We witnessed a small part of the annual migration that Tundra Swans make from their winter home on the US east coast (like the Carolinas) on their way to Canada's Arctic. Then they'll do the reverse trip in the fall. Tundra Swans spend about 20% of the year migrating due to their need to take frequent breaks during their trips. We're very fortunate to live a few minutes' walk from one of their favourite places for a pit stop. We saw over a thousand of these beauties pass through during the two hours we watched.

 

Off to see the swans...

Lasalle Park Marina, Burlington, ON

Off to see the wizard...

 Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, ON

It's not easy being a Belted Kingfisher when the streams and lakes are frozen, but this one looks pretty determined to carry on fishing regardless.

 

Trumpeter Swans in love.

 

I'm a big fan of this Merlin's tail fan. Also, the tail fan / wing stretch combo.

 Lasalle Marina, Burlington, ON

A White-breasted Nuthatch posing on a stick.

 

I wish for rabbits that are easier to catch, I wish for muskrats that don't smell like poop, I wish for these people looking at me to go away, and I wish for it to be Friday instead of Tuesday.

Dundas, ON.
 

A Red-bellied Woodpecker. You can tell it's a male because its red cap goes from his nose to the nape of his neck. Females only have red at the back of their head.

 

The perkiest, most energetic bird in the forest at this time of year is definitely the Winter Wren.

 

Momma teaching the kids bad habits.

The sweetest one in the herd out back.

 

She cracks me up.

 

Making sure he's loading the dishwasher properly. Northern Cardinal wife.

 

A Tundra Swan. The main differences between Tundra and Trumpeter Swans are...A: Tundras have a straight bill between the eyes, not V-shaped. B: Tundras have the little patch of yellow under its eyes and C: Tundras are smaller than Trumpeters.

 

Let's Go Pop Pop

 

A Horned Grebe.

 

Koda spied a beaver.

 

Check out the Cooper's Hawk's response to Koda getting a bit too close in the backyard.

 

Cooper's Hawk through the window. The death stare photo was taken as we eased the sliding door open to get an unobstructed view.

 

Maybe we need to install a trailcam in the front yard.

 

We installed a trail camera in the backyard in June. Here's the six month species list...rabbits, cats, skunks, deer, possums, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and very determined (but as yet, 'baffled') raccoons. Not shown - squirrels.