Gray catbird
Gray catbird perched in the treetops at the edge of the Rideau River, June 30, 2013. The gray catbird is so named because of its call that sounds like a cat meowing. You can usually hear the call of the gray catbird in shrubs and wooded areas near bodies of water. If you meow back at a catbird, often it will respond and show itself.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey
Mallard ducklings
Hen mallard with a brood of newly hatched ducklings on the pond next to the Rideau River, June 20, 2013.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey
Green heron
After seeing a pair of green herons on the pond next to the Rideau River where I photographed ducks, turtles, red-winged blackbirds over the past several weeks, one of the herons was good enough to pose for me at last on June 18, 2013.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey
Eastern kingbird viewed while out for a run with Hera, my friend Jason Quinn and his dog Nos, June 17, 2013. The eastern kingbird is a plucky species of flycatcher common in the area. I see a few mated pairs every spring nesting in shrubs along the Rideau River. They are usually successful at rearing their broods as they mount a spirited defense of their nest and young, driving away crows especially. The often perch on the wires in the background, watching for the insects on which they prey, snatching them out of the air.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey
Toad hatched this spring. Found in the grass next to the Rideau River, May 25, 2013.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey
Video of a trumpeter swan seen on a marsh pond near Spencerville, Ontario, May 20, 2013.
Video shot by Jason Quinn
Yellow warbler viewed in a mixed habitat of shrubs and meadow next to the Rideau River, May 20, 2013.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey
Female red-winged blackbird on her nest in the reeds at the edge of a pond next to the Rideau River, May 18, 2013.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey.
Bachelor drakes hanging out together on a pond next to the Rideau River May 16, 2013. Their work is done, the hens they bred are incubating clutches of eggs and will be raising the broods of ducklings on their own.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey.
There were several, as many as 18, painted turtles hanging out on this log on May 13, 2013. It was an unusually cool day. I am guessing the turtles huddle together on colder days in an effort to conserve their body heat.
Photographed and posted by Geoffrey
Geoffrey & Mika 