Indigo BuntingThe Indigo Bunting is an early arriving bird and much appreciative of sunflower seeds. It's relatively tame and easy to photograph. Ensure that your not looking at a Blue Grosbeak, larger and less common, or a Lazuli Bunting which is very rare and will make you a hero if you can get a good photograph. The females of Indigo and Lazuli Bunting are similar in appearance. A good camera can obtain excellent photos through clean window glass,...................so keep your windows that overlook feeders squeaky clean. Indigo Bunting
Piping PloverThe Piping Plover is one of our earliest arriving shorebirds, usually appearing in late March and early April. Martinique Beach used to be a reliable place to find them until the dog owners arrived and let their pets run amok. I cannot understand what dog owners are thinking when using the public beach as a dog's latrine! Fortunately most dog walkers are responsible and keep their animals leashed and pick up after them. The hatchlings, photo below, stand out on the beach and are easy targets for gulls. I used to see 20-30 of these wonderful birds along this beach. Now I am lucky to see one. Beware, the beach is closed now due to Covid-19. Piping Plover Hatchling
Male Piping Plover Displaying
Young Piping Plover Recently Banded
American PipitThe American Pipit is one of our earliest arriving and latest leaving birds. It is well known for its tail bobbing and "pipit..pipit" call notes. It is not a shy bird although it will keep its distance. I find it best just to sit on a ocean side rock and wait for them to march by, and they do in time. It often travels in large flocks especially in the fall migration. American Pipit
Compendium of LIghtsNova Scotia has some remarkable lights and lighthouses including the tallest in North America at Cape Sable and the oldest in North America at Sambro Island. I hope some day to travel the lighthouse route and photograph most of them. Compendium of Lights Brier Island North Light
Brier Island Western Light
Cape d'Or Light
Cape Forchu Light
Cape Sable Light
Queensport Light
Sambro Island Light
Fall Colours in Nova ScotiaFall colours are always so cheery. We are lucky in Nova Scotia to have such a nice mix of deciduous and coniferous forests. These photos are from several locations. Some of the best locations close to Halifax are Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park, Smiley's Provincial Park and the Peggy's Cove loop. The Peggy's Cove loop is particularly good for the fall colours of the coastal barrens. Fall Colours of Nova Scotia
Aspotogen PeninsulaIf cabin fever is getting to you then hop into your motorized conveyance and drive the Aspotogan Peninsula loop. Bring your camera and snacks. If you have to refuel be sure to bring rubber gloves. Covid-19 can survive for days on a surface like a gas pump handle. Aspotogen Peninsula
Lincoln's SparrowOur overwintering Lincoln's Sparrows(2) have survived the winter. They pop their heads above their winter home from time to time and look around. They reside in a thick ground clinging ornamental tangle of a shrub. We've tried to remember the name of the shrub but it escapes us. The tangle is so tight I doubt even rain could trickle through to the bottom. Lincoln's Sparrow
Maple Woodlands In FallIf cabin fever is beginning to develop try to think of all those lovely places and things we will all see later in the year like our maple woodlands in fall. Maple Woodlands in Fall
Rose-breasted GrosbeakThe Rose-breasted Grosbeak is stunning bird, male or female. It also knows how to defend itself. I volunteered at a banding station at Lake Winnipeg, some twenty five years ago, and although I did not personally enjoy its ire several of the handlers who were trying to band this bird ended up being bloodied by those mandibles. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is easy to find by song. Its a musical flute like rendition of an American Robin's Song. It sings up high, sings loud and sings for a long time. Unfortunately although wide spread it is hard to find. I've never heard one singing in a boreal forest. It prefers mature deciduous or mixed forests. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Barred OwlI have encountered Barred Owls in our boreal forests in several locations in Nova Scotia. More than once it has surprised me by sitting in a nearby tree and looking at the interloper. It's our most common and wide spread owl and easily identified by its call or dark eyes. The flight as with all owls is completely silent. The Boreal Owl is not shy or aggressive in my experience so once found it is easy to photograph. There are several breeding pairs in the Portuguese Cove, Ketch Harbour to Sambro Head area. Barred Owl
Peggy's Cove CompendiumAs we all sit sequistered in our homes waiting out the covid-19 storm there is ample time to think of good times in Nova Scotia. Laura and I have enjoyed picnics and walkabouts at Peggy's Cove several times. There are wildflowers and orchids on the coastal barrens to enjoy and photograph as well as Peggy's Cove light and the harbour. Since all the city, provincial and national parks are closed now there are limited options for walkabouts and photo shoots. Fortunately I have several places to visit when the migrants return that will have no humans about but me. Peggy's Cove Compendium
Winter's Water and IceWinter brought us a lot of dark and cold yet there was also beauty and tranquility. We saw the eclectic mix of colours, patterns and shapes formed within the light of the dancing rivers, or simply a frozen fall of water,................and yet the peace of a summer pond hidden in the wood awaits us. Winter Water Fall
Perhaps our fishers did not appreciate this magic of ice so much...........
This summer pond waits for us!
Pine WarblerThe Pine Warbler is one of our toughest warblers, arriving early in the migration and leaving late. It has been nesting in Nova Scotia for at least ten years based on my own personal encounters with the bird. It shows nesting behavior early in the season by singing brightly from the tops of mature pine trees. The golden yellow chest of the male is stunning! Pine Warbler
Palm WarblerThe Palm Warbler is our earliest arriving warbler in most years. It song is a musical trill much like Chipping Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. I often confuse the songs early in the year so when I first hear one I check it out with my binoculars. The breeding plumage of the male is stunning. Interestingly in my experience although I hear it singing early in the season it abruptly goes silent as it begins nesting in May. Palm Warbler
Fox SparrowThe Fox Sparrow is one of the earliest migrants. It has a wonderful technique of foraging, vigorously scratching the ground looking for early rising grubs and hibernating insects. It is a handsome bird with a musical song that is easily remembered once heard. We once had one stay at our place for 16 months. Fox Sparrow
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