Those Wood Ducks are a bit of alright.

 

A Brown-headed Cowbird.

 

You can always count on the Yellow Warblers to be among the first to herald the onset of warbler season. Here's one heralding at the top of its lungs.

 

A Tree Swallow on (what used to be) a tree.

 

When I was a little kid playing lacrosse, I always seemed to get a little mesmerized by (and a wee bit envious of) teams that wore red uniforms with grey trim. Probably why I like cardinals so much, their colour scheme was imprinted on me when I was a yoot.

 

Just a little squabble between gullfriends.

 

Blue Jay.

 

Just headed down for some sushi, you want any?

Royal Botanical Gardens.  Early this morning.

While not as colourful as her mate, the Wood Duck hen is still quite the beautiful specimen.

 

A Pied-billed Grebe. These grebes have the ability to trap water in their feathers. This helps them slowly sink below the surface if they feel threatened.

 

Black-capped Chickadee.

 

It's easy to overlook the female Wood Duck sometimes. In this photo, your eyes (and those of predators, presumably) immediately go to the vibrant drake standing proudly on the log. The hen simply blends in, hiding in plain sight.

 

Bald Eagle.

 

American Wigeon, stay away from me-ee.🎶

 

A Song Sparrow belting one out.

 

The intense red-eyed staredown from a Canvasback. Enough to make a guy (moi) scuttle back a bit from the water's edge.

 

A Red-breasted Nuthatch.

 

A Cooper's Hawk on high alert for interlopers. It was remarkable to watch how fast she flew, chasing away other hawks that strayed too close to her nest.

 

It's nice at this time of year watching birds and animals help each other out, giving their friends piggy-backs and stuff.

 

An American Robin rocking the all-you-can-eat sumac bar.