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<\/a>Cedar Waxwing<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>American Robin<\/p><\/div>\n
On Chrismas Day, in the waning light-of-day, I encountered a group of robins numbering 6 or 8 in the same location. This warm light is a photographer\u2019s delight, and I hurried the dog along (as fast as a 15 year old canine can go) so that I could return with my camera. By the time I returned the light was low, and the robins reclusive, so the shots I took were less than National Geographic quality. I did spend 20 minutes or so watching them meticulously select, pluck and gobble down their pre-slumber fill of juniper berries. Another couple out for a walk approached from behind, and seeing me with camera and tripod gazing into the greenery at nothing, helpfully volunteered in a whisper \u2013 \u201cwe just saw a robin!\u201d<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re reading this, you\u2019ve likely already read Sean\u2019s account of the 2010 Christmas Bird Count<\/a> for Kitchener and his encounter with a couple of great horned owls. Last Wednesday, at dusk, as we were en route to visit with friends in Haliburton, my wife and daughter simultaneously caught the flash of a barred owl<\/a> as it took flight from one side of the road to the other. We made a U-turn (as birders are known to do), and pulled over for a better look. The light was low as we selected \u201cbarred owl\u201d from the playlist on our iPod and broadcast it from the open car window. It was alert to the sound, swiveling it\u2019s head to look back at us in the amazing manner that owls do. We had but a few moments to marvel at this most mysterious of birds before it once again took flight, winging it\u2019s way with deep, silent strokes, across the winter landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" December 21st was the first day of winter, not spring. Yet on Christmas Eve I saw a robin in my neighbourhood, and on Christmas Day another 6 or 8!! My daughter and I were out walking our nearly 15 year-old Brittany, a bird dog, on Christmas Eve when we heard the soft whistle of a […]<\/p>\n