From a fairly magical encounter, a close-up image of a Cooper’s I was very lucky to get close to. While I normally have a pretty high sense of my stalking abilities, this was pure luck. I happened upon the bird, in a moment of alertness (on both our parts), and had sufficient cover to secure images before retreating with the stealth I usually use for approaching birds. It stayed on its perch, none the wiser.

Tags:   Ottawa woodlands Coopers Hawk Épervier de Cooper Chance encounter

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There are a lot of quite varied woodland trails in and around Ottawa. Each attracts a range of species, but some are known to be reliable locations for a subset of species. Looking for Woodpeckers, I knew where I wanted to go.

Like many other species, Hairy Woodpeckers are opportunistic feeders. They will hear another species feeding, and assume there is something there for them too. This bird had watched a Pileated Woodpecker open up the hole in the bark. I heard the Pileated as well, and was trying to position myself to take advantage of fading light and uneven ground when it flew to a nearby tree. While I was picking a route to meet it at the second tree, this bird jumped into the spot formerly occupied by the Pileated. There was less drilling to do, and apparently some food left behind.

I did eventually catch up to the Pileated, but I like this image more.

Tags:   Ottawa woodlands Pic chevelu Hairy Woodpecker Opportunistic feeder

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A late afternoon outing to celebrate a burst of warmer weather turned out to be a few days away from a big snowstorm - one of the biggest of the winter.

But, like me, creatures that need the sun and warmth were out basking, oblivious to what was coming.

I don’t like to anthropomorphize wildlife, but it was nearly impossible to see this creature, having climbed up above the water, as anything other than Yertle: the highest-basking turtle on the lake.

Tags:   Midland Painted Turtle Tortue peinte du centre Chrysemys picta marginata Spring 2024 Emerging wildlife Ottawa wetlands

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This image, from the fall last year, shows just how long a lush green environment hung around. The late and sporadic winter no doubt confused many of the rare overwintering species we had.

Of course this species is no stranger to winter. But it was nice to see it pop up in the woods with a green background.

Tags:   Sittelle à poitrine blanche White-breasted Nuthatch Lingering summer conditions Ottawa woodlands

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What is likely a first winter male practices his courtship behaviours while floating alone down the Ottawa River. The presence of fairly large numbers of Goldeneye along the Ottawa is one of the winter’s delights. I have seen them occasionally outside of winter but they are reliably present when it is very cold.

They stick to the open waters on the Ottawa, which is made possible by rapids and side channels of moving water. Much of the River normally freezes over in and around the city - or it did until this year. The ice fishing huts never really appeared, as the ice was not given sustained periods of deep cold to thicken.

Tags:   Garrot à œil dor Common Goldeneye Young male Ottawa River Winter visitors

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