Barred Owl - near Fergus, Ontario

                                             Photo by Stephanie Asbury Verspagen

My neice Stephanie Asbury Verspagen recently took this Barred Owl photo near her home, close to Fergus, Ontario.   These beautiful owls are not commonly seen and are always a treat to see up close.   They are usually nocturnal and their daytime roosts are generally well hidden,  but they are more likely to be heard in the daytime than other owls.   They are easily flushed and don't tolerate close approach.  Seen at right, is a picture of a 'Barred' that I took near King City Ontario, a few years ago.

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BarrytheBirder

 

Big woodpecker...

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

Pileated Woodpecker

(Dryocopus pileatus)

16 1/2" long!

This is the largest woodpecker now generally seen across Canada 

and in the eastern United States.   Look for the long rectangular 

or oval holes it excavates.

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BarrytheBirder

American Tree Sparrow

(Spizella arborea)

The American Tree Sparrow winters in weedy fields, marshes and groves of small trees.  Juvenile and winter birds are buffier than in other seasons of the year.   In the winter adults, the rufous crowns are obscured by grey and buff edges, sometimes forming a central stripe.

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Photos by Barry Wallace

Cold Cardinal - hot colour

 

Photos by BarrytheBirder

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BarrytheBirder

Vancouver Island eagle...

Photos by Dave Kemp

Challenging wave action

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BarrytheBirder

Year-end on Vancouver Island...

Photos by Dave Kemp

 Trumpeter Swan - ready for take-off

Young Bald Eagle

Vancouver Island sunset

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BarrytheBirder