I don’t think that I usually set out to photograph animals. Most often they are the welcome surprise on a nature hike or an unexpected sighting somewhere off in a field along a country road. The one thing these opportunities share in common is that they are always wonderful, intriguing and inspiring. A welcome sight indeed. :)
Catch of the Day
A herring gull (Larus smithsonianus) feeding along the shores of Georgian Bay near Owen Sound
Belted Kingfisher
The belted kingfisher is the only member of the cerylid family commonly found in the northern United States and Canada. This beauty was seen flying along the Georgian Bay coast line at Hibou Conservation Area.
Snowy Owl
With a wing span of up to five feet (or more), these are the largest North American owls and among the largest owls in the world. This handsome owl was spotted and photographed on the north east side of Owen Sound.
Red-tailed Hawk
This bird of prey breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies. This beautiful pair was spotted off Bruce Rd 1 south of Paisley (Ontario)
Juvenile Bald Eagle
Soaring above the Lake Huron shoreline at Baie Du Doré. This juvenal bald eagle shows the typical first year plumage which is often characterized by a dark brown head and body with white markings on the underside of the wings.
Bald Eagles
A convocation of six bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the shoreline of Lake Huron at Baie Du Doré. This was part of a much larger group of these magnificent raptors observed on this cold February morning.
Adult Bald Eagle
Gliding towards the the Lake Huron shore at Baie Du Doré.
Monarch on Field Thistle
The purple field thistle produces a large quantity of nectar making it very attractive to the Monarch butterfly.
Great Blue
Great Blue Heron just across the banks of the Sydenham River along the Bruce Trail between the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Arboretum and Inglis Falls near Owen Sound, Ontario
Swan Lake
Mute swan bathing in the sunshine in rural Southern Ontario
Whitetail Deer
The whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), also known as the white-tail or Virginia deer, is a medium-sized deer native to North America
Hibou Geese
A pair of Canada Geese flying over the Georgian Bay shoreline at Hibou Conservation Area near Owen Sound, Ontario
Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly
What is the difference between a drangonfly and a damselfly? Dragonflies have hind wings that broaden at the base, which makes them larger than the front set of wings. Dragonflies hold their wings out perpendicular to their bodies when resting, like an airplane. Damselflies fold their wings up and hold them together across the top of their backs.
Little Island
A Great Blue Heron flies past Little Island on Oxtongue Lake (near Algonquin Park). Most know for the 1965 painting by Group of Seven artist, A.J. Cason
Canada Goose
Preparing for autumn migration, large gaggles of Canada geese gather at key staging and stopover areas. These groups typically include loose aggregations of family groups and individuals. This goose was part of a group of about 75 very active birds gathered at Hibou Conservation Area on the shore of Georgian Bay
Canada Geese
A group (gaggle) of Canada Geese glide in for a landing in Georgian Bay at Hibou Conservation Area
Mourning Dove
The mourning dove is a member of the dove family, Columbidae, and is also known as the American mourning dove or the rain dove. The Mourning Dove is said to be symbolic of optimism, spirituality and sorrow.
Moose
Young moose in Algonquin Provincial Park
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron on Costello Creek in Algonquin Park
Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill Cranes forage for grains and invertebrates in the grasses along the Bruce Peninsula
Otter
North American River Otter
On the Rocks
I'm not sure of the breed, but this excellent swimmer seemed to have a blast playing out in the waters of Georgian Bay at Hibou Conservation Area
Cormorant
Double Crested Cormorant sunbathing just outside Owen Sound on Georgian Bay
Golden
Watching this Golden Retreiver play in the water at Hibou beach
Good Buddies
Watching this Golden Retriever and Black Lab play in the water at Hibou beach
Merganser
Common merganser (or goosander) getting ready to fish on Georgian Bay at Hibou Conservation Area
Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull fishing along the Lake Huron shoreline
Ring-billed Gull
Along the Lake Huron shoreline
Garter Snake
Garter snake is a common name for the generally harmless, small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis. This image was captured at Bognor Marsh, Ontario
Red-winged Blackbird
Juvenile red winged blackbird at Bognor Marsh
Painted Turtle
The painted turtle is the most widespread native turtle of North America. This one was captured at Bognor Marsh.
Young Moose
Spring brings caution and excitement at the sighting of a young moose
Tree Swallow
The tree swallow is a migratory passerine bird that breeds in North America and winters in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. This swallow was captured at Bognor Marsh
Starling
A sign of spring... the starlings have returned to Southern Ontario
Chinook Salmon
Heading up the Sydenham River at the Mill Dam in Owen Sound, Ontario
Robin's Nest
We enjoyed the privilege of watching the robin's nest from shortly after the chicks hatched until they fledged almost two weeks later.
Monarch on Goldenrod
Monarch butterfly feeding on goldenrod nectar. Goldenrod is a vital fall-blooming plant that supplies much needed nectar in preparation for the butterflies’ long migrations to their winter grounds in Mexico