Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Birds in Algonquin Park

Well I'm sure you all know how it is.  If you're like me and don't get away from home a whole lot, when you do, you take a lot of photos and reminisce over the swell time you had on vacation!  I took a lot of photos in Algonquin Park last week, and today I'm going to show you some of the wild birds that found their way into my viewfinder long enough for me to snap a photo.

We saw this Common Merganser on Rock Lake, taking a break on a rock preening himself.  He needs to work on that crazy hair!

 

On our lake (Canisbay Lake), we took a quiet paddle one afternoon and saw these adorable fluffy loon chicks.  They were drifting alone on the lake with no adult loon in sight.  They looked young enough to still be able to hitch a ride on their mama's back (which they do).  Aren't they the cutest little fuzzy bundles?


They stayed close together, and we didn't dare go too close and frighten them.  I had the zoom on, but at that distance it was hard to keep the longer lens steady while in the canoe.

 
They kept a close eye (or two) on us the entire time.
 

It wasn't long before we heard the call of the adult loon, who bobbed up to the surface close by.


When she saw us there, she made a bee-line to her adorable chicks to reassure them, and herself I'm sure!  We paddled quietly away.
 
 
We saw lots of great blue herons this trip too.  It seemed there was a heron stalking frogs every time we got the canoe in the water. 
 
 
I like to see the herons, and they're a great subject for photography with all those plumes, intense eyes and subtle colouring.  Once you get too close to them, however, they fly up and away and often circle around behind you and land back up the river or lake.  I love watching them slowly and gracefully lift off.  Just look at those pointed toes ... this heron reminds me of a ballerina!
 
 
A lot of times a heron would fly up right beside us before we knew there was one close by.  They camouflage quite well, so I don't know why they take off so early.  Maybe they feel conspicuous.
 
  
I think this heron (above and below) is a young bird.  He didn't fly, and he's not showing any of the long plumes.
 
 
The best part of all of this, is that heron's have a magnificent wing span, and their feathers and plumes look just amazing from the back when ruffled up!
 
 
My husband spied this heron up above us in pine tree overlooking the water.  It's not often you see them in trees, although I know they make their nests there.
 
 
 This one didn't feel comfortable with us drifting below him in the canoe, and off he went just like all the others.  A rather interesting view of him from below.
 
 
 

 We saw lots of ducks there too.  I don't get too excited about the ducks.  We saw some other people feeding them potato chips ... dumb people.  The ducks immediately came swimming up to our canoe expecting a handout from us. 
 
 
These ducks seemed to have little smiles on their faces.
 
 
They were so friendly (probably the chips!!) and we saw them everywhere this year.
 
 
The ducks that missed out on the chips were forced to revert to wild eating habits ... bottoms up!!
 
 
Occasionally, there was one or two who were being all shy, hiding in the reeds ...
 
 
They were all rather cute, and made for a bit of fun photography as we paddled along the rivers.
 
 
The last bird I'm going to show you (yes! I'm almost done here!) is the pileated woodpecker. 
 
 
We have these largest of the woodpeckers in our own county, but obviously in the woods, not in town.  In our campground (Canisbay Lake) there have been families of pileated woodpeckers living there for a few years now.  Last year we saw the babies leave the nest one day, and then didn't see them for the rest of our visit. 
 
 
This year, the woodpeckers were especially noisy and they sounded like shrieking children at first.  They don't have a pretty voice ;)  A bit difficult to photograph since they are so busy!!  They tear into rotten wood with real determination ... bugs must get a shiver when they realize who is knocking on their tree bark door!
 
 
And that's it!  I hope you enjoyed the photos :)
and thanks for stopping by!
 
