I happened to be sitting on the deck when this Baltimore Oriole made its first visit of the season to my backyard hummingbird feeder, which it prefers to the larger oriole feeder.
First visit.
Tag: migration
Tundra Swans.
Tundra Swans gather by the thousands in the corn- and potato-fields near Grand Bend Ontario as they start their journey to their nesting grounds in the far north.
Were fortunate to be able to detour last weekend to see the swans. It was an overcast day with light snow falling. These two commuted from a field on one side of the road we observed from, to a field on the other side of the road.
Spring is here.
Tundra Swans are on the move. I drove by a field and hundreds were flying, standing, resting.
Spring is here. I’m blessed to witness its arrival.
Heralding
Heralding the arrival of a new day, the approach of autumn, and the approach of migration, a flock of Canada Geese flies across my field of view.
First
Spring is truly here: First sighting this year of a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. It’s been a miserable few days to be a hummingbird – chilly, damp and at times rainy. I’m very happy to be able to help out.
On the move
On a bitter cold day, Canada geese were on the move.
Time to go, to head to better weather.
On the move
Migratory birds are on the move here. Robins are no linger tut-tutting, killdeer are scarce, have not seen or heard orioles and grosbeaks for a while.
On a recent grey and gloomy day, during an outing that took me to the north shore of Lake Erie, I saw this group of Turkey vultures on the move, headed west along the lake shore to the nearest way around the lake instead of over it. Such graceful birds.
Squadron
During a recent trip to Windsor we took the scenic route, travelling on Highway 3. Route 3 rarely strays far from the Lake Erie shore. Since this is migrating season we were privileged to see hundreds of migrating Turkey Vultures including and this squadron of 17 individuals. What graceful birds, swooping, soaring, and riding the wind!
Shy
Tundra Swans, Cygnus columbianus (link to allaboutbirds.org), are majestic, breathtakingly marvellous birds to watch. As they migrate through our part of the world on their way to their breeding ground, many stop and rest in harvested corn fields. When resting they congregate in large flocks that sometimes number in the hundreds or thousands.
They are also wary of humans, flying away when we become too intrusive. I was fortunate to approach within about 100 meters. After taking this photo I withdrew to leave them in peace.
Destination unknown
It is not for me to know where they go. Instead I wonder, dream, visualize. And that is more than enough for me.
previouslytexan 