The birds of fall 2020 showed off their full colours for me as they haven’t before. There was also a new bird to me, the Eurasian Collared Dove. I was told it was a Mourning Collared Dove but from what I have been able to find, they haven’t made it to Canada. Either way, it’s a bird I haven’t seen before. It was hidden in a patch of trees well off the path. How the person who spotted it did so, is beyond me!
The Western Grebe was sharing the river with multiple varieties of ducks and other water fowl, close enough to the shore to show off its markings and red eye. The Blue Winged Teal also put on a show of colours. I often find it hard to know whether I am looking at a Green or Blue Winged Teal because both have green feathers but in this photo you can clearly see the blue as well.
The full colours of the male Wood Duck are always beautiful to capture. Hooded Mergansers are also fun birds to photograph because of their colours and the way they can make their heads seem to inflate like a balloon. This one put on a fine show as it took off from the water.
The Great Blue Heron that can be so difficult to spot when the trees are in full leaf showed up nicely against the yellow colours of the fall.
Of course, the white Trumpeter Swans always make and elegant showing.
Finally this Sharp-shinned Hawk was an unusual opportunity, flying low enough for me to get a clear image.
