6 Barred Owls, Deer, Hawk, and more Dec 30, 2009

Karen and I went to Prequille Park on Wed. It was a beautiful clear day, sun shinning and only -10 lol. It didn't feel that cold thank goodness. When we arrived we saw the most beautiful red tail hawk. Took lots of photos. Then we did the loop with Alan and Natalie and between all of them we saw 6 barred owls. When you look a the photos you will think it is the same one over and over. I believe the first 4 were male (quite small) and the last 2 (female - bigger + lighter) Just beautiful. Other highlights ruffled grouse on top of a tree(record shot), red breasted grosbeak, and 3 deer. On the way home saw a fox and long eared owl. I may change the photo but wanted to put a couple up. Also note the one barred I did not get any shots.

Female Adult Northern Harriers and Red Tail Day Dec 29, 2009

Karen and I went for a drive north of Whitby. It was a beautiful day for a drive and we enjoyed looking around - but there were no birds. Try as we might the nests in the tree didn't turn into a hawk.
When we were heading back to Whitby the hawks started to appear. We must have seen 10 red tails plus an assortment of male and female harriers.

Snow all around - harrier, red tail and shrike Dec 28, 2009

Was out for a bit this morning and saw a snowy owl, a northern shrike chasing a sparrow, and over 400 snow buntings. This afternoon is started to snow so I went to Halls Road hoping to get a hawk or owl on a post in the snow. Saw another shrike, a few red tails and a hunting harrier.
Double click image to enlarge.

Short Eared Owl chasing a Harrier, Kestrel Dec 27, 2009

Dec 27 I took off to do a little birding. I saw many red tailed hawks, and harriers. The treat was a short eared owl chasing a harrier and then the harrier chasing the short eared owl. Now they were a long ways away but I got a couple of very poor shots. This was a lifer for me to see one. Also a couple of other photos of the kestrel, red tail hawk on the ground.

Happy Holidays 2009

Want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season.
Rory our new beagle has agreed to pose for this shot (not really it took 3 of us to hold him down for 5 quick shots).
Enjoy the holiday season. Ann Erle and Rory

Red Tail Hawk - Dec 20, 2009

Over the weekend I saw 7 roughlegged hawks, more than 15 red tail hawks, a possible sighting of a bald eagle, red bellied woodpecker, downy and hairy woodpeckers, cardinals, sparrows, nuthatches, and so much more. My last sighting was this beautiful red tailed hawk. thanks mom for having me over and some great meals. Thanks Jen and Jeff for a great tour around the Barrie area. Chris it was so funny to see you pull up where the snowies were. Too much fun for one weekend.

Snowies Harriers Dec 20, 2009

both the snowies and harriers were too far away but it was wonderful to see them. Also there was a northern shrike, snow buntings, 3 snowies and 2 harriers or and a porcupine.