Overcast, rather dull outside, but I feel pretty house cooped after working on a Sunday so I head out anyway. Decide to take a more bike frequented paved trail, just to see what it is about, as I do not expect much from the day anyway, it is mid afternoon and I am just getting out now. The morning was stolen by terrible commitments and a lack of coverage.
Nothing for a good while, suddenly the scene begins to come alive. A cardinal again, and again, it eludes my attempt to capture its redness. Nothing new there.
As I continue to walk down this biker filled area, there is a second, old road to my left and I start walking on it, as it is untrafficed. Quite nice. Lo and behold, as I continue I come across a wetland restoration area, which provided many treasures. Some variety of duck-like bird flies by,mostly orange/brown upper body, some hints of colour, odd shape. Not enough for me to figure out what it is.
Walking further along this swamp I see a 'blue jay' more to a stump, then flit away. I pass by and continue, spotting what turn out to be 'eastern kingbirds', something new for my eye. I would have guessed swallow with the naked eye, but the bill is of course not right for that, along with all the other later reasons that was a no go.
Passing back by the area of the 'blue jay', I see in profile a large dagger billed bird perched on a tree. A belted kingfisher, it flits to 2 other perches and then flies away. I have yet to spot a kingfisher, ever, so this was a treat. I will need to get a shot of it one day, most certainly, but for now I am happy with the look.
Not too much excitement after that, The wetland left behind I return to a fairly trafficed trail. Again the sky, very close Catbirds (grey) sang overhead and I snapped what turned out to be some silhuoette type photos, too much back lighting in the overcast late afternoon sky. A very good look, and as always some good entertainment through delay and odd song from them. Certainly nothing new (although I did not find them until moving here), but not a bird I mind watching and listening to in the least.
It begins to drizzle and I begin the long trek home, a bit footsore after 8+k after a shift of standing at work.
Nothing for a good while, suddenly the scene begins to come alive. A cardinal again, and again, it eludes my attempt to capture its redness. Nothing new there.
As I continue to walk down this biker filled area, there is a second, old road to my left and I start walking on it, as it is untrafficed. Quite nice. Lo and behold, as I continue I come across a wetland restoration area, which provided many treasures. Some variety of duck-like bird flies by,mostly orange/brown upper body, some hints of colour, odd shape. Not enough for me to figure out what it is.
Walking further along this swamp I see a 'blue jay' more to a stump, then flit away. I pass by and continue, spotting what turn out to be 'eastern kingbirds', something new for my eye. I would have guessed swallow with the naked eye, but the bill is of course not right for that, along with all the other later reasons that was a no go.
Passing back by the area of the 'blue jay', I see in profile a large dagger billed bird perched on a tree. A belted kingfisher, it flits to 2 other perches and then flies away. I have yet to spot a kingfisher, ever, so this was a treat. I will need to get a shot of it one day, most certainly, but for now I am happy with the look.
Not too much excitement after that, The wetland left behind I return to a fairly trafficed trail. Again the sky, very close Catbirds (grey) sang overhead and I snapped what turned out to be some silhuoette type photos, too much back lighting in the overcast late afternoon sky. A very good look, and as always some good entertainment through delay and odd song from them. Certainly nothing new (although I did not find them until moving here), but not a bird I mind watching and listening to in the least.
It begins to drizzle and I begin the long trek home, a bit footsore after 8+k after a shift of standing at work.
