Canadian National Wildfowl Carving Championship 2026

      This annual event has become an eagerly anticipated date in my calendar; this year was no exception. Wood carvers and bird lovers of every type mingle together in celebration of this unique art form, with deep camaraderie and intense competition operating in equal measure. 

     Miriam had donated a quilted wall hanging as a raffle prize and I was delighted to be greeted by it as I walked through the door.

     I always arrive thirty to forty-five minutes before the judges are required to gather for the group picture, to get a general impression of the show, and to get a sense of the mix of carvings entered into competition.

      Beginner and novice carvers are anxious to prove their worth, highly ranked artists eager and proud to display their creative mastery of the art. 

     It bears reminding my readers that all of these carvings start out as a block of wood! And from the intermediate level up, every component is made and painted by the carver, every feather, every twig, every petal. 

     Look closely if you will at the incredible detail below and imagine the patience and skill required to achieve the results.

     Ken Hussey has become an accomplished exponent of the genre known as Contemporary Antique; it would not be overly hyperbolic to suggest that he has become Canada's leading figure in this category.

     The aim is to recreate the style of the working decoys used from the mid 1850s onwards. This form of primitive art is uniquely appealing, and some original decoys from the period sell for staggering sums.

     Ken always sets up a "workshop" at the show where attendees may watch him at work, transforming a block of tupelo, the preferred wood for carvers, into an object of great beauty.

     It always seems to me that this is an exceptionally fine way to educate (and entertain) an inquiring public.

     Each year, I look forward with renewed pleasure to seeing him ply his trade.

     I found this representation of an American Woodcock (a favourite bird to encounter in the wild) exceptionally appealing, imagining it gracing my shelves at home.

     I don't recall having seen a carved Herring Gull before.

     In the category of Decorative Life-size Floating Ducks, the carvings are not only required to be accurate as to size, but also to be able to float in a manner exactly as they would in real life. Not too high in the water, not too low, not prone to lean or tilt - truly to become a sitting duck!

     

     Intense scrutiny and discussion go into determining the winner.

     I was not involved in judging this segment of the competition, but I watched with interest. All of the entries had great merit, but I found the American Wigeon with head tucked under the wing absolutely outstanding. 

     Bruce Mifflin, one of my fellow judges, was awarded second place in the category for these miniature Common Goldeneyes.

     In the category "Interpretive Stylized," carvers may let their flight of fancy soar.

     Given the state of the world today, I thought this creative piece was especially relevant.

     Here's your challenge. Identify the bird and the butterfly!

     I was privileged once again to join Jeff Krete on a team of judges, along with Bruce Mifflin mentioned above. Jeff is a world champion many times over, a carver of consummate skill, extraordinary creativity with the ability to produce excellence every time. I have always thought, since first meeting him, that he brings an intellectual quality to his work that sets him apart.

     When he puts his glasses on you know he is getting down to serious business!

     Here's Jeff's entry into the 2026 championships, a magnificent Northern Raven.

     I know how difficult it is to photograph black birds and capture the intricate details of the plumage, let alone create one in such exquisite detail.

     Here is a close up of the landscape features.

     Pay close attention next time you see a raven in flight, or a diurnal raptor for that matter. You will notice the emarginated primaries that act as individual aerofoils, facilitating maneuverability.

     To have captured this is to have seized the essence of the bird in my estimation.

    Truly an extraordinary piece of art in every respect.

     I will leave you with a random selection of some of the other pieces in the show that caught my attention, in no particular order.

     There is more - much more. You'll have to come out to see it for yourself next year. Reserve June 4, 5, and 6, 2027 right now!

     See you there!

Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area

15 May, 2026 

     We had very much enjoyed our outing three days earlier with the group from Waterloo Region Nature, and Miriam suggested we make a return visit.

     It was quite wonderful. This reserve occupies 5,420 acres, and other than for one person erecting a sign, we saw not another visitor the entire time we were there. Now that's birding at its best!

     Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) was very common, often seen and almost never out of earshot. Mostly we spotted males.

     Females are occupied with nesting duties, but this individual was taking a brief break.

     We heard the stirring chorus of Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) and thrilled to the sight of them flying overhead.

     They came to rest on the far side of the marsh.

     A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) was unmoved by the arrival of the cranes.

     Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) were quite vocal, but seldom afforded the chance of a picture.

     A few Small Whites (Pieris rapae) were flying around; rarely landing however.

     A male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) probed for insects and their larvae under loose bark.

     I was constantly  reminded that Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a splendid flower, despite not being welcomed by gardeners.

     I am sure it found great favour with the numerous Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) seeking sweet nectar.

     Willows (genus Salix) are looking their best in their fine spring apparel.

     Star-flowered Lily-of-the-Valley (Maianthemum stellatum) is often found in moist rich forests and swamps.

     An Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) was flycatching from the same perch where it was seen a few days earlier.

     We had been hearing American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) consistently, but got only meagre glimpses as they moved quickly through the foliage. Finally, a male emerged in the open.

     As it turned out he had a lot to say for himself!

     Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are often seen perched on nest boxes.

     The female is probably inside incubating eggs.

     A White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) announced its presence, but resolutely refused to face us.

     I know that cherry blossoms are adored around the world, and rightly so, but a crabapple (genus Malus) gives it serious competition in my opinion.

     When a male Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) sings in ardent exultation his whole body vibrates with the intensity of the song.

     Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of the most common residents of the marsh.

Red-winged Blackbird ♂

Red-winged Blackbird ♀

     Spotted Pink Lady Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) was very prolific.

     An Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) concentrated on darting out to capture every passing insect.

     I have enjoyed a few memorable meals in equally memorable restaurants over the course of my life, but sometimes a picnic in the field is the very best of all.

     There are many attractive areas within this sprawling complex.

     A Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) flitted around us for a while and finally rested briefly on the ground.

     Not a great picture, but it was the best we could do.

     Guelder-Rose (Viburnum opulus) is flourishing.

     Maples (genus Acer) draped across a wetland is an iconic Canadian image it seems to me.

     Bur-Reeds (genus Sparganium) are lovely on the water.

     The blossoms of Plums, Cherries and Allies (genus Prunus) are very attractive and auger well for autumn food for a range of species.

     The fruit of Virginia Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) will probably be gobbled up as fast as it ripens.

     A Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta) is quite common at this time of year.

     A Northern Azure (Celastrina lucia) repeatedly landed in front of us, but steadfastly refused to open its wings!

Nomad Bee (genus Nomada)

      There is a quite grand viewing stand at one location in the preserve that always seems oddly positioned to me.

     It is set quite far back from the wetland, at the edge of the parking area in fact, and offers less than optimal viewing. I have never seen this platform used.

     Perhaps at one time the terrain was configured differently. 

     White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) is migrating through southwestern Ontario at this time of year, and it was a great pleasure to encounter a small group of them.

     Miriam saw a conjoined pair of dragonflies moving by at speed. I noticed where they landed and pointed the camera in that direction, unable to actually see the insects. The picture, however, reveals that they are Common Green Darners (Anax junius).

     Sometimes you get lucky!

     Here is a type of bee in the subfamily Halictinae - Sweat and Furrow Bees.

     Globetails (genus Sphaerophoria) are very attractive insects.

Nomad Bees (genus Nomada)

Golden Sweat Bee (Augochlorella aurata)

     A drake Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) was swimming in the same area where we had seen it just days earlier.

     It was joined by a Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors), also present on our previous visit.

     And to complete a hat trick the Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) was present, too.

     The number thirteen has always been associated with pleasant events in our life, so Miriam pointed out that I should have parked in that spot.

     I think she was right. She often is!