It's Been a Bit...

So, it's been a bit since I last wrote. I am still feeling like I have some sort of writer's block. This year, we have decided to spend as much time on the weekends through April and May to go "birding" along with the odd weekday afternoon... which also doesn't help the whole blogging.

Also with my blog, I have a preference to use my own photos with the blog. There's nothing wrong with using images borrowed from Google, I give credit where credit is due... never letting anyone think a photo is mine when it is not. So, while seeing lots, the photos just haven't been there. A dull sky doesn't help. A small hopping bird who seldom sits still is another factor. It's something I have to work out in my own mind.

You might be asking what have I seen? Lots! A number of new species including a few Warblers. Who knew there was so many birds in the GTA? It blows my mind! I can see why Warblers are more difficult to spot/identify/watch/admire/photograph... they just don't sit still for very long and are quite small.

I think the highlight for the last few weeks has been the sightings of more than a couple Scarlet Tanagers. This is a bird Angie and I have hoped to see since we started noticing the birds about 5 years ago. So, for 5 years, we never saw one. Mind you, we never truly went out with the purpose to find one, we would just go some place and see what we could while we walked the trails. In the past week I have seen 4 Tanagers (3 males, 1 female) in three different locations. How cool is that? Why all of a sudden? I have no answer to that.

Last year we saw our first Rose Breasted Grosbeak (male) and this year we are finding them in many places much closer than last year's spot. We are finding pairs about Etobicoke.

Last year we saw our first Yellow Warbler. This year we are seeing many in more than one location, once again much closer to home.

Two years ago we had our first pair of Baltimore Orioles and that's pretty much the only Orioles we have ever seen. This year, once again, many have been seen in our travels.

I am sorry for my absence but May is half over now and I plan to slow it right down through the summer... hoping for some great weather to enjoy in the backyard... and to try and share some experiences on here too! I have a few topics rolling around in the back of my mind regarding other things I have seen animal related.

Enjoy the photos below...

A Yellow Warbler I was able to get a photograph of over in Kitchener on May 16th.


A male Baltimore Oriole at Smythe Park... minutes from my house on May 2nd.


A male Rose Breasted Grosbeak from Col. Sam Smith park on May 5th.




A male Scarlet Tanager from High Park on May 15th. The dreary skies sure didn't help me and the camera with this stunning bird.




Another Yellow Warbler from Marie Curtis Park, same dreary day of May 15th.


Thanks for stopping in, apologies again for my absence... see you all again soon!

Rob