Sunday, September 23, 2012

Burst of Autumn


We've had a few cool nights in the upper 40's and the autumn colors are starting to pop!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Port Colborne Lights



Lights from our backyard neighbors in the City of Port Colborne, Ontario are visible across Lake Erie this evening.  It's often too hazy to see from here, but the crisp weather tonight made the city skyline sparkle after sunset.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Wood Ducks

 I have been trying to get a good photograph of these Wood Ducks in a specific swamp for the last half of the summer.  They have been very elusive and usually disappear into the reeds before I can get a focus on them with the camera.  This was my best chance to date, but I will keep on trying...

Pied-billed Grebe


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Monday, September 17, 2012

Jewelweed


Jewelweed is a wonderful herbal remedy for the skin.  Juice from the stems will heal poison ivy, bee stings, mosquito bites, burns, sores and most any other skin irritation that you can think of.  It got its name from the way water droplets sparkle on the leaves.


Sunday, September 16, 2012

Migrating Yellowthroat Warbler

I found this migrating youngster and a few others mixed in with a flock of Chickadees this morning.  Migrating warblers are known to follow the local resident birds as they make their way south in order to find the best places to eat.

Hints of Autumn

Chilly overnight temperatures, morning fog and a touch of color on the trees...

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Monday, September 10, 2012

US Congress Attacks National Wildlife Refuges

From the Audubon Action Center:

The National Wildlife Refuge System, a cornerstone of bird and wildlife conservation in America, is facing unprecedented attack.  A new bill would halt any growth of the Refuge System, the world's premier system of public lands set aside for the protection of wildlife.

Please urge your U.S. Representative to vote NO on HR 3009.  Send the sample letter from the link below, or personalize it with your own words about why National Wildlife Refuges are important to you.

Click here to send a letter:
https://secure3.convio.net/nasaud/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1323

Heron Eating a Catfish


Sunday, September 9, 2012

Long-tailed Duck


The Long-tailed Duck is another species that breeds in the Arctic Circle and crosses the Great Lakes during migration season.  I have also seen them in open water on Lake Erie during the middle of winter. Commonly known as the "Old Squaw" duck, they are the only living member of its genus left in the world and are considered to be a threatened species. Sadly, extinction is forever...

To view a photo of an immature Long-tailed that I took in January 2011 click here.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

September Sunset


Whimbrel

A Whimbrel in the Chadwick Bay Harbor on Lake Erie in Dunkirk, New York.  This is a rare find for this area, even during migration season.  I saw four of them yesterday mixed in with a flock of Yellowlegs.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Snow Squall over Lake Erie