Thursday, January 16, 2020

Tuesday Rambles with David - DesJardins Canal and North Shore of Lake Ontario

14 January 2020

     The day started oh so well.
     Judy and Mary arrived to carpool with us, and Judy produced a bag of six of her unrivalled cinnamon buns. The entire world should be permitted to taste these treats, unencumbered as they are by sticky, gooey over-sweet icing. She had brought them for us to eat at home, but in short order the combined appetites of Mary, Miriam and I, were doing justice to three of them - and still there were three remaining to leave in the house for later. I am seriously contemplating making this a condition for Judy to join our Tuesday walks. I will grovel if need be, prostrate myself - whatever it takes to have her bring more! As the world might note to its advantage, Judy has fine buns!
     Winter in Ontario has thus far been an up and down affair, with a few classic cold, snowy days, but more than a fair share of grey, sullen days with mist and fog, the temperature soaring well above freezing. Today was such a day, but we were not to be deterred. After all, we can't change the weather so the only solution is to make the best of it.
     I was fortunate to have the company of three attractive, intelligent women and the journey to our first stop in Dundas was over in no time at all. 

The DesJardins Canal

     The canal was remarkably devoid of birds. There were lots of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and really not much of anything else.


     Miriam spotted this twig looking remarkably like a bird and we had fun debating what it most closely resembled.


     The conditions were hardly ideal for photography.
     Over time this area has been converted from a grimy industrial no man's land to an attractive urban oasis, with careful planning and excellent results. This shelter is quite new.


     We cast a farewell glance along the canal before returning to the car to leave for LaSalle Park and Marina in Burlington.


All species at DesJardins Canal: Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch. 

LaSalle Park and Marina

     I have visited LaSalle for many, many years, and it has become one of my favourite spots in southern Ontario. This is a place where it is hard to have a bad day.
      It was murky! A little sun was trying to break through but that's about as lucky as we got. 


     There were many ducks out on the bay, but the combination of distance and poor light made picture-taking a challenge.
    Mallards were very common, as is always the case, joined by a Redhead (Aythya americana) in the picture below.


     Large flocks of Canvasbacks Aythya valisineria) floated on the waves much farther out. The lake was quite choppy as you will note.


     A Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbulus) nest being tossed around in a leafless tree brought back memories of last spring and reminded us that those joys await us again soon. We visualized that flash of orange and black in our mind's eye!


     This female Mallard was extremely interesting, and quite beautiful I might add, and seems to be exhibiting a good degree of leucism.


     Some of the Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) appear to have been foraging in areas where there is a considerable level of ferrous content in the soil or mud.


     In the past many of you have voiced your disapproval of the large yellow wing tags used to identify these swans, and I share your view that they are not especially attractive, but I am assured that they are effective and do not impede the bird.
     Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) are not fitted with similar adornments.


     For the most part the birds seemed to get along well together.


     But what would a day on the lake be without a quarrel or two?


     A handsome male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) seemed to prefer his own company.


     For as long as I can remember LaSalle Park has been a reliable location for American Black Duck (Anas rubipres) and a dozen or so were present today.


     We had a quick conference and decided that we would venture a little farther than we normally do and journey on into Toronto to Colonel Samuel Smith Park. We ate our lunches in the car and headed east along the lake shore.

All species at LaSalle Park and Marina: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, American Black Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal. 

Sioux Lookout Park, Burlington, ON

     This was just a quick stop to scan the lake for Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) and we did see a few individuals. Once again the birds were far out and there were whitecaps on the waves. No other ducks of any kind were observed.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Toronto, ON

     We made good time and it was an entertaining ride, especially for Judy. She knew little of the history of the various hamlets, villages and settlements that have been amalgamated into larger municipalities and cities along Lake Ontario and I was able to give her a bit of background into all of this, which she found very interesting.
     Almost as soon as we began our walk through the park we saw evidence of recent activity by American Beaver (Castor canadensis) anywhere that suitable trees were located.




     I would imagine that their winter storage is well provisioned!
    Lake Ontario was very rough and waves crashed against the shore.




     Gadwall (Mareca strepera) are usually numerous in this corner of the lake, but I suspect that the wind and waves had driven them to more tranquil and sheltered inland ponds which is where we found them.




