Here and There

I was out at Fanshawe Lake and walking along Thames River this week.  Feeling early signs of Spring...warmer temperatures and most of the snow has melted.  It was so nice to see two Eastern Bluebirds, one of my favorite birds.

Early migrants - Tundra Swans

It's always nice to see American Robins.

I saw 2 Muskrats on the ice on a nice sunny day early in the week.

I think this is a Red Fox.  I thought it might be a Coyote...a good size.  It was standing looking at me a distance away...I was getting my camera ready and it turned around and walked away.  I just got the back end.  It was a beautiful animal!

Wandering Areas in London

Week of July 3, 2022

I thought this was a funny picture....I've never seen a Great Blue Heron on top of a large pine tree.

I'm noticing a lot of swallows around with recent fledged young.  Here are some Northern Rough-winged Swallows waiting for food.  

I was far away when I took this fuzzy photo. There was something medium size at the top of a large dead tree.  Being far away, I could not identify it until I enlarged it on my computer at home.  A Belted Kingfisher.

I don't see Red Fox often.  This one was at the other side of a pasture.  I found it when I was scanning with my bins.  Very nice looking fox and it looks healthy.

At Medway Valley Heritage Forest, London ESA

Belted Kingfisher

Osprey

Bog Walk

Sifton Bog - Thursday, June 27, 2019

I went for a walk this morning to see what was around in the bog.  The birds I saw were Song Sparrows singing, Red-winged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, American Goldfinches, American Robins, a Mallard, a Turkey Vulture flew over, a Baltimore Oriole, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Doves, Common Grackles, Northern Cardinals, and some House Sparrows.

I was concentrating more on looking for dragonflies and butterflies.  I saw a few Dot-tailed Whitefaces around.  I didn't see any butterflies. 

Dot-tailed Whiteface

Lots of the Pond Lilies are up and some are blooming. 

I found a little group of Painted turtles. 

Painted Turtles

Leatherleaf

The Green Frogs were croaking away. 

Green Frog

I found some lovely orchids.

Rose Pogonia

Tuberous Grass-Pink

Yellow Pond Lily

On my way back, I went down a little trail to the swamp area. I was looking at a Mallard when I saw movement behind the tree trunks.  I didn't have my camera ready and I couldn't believe it....a Red Fox came out in the open...my lovely blurry photo below.

Then he sauntered away into the low shrubbery.  I managed a couple more photos.