Columbia Lake, Waterloo, ON

 26 May, 2023

     On a pleasant, sunny day, we spent time at Columbia Lake, an appealing location mere minutes from our home.

     A Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) illustrated the efficacy of camouflage in shielding birds against predators.

     Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is one of those birds you can see a thousand times and the  excitement does not wane at all.

     We are extremely fortunate that this is a resident species, so even in the depths of winter its presence enlivens our natural landscape.

     A Common Green Darner (Anax junius) in flight is a coup for Miriam since we are not equipped with sophisticated long lenses with rapid fire action.

     It is axiomatic that odenates are difficult to photograph under the best of circumstances, so flight shots are especially treasured.

     Common Reed (Phragmites australis) is indisputably beautiful; it is nevertheless a serious menace in our wetlands.

     Once established it is both difficult and expensive to eradicate, quickly strangling other vegetation and depriving native species of nutrients, representing yet another example of human folly in introducing non-native species to fragile ecosystems.

     It would be a rare visit to Columbia Lake in May when several Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) were not present. 

     I don't know whether this Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) was panting in the heat of the day or screaming at us as we disturbed its routine.

     Columbia Lake is not especially large but its little bays and inlets create microhabitats and it's good to know where different species are most likely to be found.

     A Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) was where we expected it to be.

     Being a frog is a bit of a hazardous existence when there are herons, snakes and other predators all around, but this Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) was a robust specimen who has survived the trials of life so far.

     Walking on water is not such a a big deal - just ask this Whirligig Beetle (genus Dineutus).

     A Snail-killing Fly (genus Sepedon) is a fiercely-armed creature that would make any snail bent on living a while longer retire into its shell.

     A male Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) belted out his song from high on a snag, warning rivals to stay away.

     The goslings of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are found around every spot of water in the county - and beyond, and even though I abjure that I will not post another picture of them, I find myself doing it again, such is their domination of the adorability scale.

     A Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) mounts no serious challenge to this established verity.

     A Dunlin (Calidris alpina) in breeding attire is an exceedingly handsome bird and a small group of four of them sashayed back and forth in front of us, stabbing at invertebrates with their slightly droopy bill.

     Miriam took a large number of very fine pictures so you will please grant me your indulgence while I present a few more.

     An Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) made several unsuccessful dives but was undeterred as it continued its quest for dinner.

    On about the fourth or fifth attempt it locked its talons into a fish.

     It shook its feathers like a wet dog following a swim and unerringly headed towards a nearby nest, where a hungry female awaited and perhaps by now even a couple of ravenous chicks.

     Don't you wish you had a location like Columbia Lake just down the road? How fortunate we are!