A Very Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat Warbler (female)
By: Pat Coate
During my visit to Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in Midland, Ontario I ran into a very cooperative female common yellowthroat warbler. I had seen lots of common yellowthroats – mostly males – at Tom’s bird banding stations but had not really had more than a quick look at this bird in the ‘wild’. So it was nice to have an extended look.
Long Time No Blog
Me with Franklin
I keep hearing from everyone “ PLEASE BLOG” . . . . “TOM you have not updated in forever”!! Ok . . . I love you guys also! Here is the skinny . . . I do plan to do Owls this Fall but it will not be in the park this year!! Yes . . . Patty and I purchased a new home!!! Just closed yesterday!!! Perfect for Owl Banding!!!
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Puff the Magic Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing Pre-puff
By: Pat Coate
I love telecommuting and very happily spent the last two weeks on a working vacation up in the Muskoka Lakes region of Ontario. I spent a cool, rainy Labor Day visiting Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in Midland. I had seen a tree full (~30) of cedar waxwings by Black Ash Pond early in the day but the lighting was tough for a decent picture. I checked back in the same area later in the day. This lone, inquisitive cedar waxwing landed fairly close so I decided to try a few shots despite continued tough lighting conditions. To my amusement, it “blew up” right in front of me. The pictures aren’t the greatest but it was a fun experience to see this sleek, attractive bird puff itself out in such dramatic fashion. Not sure if it was trying to warm itself or if it was a reaction to my presence but it didn’t stay puffed very long.
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Beggars
Common Grackles (2010)
By: Pat Coate
From time to time we will see parents and fledglings coming to the feeder. It is always fun to watch their interactions and see the maternal/paternal instincts in action. The young ones are quite demanding and seem to unmercifully beg for food from the parent. In these two cases, the parents were accomodating.
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Birds of Prey
Broad-winged Hawk
By: Pat Coate
Last Sunday the Canyon Camera Club sponsored its 8th Annual Photographer’s Dream Day at the Mount Morris Dam & Visitor Center. There were tours of and views from the dam and a couple of great seminars on photography in Letchworth State Park presented by Gary & Phyllis Thompson of Image City Photography (Rochester). There were many different subjects to photograph, including antique autos and bikes, and people in costume – a bagpiper, Seneca Indian, Mary Jamison, pioneers.
My favorite subjects to photograph, however, were provided by Ron Walker of Friends with Feathers. Friends with Feathers is an organization whose stated mission is to educate the public about birds of prey. Mr. Walker had on hand a broad-winged hawk, barn owl and barred owl that for various reasons cannot be released. It was fun to see these birds up close and learn more about them. Tidbits of information from the Friends with Feathers website are shown below in quotes.
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 