Female Screech Owl and Owlette in the tree together June 13 2010

This is what Carol and I saw today. Sitting up in a tree mom and baby for a very short time. What a thrill for both of us. The photo below was when the mom gave a nose rub to the baby. So cute. Took over 500 shots so more will be posted later.

Eastern Screech Owl and Owlettes - from the nest on

Over the past months we have been watching a pair of eastern screech owls. The male is red morph and the female is a gray morph. On June 1 we found out where the female was nesting and saw for the first time our little owlette. Little did we know that there were four of them. Note: They fledged on June 12, 2010 in the evening. I was not there but it sounded very exciting as they climbed up the tree and then flew. I will date the photos so you can see how the owlettes started to come out of the nest. Many photos are dark as they like to get active 1/2 hour before dusk. Enjoy.
A location is not being given in order to ensure the safety and well being of the family.

Male Screech


Female Screech



June 11, 2010 some shots of the owlettes



See the wings



June 10, 2010


June 8, 2010



June 6, 2010 baby owlette

Female on the nest



June 1, 2010 first time seeing owlette.

Ospreys flying everywhere - Janice's cottage June 2010

The ospreys were flying everywhere on Sturgeon Lake and surrounding lakes. It was wonderful. Even at breakfast I was watching for the fox kits when a osprey flies overtop with a fish in his talons. The one location I thought I was going to turn into Dorothy and fly away.

Cedar Waxwings, Meadowlarks, Bluebird, Blue Teal Duck Family

A few more highlights from the weekend. Still to come are osprey photos, fox and more birds. Over the 2 days trip we saw 54 species of birds plus a few wildlife animals. Some other highlights were the American Bittern in flight, Loons on the water (no good photos of any of them) but they were amazing to see.

Butterflies June 2010

OK Walter now I really need your help. I have no idea what each of the butterflies real names are. Took photos just for you. HELP ME>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

From Walter: Some really wonderful photos in both of your collections, great to see that the Red-tails are ready to go.

Your butterflies are;
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Red-spotted Purple
Pearl Crescent

The Red-spotted Purple butterfly is the only one that I've seen many times and still have yet to get
even one photo of. I've now seen 44 different butterflies in all.

Black Terns - visit to Janice's cottage June 4/5, 2010

I have been so busy taking pictures that I am now officially 2 weeks behind in processing. I wanted to post the black terns as they were a lifer for me. Now Janice took me to a sewage Laggoon to see these. When we arrived the guy said to watch for snapping turtles while we wandered around - NICE - so I made Janice go first lol.





As I catch up the blog may be out of order for a bit.

Also to see some more photos right away go to Janice birdsite.

Turtle Laying Eggs , Foxy, Owl Hunting June 3, 2010

Went out to visit my grandchildren and on the way saw this snapping turtle laying eggs. He was huge and I took some video of it. Hopefully I can upload one.



I have seen foxes in my area and around town lately. This was one big huge fox and very pretty colour.

Watched the screech owl hunting a baby starling. Starling got a way.