It's just a jump to the left...

 

Sumac leaves in the front, Skyway in the back.

 

A mallard appeared out of the blue.

 

These two are undoubtedly plotting their next strafing run on the Goldfinches at the feeder. It's like bowling for finches out there.

 

A gritty but pretty view of the city plus there's a swan if you squint a bit.

 

Osprey with a catfish fresh from the pond.

 

Cedar Waxwings (Juvies)

 

A nice morning at Cootes Paradise.

 

Ospreys perched but without a perch. Or catfish. Or carp. Still nice to look at.

 

American Goldfinch posing.

 

Double-crested Cormorant

 

Great Egret tossing back a minnow.

 

Ruby-crowned Kinglets, none of whom are showing off their ruby crowns.

 

When a new girl arrives in the neighbourhood, there's going to be some scrutiny.

Royal Botanical Gardens

A Great Blue Heron 10 minutes before sunrise then a few minutes after.

Hamilton Waterfront Trail

Purple Finch with a mouthful of bugs. I know, no purple to be seen but this is either a gal or a young 'un.

Grindstone Creek, RBG.

Eastern Chipmunk with its underparts nicely swaddled against the autumn chill by that cozy-looking tail.

Osprey with a firm grip on lunch.

Hendrie Valley, Burlington, ON.

Northern Parula

A poppy popped in the garden.

Great Egret and its ripply reflection.

Cootes Paradise

Yellow-rumped Warbler who's not one bit bashful about looking a guy right in the eye.

Cottontail on semi-high alert.

This Great Blue Heron was quite proud of the catfish it "caught". I say "caught" because the fish was already quite dead and already starting to decompose a bit. Regardless, the heron would drop it occasionally then viciously spear it again as if it was still a lively specimen that was about escape if it wasn't subdued quickly. Finally, after many aborted swallow attempts, the catfish went down the hatch and the look in the heron's eyes in the last photo was one of "Uh oh, what the hell did I just do?"

Grindstone Creek, Royal Botanical Gardens

There's no shortage of beautiful Yellow-rumped Warblers passing through the area.

Hamilton Waterfront Trail

Red Squirrel snacking on a walnut while she's having a little poop. An efficient use of one's time, I feel. #multitasking

Royal Botanical Gardens

Two years ago, today, my daughter asked me to take a few engagement photos of her and her fiance-now-husband. I said I didn't think the light was very good but ok, whatever. A few minutes later we took 10 steps into a nearby ravine and Mother Nature did the whole "hold my beer" thing and proved me quite wrong about poor light conditions.