Wendy

27 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos, Wendy! I've always wanted to get a pic of the Pileated Woodpecker, but they've managed to elude me. Also that first guy is a new one to me. Love his punky hairdo. LOL

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  2. What a great outing, canoeing and birding photography. I think I read someplace Algonquin is one of the best canoeing trail parks in Canada. Your pictures were great, Wendy....:)

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  3. We love to bird watch when we are out and about. You took such great photos...so in focus on the birds. It really shows their details. I think I've seen all of these except the Merganser. We have one here in Florida but it has different coloring. Love that shot of the heron from below! Hugs, Diane

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  4. Wonderful pictures Wendy, and I totally understand why you want to take so many photos to capture your memories, and just because there is so much beauty all around to see. The Loon chicks are incredibly cute!! xx

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  5. Such a beautiful variety of birds you captured friend though it doesn't surprise me as I think birds naturally flock to you!! Those loon babies had me right away...how cute are those little fluffy guys!!! Wishing you a wonderful day friend! Nicole xoxo

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  6. Amazing photo's Wendy I would want to take loads of photo's too to capture all that beauty surrounding you, what a great variety of birds, love the little chicks and how they are watching you with their beady little eyes, so cute. :) xx

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  7. Wonderful photos Wendy. All that glorious bird life going about their daily life. The little chicks are so cute and I love the photos of the woodpecker...my goodness they hammer the trees, don't they.

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  8. Awesome series of photos and cool birds.. I love the loon chicks, they are adorable... And the Pileated shots are awesome.. The Pileated does sound cool! I really enjoyed your post. I hope the rest of your week is happy!

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  9. Loons have the most amazing eyes...love the underneath shot of the heron, we have one in our pond but whenever I get close he flies away. Pileateds have the most horrid screech...but I love them,especially the bright red flash of the head against snow.
    Jane x

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  10. I have lived in Ontario for years now and yet I have never made it to Algonquin Park! I love all you pictures of the park's birds especially the cranes. I didn't know they nested in trees. I always assumed they nested at the water's edge. Cranes are such regal looking creatures.

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  11. Wow that is quite the bird filled park! Such great shots you captured! I havent seen a loon since I was a kid and we vacationed in northern Minnesota. Thanks for sharing, loved them all!

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  12. OMG!!! What a fascinating pictures of varieties of birds in the park♡♡♡ Common Merganser looks really unique and the flying shots of Heron are the most impressive for me!!! Thank you very much for sharing with us♪

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs to from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  13. Now that is a vacation I'd love! Gorgeous quietude. I love the photo of the ducks and their reflection in the water. These are lovely enough to become a book! It isn't often but we do get pileated woodpeckers in our backyard. First time I saw one it was just amazing and still fascinating each time they visit. Amazing how LOUD they are. Herons here like to fish the backyard ponds, counting us to count our fish often. :o)

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  14. Wendy, *seriously* have you thought about sending your pictures into national Geographic or the like... wow! Nature at it's finest and you capture it beautifully! Hazel x

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  15. Hello Wendy :)

    Thanks so much for you nice comment on my post. I ended up accidentally hitting the "delete" button instead of the "publish" button (stupid me doing this on the small screen of my cell phone) obviously my fingers are to big for this c'',) So sorry....

    But back to you post, great pictures of the birds! I love the ones with the smiling ducks, they really do look happy and what a treat it was to see the woodpeckers :) You take such nice and clear photos.

    Have a happy upcoming weekend!
    Birgitta xx

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  16. Beautiful photos Wendy!! I enjoyed every one of them. Those baby loons' eyes watching you were too funny.

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  17. Wow Wendy the photos are so nice of all the ducks and birds! I love that you are able to share this with us. Have a nice weekend.
    Julie

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  18. Ooh, I loved this one. I enjoy watching the birds on the river here too, although I rarely photograph them. Yours are somewhat more colourful than ours though.

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  19. Hello Wendy, thank you for sharing your awesome bird post with my critter party.. Have a happy weekend!

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  20. what great shots! love the pileateds and herons. the loon chicks are adorable! really great shot of the heron in flight from the back - so much feather detail!

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  21. Beautiful photos. I love the photos of the ducks ! :) Enjoy your weekend!

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  22. Great collection of birds, this looks like a wonderful area and great shots of the loon chicks.

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  23. Awesome photos Wendy, love the great blue in flight. I'm sure you had an amazing time in Algonquin Park.

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  24. Oh what wonderful shots! Love the woodpeckers. Algonquin is an amazing park, we visit there every summer.

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  25. what a fantastic selection of critters in this post and I love the amazing reflection of the 2 ducks. Have a great weekend.

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  26. Fabulous photos! Have a lovely Sunday!

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  27. Great photos! I especially like the one you got of the Great Blue Heron from the back...such beautiful wings.

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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