     A Canada Goose occupied a fine perch.



     Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is a supremely attractive little duck but can be very difficult to photograph. It seems that no sooner are you focused on them than they dive out of sight. Miriam did well to get these images of a male and a pair.




     If you are like me you are always curious about the origin of birds' names, but a Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) tells the story at a glance.




     Long-tailed Ducks could be seen far out, but in nowhere near the numbers we have come to expect at this time of the year. A shot of this female is all that we managed.



     Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) were also riding on the turbulent water and once again a distant shot of a female was the best we could obtain.



     Mute Swans were abundant at the marina, and judging from their response to humans walking by, I suspect that they are accustomed to people feeding them.





     It will not be long before this juvenile acquires the pristine white plumage of an adult bird.




All species at Colonel Samuel Smith Park: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Ring-billed Gull, Black-capped Chickadee

Lakeshore Promenade Park

     By the time we arrived at this location, our final stop for the day, the conditions had ameliorated somewhat, especially in terms of the light, so decent photographs became more of a possibility.
     We saw more gulls in one spot than we had observed all day.



     Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) was the most numerous species, but American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) was also present, and a lone Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) is visible in the pictures below.




     It is easy to also pick out Herring Gulls in the above picture, and Ring-bills of course, and the size ranking is quite apparent - Great Black-backed Gull is the largest (it is in fact the world's biggest gull), followed by American Herring Gull, with Ring-billed Gull being the smallest of this trio.
     But in terms of sheer numbers Ring-billed Gull won the day.





     Can anyone who takes the time to really look at this bird fail to be impressed?
     Mallards were not reticent about paying a visit to creatures on two legs, hoping for a handout I am sure.




     Redheads were closer to shore than they had been at LaSalle Park.



     And so were Greater Scaup (Aythya marila).    






     What message do we take from this day, a day filled with the enjoyment of birds, the pleasure of nature, the richness of a shared experience with good friends? Whatever the weather there is fun to be had outdoors and knowledge to be gained. Don't close your door and stay at home. The world is out there waiting to be explored and each of us has only so many days to do it.

All species at Lakefront Promenade: Mute Swan, Gadwall, Mallard, Redhead, Greater Scaup. Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

83 comments:

  1. ...I started counting the number of birds, but quickly lost count!

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  2. It looks like the one swan has the yellow tag in her beak!

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  3. David, why are the swans labeled? I didn't understand.

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    1. This species had been extirpated in Ontario and has been successfully reintroduced. The tags are to monitor the movement of the birds during their post breeding migration.

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  4. Il y'a en vraiment beaucoup et plein de différents!Le canard blanc est très joli, il doit bien se voir de loin dans son groupe.
    J'aime bien le petit canard avec les yeux dorés.
    Les castors ont bien travaillé!
    Bonne journée

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  5. You all had a sweet start to the day!!
    This was a most rewarding outing.

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  6. mooie natuur serie weer met al de volgens, echt genieten,
    Groet Kees.

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  7. Hello David, sounds like a great outing and the cinnamon buns sound delicious. I wish I could try one! Beautiful captures of the ducks, swans and gulls. I keep missing the Goldeneye, maybe I will see it some day. Happy birding, enjoy your day!

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    1. Make a trip up here, Eileen, and I will coax, bribe, importune, grovel, beg Judy to make cinnamon buns, and at this time of the year I could guarantee you a Common Goldeneye.

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  8. Hari OM
    What a pretty wee gull is the ring-bill!!! For sure, that tree part is a kingfisher of the Kookaburra kind &*> YAM xx

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  9. En alldeles förträfflig utflykt förstår jag. Goda vänner, goda hembakta kakor och trevliga promenader i naturen med mängder av vackra fåglar att njuta av. Imponerande att du kan artbestämma måsarna(gulls) det finns ju några att välja på.
    Idag såg jag för första gången en ovanlig besökare vid vår gård, Picus canus, ett trevligt tillskott till min 100 bok.

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    1. What a great bird to have visit your property, Gunilla.

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  10. Enjoyed seeing the white swans. They are quite rare in Western Australia, we have the black swans, which is actually WA's bird emblem.
    The beavers have been busy destroying the trees.
    Lovely photos David.

