week went by before I had one pose for me. Here is an easily identified Black-and-white Warbler.

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 4

Nearby another bird posed, a female American Redstart.

Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 4

And in the same group of birds was this juvenile Magnolia Warbler just starting to develop the streaked breast of the adult.

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 4

A Black-capped Chickadee held tight in this vertical stance, while it watched me and my camera.

Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 4

Nearby a juvenile Blackburnian Warbler searched the shrubbery for a meal. As an adult this bird will have a bright orange throat framed in black.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 4

Later that afternoon a mixed group of birds were feeding in the trees surrounding our cottage. Here a Red-breasted Nuthatch was searching for prey in the bark a small Red Pine.

Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 5

On another forest hike the next morning this Blue-headed Vireo, identified by the white spectacles and slate grey head, was feeding in some Pin Cherry trees.

Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 7

Another species of Vireo posed a few days later with a large green caterpillar. This Red-eyed Vireo spent some time battering the caterpillar against his perch in an attempt to stop it squirming before swallowing it whole.

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 7

The unmistakeable call of a Pileated Woodpecker led me to this one quick photograph of the crow sized woodpecker on a distant dead poplar tree. As soon as he spotted me he departed deeper into the forest.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 7

Later my walk took me through an area of wild Raspberry canes. Here a White-throated Sparrow is sampling the fruit.

Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 7

On another Raspberry cane this Common Yellowthroat seemed to be more concerned with something flying overhead.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 8

The next afternoon brought a mixed group of birds back to our cottage. Again a Red-breasted Nuthatch favored the bark the Red Pine.

Black-and-White Warbler (Mniotilta varia) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 12

It was a few days before I had another sunny morning suitable for photography. On a walk I found some local forest birds also enjoying the bright morning. Here the sun spotlighted a Black-and-white Warbler.

Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 12

Another sunny branch was the perfect perch for this Red-eyed Vireo.

Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 12

And in this photograph a young Magnolia Warbler was sitting in the shade while the sun was shining on branches in the background.