Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Swainson's Hawk

A number of Swainson's Hawks are currently flying around Delmanor Retirement Resdience in Aurora, Ontario, 35 kms. north of Lake Onrario.   This is the third year in a row this species has been hereabouts.   They are normally found much further west in the central United States, particularly in Kansas.   They have been breeding here and are becoming a regular sighting by local birders.

They are similar in size to the Red-tailed Hawk, and are slim with a small head and long narrow wings.   When soaring, its wings are held above the horizontal, and wingtips are long and pointed.   Tips of feathers can be widespread in flight (note photo above). 

They feed mostly on large insects like crickets and grasshoppers.

Please comment if you wish.

BarryutheBirder

Trumpeter Swans at Aurora's Mackenzie Marsh...

Photos by BarrytheBirder

A pair of Trumpeter Swans appear to be nesting at MacKenzie Marsh, on the St. John's Sideroad in North Aurora.   This will be a welcome addition to the local birdwatching scene once again this summer.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Early May subsets continue...

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

First week of May...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Pretty sunsets...a few robins...but chilly temperatures

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Barry Wallace

Moon shot - early May

                                                                   Photo by Barry Wallace

This photo was taken around 5 a.m., on Monday, May 5.   The full moon had appeared like this, above fir trees, for about four days in the south-western sky over Aurora, west of Butternut Ridge Trail.   It was a shimmering white each night, but as dawn approached it started to shimmer into a pale yellow as it sunk behind the earth's atmosphere.   The orange spot in the photo is a light atop a communications tower.   At the time of this photo, it was a cold 2 degrees with very light snow.

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Barry Wallace

Starnge creature shows up in King Township...

Photo: Geoffrey Simpson 

A domestic sheep or a wild deer?

Geoffrey Simpson, of King Township, has posted the online photo above of a creature that showed up on his 'Trail Cam' camera, on his property recently.  Geoff solicited opinions as to what this creature might me.   So far, the response to his inquiry has suggested that the creature might possibly be a wild sheep (perhaps an an exotic pet escapee or livestock novelty), while another response says close examination of the video screenshots suggests a deer-like creature, with distinctive deer-like features ( such as structure, tail, coat and location).

Suggestions to Geoff include reporting of the sighting to York Region Animal Services or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for appropriate comment.

It seems one never knows what Mother Nature has up her sleeve.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Soaking up some rays...

 Pat - sunbathing end of April

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Barry Wallace