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  11. What wonderful pictures, David...but....no pictures of Judy's buns?! lol Those canvas backs are very interesting. I have never seen those before and, of course, I love the swans and that pretty speckled female.
    Our Lake MI is quite wild this year and there have been newscasts about how wicked the waves have been.
    I hope you have a great upcoming weekend. Diana

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  12. You guys got around! I love the Bufflehead. Never seen one like that! Very handsome. And that photo of the swan spreading wings -- wow! Loved the female mallard, too.

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  13. I have never heard of a Buffelhead, pretty bird. Have you stood on the scales since you had those Cinnamon buns ? They do sound good though 😊 Keep well Diane

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    1. I can't even remember the last time I stood on the scales - but my pants still fit! 😀

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  14. Sounds like a perfect hike - nice company, lots of birds and water fowl, and cinnamon buns. Could I invite Judy to accompany me on a hike? I would provide the coffee!. Love the beautiful pics of the swans. Interesting to see that you still have Canada geese over there - I thought they were all over here by us! Thanks for sharing! Regards, Valerie

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  15. Ohh such nice photoes of the waterbirds!Love all of them:))specially the swans.
    also that white mallard..I had one here for some years..from when it was born (It was totally yellow)to it disapeared a year ago..I think it never could have babies..and it was often harrased by the others but so is life also in nature..-thank you for good post David :)

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  16. Thank you for a superb outing, David! Although, Judy's buns are not quite as satisfying in the "virtual" world as I am certain they must be in reality.

    You observed quite a diverse group of birds during the day. Kudos to Miriam on capturing the Bufflehead! My own collection includes an impressive number of Bufflehead butts and ripples on the water's surface where a Bufflehead was located as I pressed the shutter release.

    The image of the twig is quite obviously a Black-chinned Hummingbird who traveled the wrong direction during migration and became frozen for eternity.

    The coffee pot is empty so it must be time to go birding.

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  17. What a wonderful outing you all experienced. Lots of beautiful photos and sightings. Thanks for sharing, David.

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  18. Dear David,
    I'm so happy who can look at these beautiful photos. All the birds are very pretty.

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  19. Bons companheiros e divertidos nos passeios com pássaros!
    Não ficar em casa porque a vida lá fora é maravilhosa se partilhada também com a natureza.
    Abraços

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  20. The twig looks like a hammer... :)

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  21. Great variety of ducks! I always enjoy seeing a new for me one.

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  22. So many varieties of ucks! I’ve never seen a leucistic mallard. She is quite beautiful.

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  23. It would be impossible to select one single of these as the most beautiful.

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  24. Precioso reportaje cargado de diversidad amigo David y muy buenas fotos de Miriam aunque el día no acompañara. Grata compañía y buenos bollos, ¿que más se puede pedir?
    Un gran abrazo amigo y compadre David.

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  25. I'm hooked on swans. Probably Tchaikovsky was hooked too; he composed a ballet "The swan lake".

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    1. I think that the ballet has become about as eternal as the swans! I have seen "Swan Lake" performed, but nowhere near as much as "The Nutcracker." Ballet is an under-appreciated art form in my opinion. Perhaps I like it so much because the dancers resemble birds in flight! On one of our very early dates Miriam and I went to the ballet. And that pas de deux worked out well!

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  26. What a wonderful array of birds and I was amazed at what the Beaver can do.

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  27. I am not familiar with ducks, save the most common, like mallards. Quite a treat to see so many.

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  28. Hi David.

    Beautiful nature.
    You have been able to view many Birds and Ducks.
    Miriam has been able to take beautiful photos.

    Greeting from Patricia.

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  29. A lot of nice observations. Beautiful ducks, geese and swans!
    We often take pictures, and then it turns out that it was a branch. :-)
    Beavers also do a lot of damage. The trees at the lake are specially protected with a steel mesh.

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  30. Another good walk David :) having good friends (and good buns!) just makes it I think!

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  31. A wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing it. We're pretty frozen in here. So many birds have left.
    It's so important to study the birds. We've made such gains.

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  32. We have an abundance of seagulls and ducks in my neck of the woods but swans are a rarity. These creatures with their long expressive necks result in beautiful photos. It's neat how when their heads bend to connect, they form the shape of a heart.

