The last bite of winter

It;s been a long time since I posted to my blog. Too long ... I'm getting lazy.

I do have some excuses, I had to go to Nova Scotia for 5 weeks to look after my aging parents and really had no time to go birding. The time spent there was a 'bridge' season - after the winter birds and before the spring migration is in full force. I was back before May - waiting for the Warblers at Prince Edward Point. Let's hope that they do not disappoint.

This winter I actually started taking Landscapes. After resuming photography 4 years ago as a birder, my main objective was to get as many species with as much detail as possible as possible. While I still enjoy this kind of photography, it is starting to get a bit repetitious and I thought that I would take a wide angle lens along. Turns out that some of my favourite photos were winter scenes and I hope to continue through the summer.

This photo of waterfowl at Cobourg Harbour is one of my alltime favourites. A bright sunny winter day, the colours are spectacular.

This winter there were many large ice formations along 'Lighthouse Lane' in Presqu'ile Provincial Park, the most spectacular was this ice bridge.

I have no idea how it formed ... it was just there and somewhat tempting for anyone who is inclined to be a daredevil (or a candidate for a Darwin Award).

The extraordinarily cold winter may give some comfort to the Climate Change deniers who (in their simplistic view) believe that the trajectory to an overheated planet must be a linear one. The cold in North America (and it was confined to North America) was due to a downward shift in the jet stream which allowed the cold polar air mass to extend further into the heart of the continent than normal.

The average global temperature continued to rise - just ask the folks in Australia where every temperature record was broken and we will no doubt resume the pattern of warm winters in Canada.

Another good winter scene was taken at Prince Edward Point where the leafless trees allowed a clear view of the Lighthouse from across the Harbour. It takes a lot of self control not to zoom in close as is my habit when photographing birds. We'll see how my composition and 'rule of thirds' develops over the year.

There were many Mute Swans in the Quinte Area this winter and some of them did not fare too well due to the extremely cold and long winter. This group at Prince Edward Point appeared to be doing just fine.

In contrast with the blue of the landscape shots, this red Cardinal frolicking in the snow provides a different contrast to winter white.

Of course not all endings are happy ones as this European Starling learned in a confrontation with a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Winter birding is mostly defined (for me) by waterfowl and few are as attractive as the Redhead. Although relatively common in early migration their arrival provides a welcome change from the equally attractive but more common Mallard.

The Mallards were mating in Cobourg in March.

And after ...

And what could define this winter better than the Snowy Owls that seemed to be everywhere.

I'm not sure if this guy is making a threat display, or getting ready for bed. I will assume the latter and bid you all adieu as well.