When we get a warm, partially sunny day in October, I try to take advantage of it–all too soon the days will be getting shorter, darker and often wetter. Today I had a great hour ambling along the paths at the Rattray Marsh in Mississauga.
This Ruby-crowned Kinglet seemed oblivious of the sharp spines on the stem. It zipped quickly from leaf to leaf and hovered at the tops of the goldenrod plumes, hunting insects.
A small group of Black-capped Chickadees was also gathering food. This one was investigating a small opening at the dead end of a branch.
The Christmas Card Photo Op Fails Again
Every year, I see a nice bird, butterfly or animal in a setting that shouts “Christmas Card.” And every year I totally fail to get the photo.
This Northern Cardinal showed me his opinion of my work. Although he was perched to eat Multiflora Rose hips, he refused to turn around and face the camera.
Maybe next year….
Wait that Red-winged Blackbird is Rusting
When I reached Sheridan Creek, I heard a Red-winged Blackbird calling its spring “chirk-a-ree.” A small flock of blackbirds then flew in and landed a good distance back from the boardwalk.
I took a quick photo in case they left just as abruptly, then settled in against the railing to wait and see if they would come closer. Can you spot the blackbird?
A black squirrel flushed them briefly up into the trees. Once there, they took advantage of some of the Riverbank Grapes and had a snack. Then five of them flew overhead into the marsh. A few minutes later, they came back. This group has been reported a few times on eBird so it seems to have settled in for a stay.
A Flicker of Movement on the Tree Trunk
Every bush, tree and patch of mud seemed to have a bird or insect on or around it. I watched one bird moving up a trunk, expecting to see another Downy or Hairy Woodpecker, but instead found a Northern Flicker.
Monarchs Sail South
Monarch butterflies had a good year in southern Ontario and they are still moving south. I watched three sail over the board walk in five minutes. Will these ones make it all the way to Mexico? I don’t know but they seemed content to try.
Their orange colouring is particularly pleasing against an autumn blue sky.
Sneaky Sparrows
There were Song Sparrows near the downstream bridge. This sparrow, though, caught my eye. It took me a few minutes to realize it was a White-throated Sparrow. They seem to hunt in every possible environment. Maybe that’s why I always see big flocks of them in the fall.
An Eastern Phoebe and an Unexpected Fall Swimmer in Sheridan Creek
While hanging around the downstream bridge chatting to some other nature enthusiasts, I watched this Phoebe busily hunting. It didn’t go after the Green Darner dragonfly that was also in the area but seemed content to catch smaller midges.
Because I was watching the Phoebe, I noticed a small ripple moving across the creek.
(Mom, this is where you should stop reading.)
I watched in surprise as a slender snake half-emerged on the grey mud. After a couple of minutes it moved further ashore. It seems a bit late for a DeKays Brown Snake to still be out hunting but this one seemed reasonably healthy. Hopefully it knows of a good safe, snug spot to sleep in, soon.
All in all, it was a delightful hour in the autumn sun. I hope we get a few more days like it in the weeks ahead!
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Have you had a chance to enjoy any nice walks this fall? Please share your sentiments with a comment.
your photos of small birds like the kinglet and warbler are really exceptional. My experience with warblers is that they are tree-top birds and only in exceptional places with low vegetation does a photographer have a chance. Is that how you are getting your photos? what focal length are you using?
The sharp photos are taken when the birds are down and close feeding on insects in the dogwoods and goldenrod etc. The fuzzy ones are the tree top ones. I use a 150-660 zoom and have a macro that I use some of the time for insects. Unlike the true photographers out there, any decent photos I get are more luck than skill!