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  33. Another great post David. I have learned many names of different ducks. I liked the most Mallard, Bufflehead and Redheads. I think you have had nice trip with tasty buns.
    Happy weekend!

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  34. So nice to see all the great waterfowl in your post!! The photos are especially great of the Goldeneye not one I get to see often. Good advice on the last line in the paragraph!

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  35. The female Mallard is quite beautiful. I always enjoy seeing swans. They are so graceful.

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  36. Hay una gran cantidad de patos y cisnes, me encantan. El pájaro en el árbol, a mí me parece un pájaro carpintero. Me habría encantado ver los bollos de canela, yo también me habría apuntado al paseo. Abrazos amigo David.

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  37. Miriam really is such a talented photographer. These pictures really make the viewer feel that she is "there". And, of course, your illuminating commentary provides context. Thank you for sharing!

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  38. Hello David,
    sit is also a nice series and I see the Candese goose :-)))) If you have little light it is also difficult to photograph, but it looks good anyway. your landscapes are also more than worthwhile. Nice groups of different types of ducks. I don't know the nest in the tree that you show. I mean I have never seen such a nest. The swans are also so cute :-))))) Apparently you also have beavers there :-)
    Then again many types of ducks. I think the spectacle diver is a beautiful duck. I have loved ones again from these winged friends :-)
    Thank you for sharing this.
    A big kiss,
    Helma

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  39. A lot of birds... Beautiful place... Enjoy your weekend

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  40. Perhaps a dull day weatherwise but as a reader, I found the birds photographed quite spectacular. I just love the swan images.
    I think the Miriam's twig is an emaciated Kingfisher.

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  41. Hi David
    I enjoy this post. Many ducks and swans I've never seen. Because they do not occur in the Netherlands! Amazing pictures!
    Happy weekend!
    Best regards.
    Maria

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  42. A beautiful scenery, and an incredible variety of ducks! Your close ups are beautiful David.

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  43. Beautiful photos Miriam has taken, love them all. Well done.
    The swans, how beautiful they no matter what they are doing. Not a fan of those tags as they look too big, but they serve their purpose.
    The ducks are lovely as are all the birds.
    That new platform is indeed a beauty, along with the lovely scenery.

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  44. Such beautiful birds and excellent photos of them.
    The Great Lakes are indeed great, they all look like seas to me. :)
    Happy birding!

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  45. Hello, David! My first thought on the "twig" bird was a toucan. I have a good imagination. The beaver is doing a lot damage to the trees there. I read the beavers actually pick the highest quality tree, they are amazing. Great photos of the ducks,gulls, geese and swans. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for the visit and commenting on my blog.

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  46. Hello David. Very interesting post and photos. The nest of Baltimore Oriole look little bit same kind than the Eurasian penduline tit's nest. Have a great weekend.

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  47. Hi Both,
    Another interesting trip but in difficult conditions, my sympathy Miriam, my last visit out I made a hash of my images, not the weather as with you. The Leucistic Mallard is a first for me and really is so different . The beavers have really done some damage to the trees but that comes with the luck of having Beavers.
    All the best,
    John

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  48. I wonder why I am carving a sticky cinnamon bun right now! Great tree twig find. Trees are one of those things we can gaze at for hours seeing various shapes in its branches. The ducks are so beautiful and those bright orange feet! It looks like you found a perfect way to spend a murky winter day David.

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  49. The swans are looking very elegant! This post reminds me of a quote from Mary Oliver:
    "Instructions for living a life
    Pay attention.
    Be astonished
    Tell about it."
    Another enjoyable day spent with great company and seeing all the beauty nature has to offer.

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    1. I really have to explore Mary Oliver's work a little more.

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  50. Sorry for the late visit, David, but I'm just catching up after what seems like an eternal round of chores as Lindsay is still out of action although improving - slowly! I did manage to get out to deliver a couple of evening talks, however, but that just compressed the work load at home. Anyway, here I am, and delighted to catch up with your blog.

    It never ceases to amaze me how you manage to cram so much into your Tuesday Rambles. You always seem to get great sightings and produce some super photos between you - and even have time for social interaction too. It does worry me slightly that you seem to have managed to develop a fixation on Judy's buns - perhaps she should plaster them in sticky icing to put you off!

