Bird Island,Cape Breton

 Finally,got out for a day of photos,been so busy with this seasons lobster season.So headed out to the Islands off of Cabot Straits.On Saturday,of course,we had a wind fall warning with 3-5 meter seas.But fortunately the 35 foot boat was amazingly good and comfortable.
 After the 40 minute steam out to the island we first encountered a few Black Guillemot with their bright red feet.
After we spotted on the cliff a few razorbills and puffins and large colony of Herring Gulls mixed with the odd Cormorants.

Large group of Herring Gulls

Nesting Razorbills

Lone Puffin checking Us out

Group of Puffins siting outside the nesting holes

Male Puffin fixing their nest with grass

  While on the cruise seen many Razorbills and Black Guillemot flying around the boat,with their bright red feet shining in the sun which caught my eye over the Puffins bright beaks.

Razorbill sunning with Black Guillemot

Flock of Razorbills

Black Guillemot in flight with their red feet

Black Guillemot

  After crossing from one island to the next island came across a few dozen Grey Seals feeding along the lobster traps and chasing the caplin.Once we got to the next island we came to a flock of Puffins flying around the lobster boat.

Puffins in-flight

Puffin resting on the water

  Well all in all considering the weather,was a great day out on the Islands.In  a few more weeks the little Razorbills and Puffins should be out so I'll try it again,till then happy photography. 

Song birds part 1

Well,just back home for the fishing season,loading my photos from the past 6 weeks and remembering the number of different birds I came across.In the back of the house at the feeders I had a Hairy woodpecker and a Downy woodpecker eating on the bell feeders,also have Blackeyejunko,Doves,Blue jay,Chickadee,Robins,House Sparrows,Red poll and goldfinches checking on the feeders.
Down the road by the swamp seen a few Common Grackle,Redwinged Blackbirds and a flock of Snow Bunting on the shore.
here's a few of the photos from the backyard:

Redpoll

Redwinged Blackbird

Robin with worm

Snow bunting

Downy woodpecker

Hairy woodpecker

song birds part 2

blackeyed junko

bluejay

chichadee

mourning dove

goldfinch

House Sparrow

New fields and new hunting grounds

 Drove up to FrenchVale on the last Saturday of March to check on the deers in the fields ,when came across a fox hunting the fields.Parked the truck and pursued him for about 3 miles or so through 6 farm fields in the light snow flurries while he hunted for mice not caring I was stalking him.He was very successful in his hunts as I was in my photo opportunities.

successful catch

strolling around

pounching on breakfast

  The following Saturday I woke to a heavy frost and decided to drive up to see if I could find my hawk or foxes.To my delight I came across him in the same field as the week before so I headed up the field and watch for about 1/2 hour as he seached the field for food.

 All the photos are full framed un cropped as I do have access to my own computer to do any editing.The Nikon d90 and 150-500 lens seems to be working find,but wish would of taken my 70-200 with me as the fox hung under 20 feet most of the time.Hopfully next weekend I'll get another chance.

searching under the frost

Young Pup

 Quite busy at work,so outing have been scarce lately.On Saturday headed out in search of Eagles and Waterfowl .While moving from one spot to another came across a young grey pup seal still in it's white coat,left behind after the ice moved out from the shore.

 So I gathered my camera and crawled towards her not to frighten her,spent about 20 minutes with her before moving on to let the pup rest.

Took few photos of her I'll post later as the new computer is having problems posting images???

young grey seal pup

Birding in a river bed

 Well, while looking for a sparrow hawk I saw fly by, I came across a small ravine with mostly old trees and a few maples. While in the ravine I saw my first bohemian waxwing up close. After getting a few shots, I went over to see what she was eating.
 I leaned on an old tree and then heard a noise. I looked up to see a hairy woodpecker looking down on me.
 The next morning I went back to check for them again. Luckily, I saw the woodpecker knocking away. Never saw the waxwing again, hopefully my hawk never saw her either.

Who's out there?

hairy woodpecker

bohemian waxwing

Juvenile day out

 Decided to stay an extra day in Sydney before heading back home, lucky for me. We got together to feed the eagles and started out strong. A few older eagles came in, then the juvenile showed up, (4 young ones and 1 almost completely colored). The juveniles were a little hesitant at first but in no time started to come in for the fish.

 Unfortunately, the other photographer, Larry Kelly, hadn't come out that morning. I know we have been waiting a few days for the juveniles to come in to get some good shots. His name came up quite a few times while we were feeding and Wayne Gouthro would joke as the young ones passed by. But I know that Larry will be back there and get a ton of shots before I get back again.
 Here are a few shots from Saturday:

young juvenile making a pass

two young juveniles fighting over a meal

almost fully colored dropping in