    My very best wishes to you and Miriam - - - Richard

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    1. Hi Richard: Glad to hear that Lindsay is improving. Now you have my mind working overtime.....Judy's buns slathered in icing, huh? I will have to talk to her about it!

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  51. I loved your comment on my post today and now your words of wisdom at the end of yours! I love getting outside to see what I can see...even if it means just a drive in the car to a preserve. You found so many beautiful birds in this one outing. LOVE the Mute Swan...what fabulous photos of these, even that juvenile is eye catching! Thanks for encouraging us all to get out in nature! I'm glad we are friends! Happy weekend!

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    1. I am glad we are friends too, Diane. It is amazing how blogging friendships develop.

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  52. Lovely photos, especially of the swans! Thanks for popping by my blog today. Never underestimate seniors, LOL!

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  53. Excellent photos! That female mallard is a stunner!

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  54. hello David
    again a nice trip, the swans are wonderful but finding the beaver tracks is very exciting,
    Regards Frank

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  55. Of all you present to us today, my favorite by far is the portrait of the mute swan!


    Thanks for sharing with us at I'd Rather B Birdin

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  56. Grey skies and empty trees are the image of winter when I was growing up in East Tennessee - and icy rain. Your photos looks so familiar that way. I do love the swans! They always look so graceful.

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  57. Hello,
    the Bufflehead is the most uncommon to me.
    Very nice series of critters!
    Have a nice week ahead!

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  58. Such wonderful bird images!

    PipeTobacco

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  59. Hi David,
    that was a real "grand tour" you made that tuesday. But again, you saw an awfull lot of birds. Two pictures I love most: 13 - the fighting swans; and the gull at 37 that's looking very seriously.

    Best regards, Corrie

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  60. What a great amoutn of species you did see, wow. And nice photographs from Miriam. The ring-billed gull is impressive! Although Cadwall is a common species here I still love to see them so well photographed,they're wonderfull. And the Goldeneye is one of my favourites, a lovely little duck. A wonderfull report from your trip with lots of nice waterfowl!

    Hugs from The Netherlands (we aren't allowed to say 'Holland'anymore ;-) ).
    Marianne

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    1. I didn't know that the term "Holland" was now frowned on. Is there some profound reason for this, Marianne?

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  61. kuğular çok güzel

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  62. Very productive ramble to see waterfowl, despite the very cloudy sky and the low temperatures, impressive the amount of beautiful ducks, very different from where I live. I'm enjoying the "fresh air" that images transmit to mitigate the 36C of this moment in which I write.

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  63. Oh, they are so cute with their own expressions and behaviors.

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  64. Hi David, beautiful photos of the ducks, swans and gulls. Trumpet swans I saw in Denmark. You saw so much different birds, I wish I was there too. Have a nice week. Greetings Caroline

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  65. Las aves, llenan de vida el agua. Es una delicia contemplarlas allí en su medio.

    La belleza y elegancia del cisne, hace que esta ave sea una de las más apreciada. También las gaviotas llama muchao la atención, porque ellas siempre están en las cercanías del mar. Todos los que nos gusta el mar, disfrutamos con ellas.

    Besos

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  66. Hello David, what a lot of birds you encounterd at these waters. It must be a good place to stay over for Winter. The Ring-billed Gull is wonderful, also the Trumpeter Swans are stunning. We do get Wild Swans in Winter from the North but not these types.
    Do you have also have some of the snow and cold spel at the moment in your area? We saw in the news the amount of snow that has fallen in Canada.
    Regards,
    Rooos

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    1. Hello Roos: You probably saw the snow in Newfoundland on the news. We don't have anything like that much in southern Ontario. We have about 15cm on the ground and the temperature today was around minus 7 with bright sunshine - very pleasant.

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    2. Indeed it was Newfoundland I think. But at least you also had some snow.
      We used to have snow every Winter but if it snows 1 day in the season we are happy. No freezing tempratures annymore. To bad.

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  67. It was a great trip from which you and Miriam brought lots of fantastic photos. I like to watch swans are such beautiful birds.
    Hugs and greetings to Miriam and You, David.
    Lucja

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  68. I love all these winter ducks. They're all very cute. Thanks to Miriam for all the pictures.

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  69. The buffleheads are my favourites.

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