Painted TrilliumI visited my Painted Trillium patch early again this year with only a few flower heads blooming. The sign at the entrance to the trail, "Warning bear in area", wasn't a motivator. This area in Mount Uniacke Museum Park used to be a favourite of mine until the ticks moved in. It was reliable for Black-backed Woodpecker, Barred Owl, Bay-breasted Warbler, Swainson's Thrush and Eastern wood-Pewee. The overall bird count this year is way down. I suspect that many birds are nesting further north. Painted Trillium
Ovenbird the EncoreThe Ovenbird is a true bird of the deep woods with a haunting song to match. The ground level burrow type nests are near impossible to find, although I have never looked for one. Ovenbird the Encore
OvenbirdI've followed birds for 25 years in Nova Scotia and without a doubt this year has had the slowest migration. Today I found an Ovenbird and a Blue-headed Vireo, both usually early arrivals. That is they should have arrived two weeks ago une masse. I had no luck finding Eastern Wood Pewee in its usual location. June 1 was my date for conducting birding tours since by then most everyone should be back but this year looks to be an exception. The Yellow-lady's Slipper Orchid, Painted Trillium and Ram's Head Orchid should be visible by June 1. Here's Hoping. Ovenbird
Sandhill Cranes and the Perfect TreeThe Sandhill Cranes were a ways off so my little hiking camera struggled to get good definition of these elegant birds. Brown on brown photos don't help much either. The Perfect Tree is starting to leaf out. I will follow its progress and post a collated summary when its in full leaf. Sandhill Cranes and the Perfect Tree
The Perfect TreeEveryone once in a while a normal or mundane thing stands out and becomes epic. In this case a tree, a perfect tree in my opinion. I will return when it is in full leaf to determine its lineage. The Perfect Tree
Middle Point Cove SunsetI checked the evening conditions on the coast and surf was expected. The sunset conditions were good as well with broken cloud on the western horizon, a perfect combination for photographing sunsets. The plan was to photograph the setting sun through exploding surf over the coastal reefs. Great idea, eh? Alas I couldn't line up the reefs with the sunset so there was no joy in Hans land, but the sunset itself was not too bad. Middle Point Cove Sunset
Eastern Bluebird and Pine SiskinThe Eastern Bluebirds disappeared for a time after a rather nasty mid April cold snap but they have returned. The males are starting to brighten up in preparation for attracting and enticing their mates. The Pine Siskin is my Spirit Bird. It was solely responsible for creating my interest in birds and the natural world. The how and why is a story for another time. Eastern Bluebird
I'm hoping the gourds are there to attract Purple Martins, the largest and least common of our swallows, although Tree Swallows have already arrived and are checking out the accommodation.
Pine Siskin, my Spirit Bird
Snowy EgretI must thank two birders for alerting me to the location of this Snowy Egret. It is not a shy bird but this one was flushed by an idiot speeding on a cottage lane. Snowy Egrets are annual regulars and not rare although hard to find at times as they hunker in marshes. Snowy Egret
April Snow in Nova Scotia Part TwoHere are a bunch more photos of Nova Scotia, particularly Halifax in this case, of April Snow. The narrow streets and goofy lot configurations add interest to the snow photos. April Snow in Nova Scotia Part Two
April Snow in Nova Scotia Part OneI've lived year round in four Canadian provinces and Nova Scotia has the worst spring of the four. On the other hand it has the best and longest autumn of the four, so take your pick. Here are a bunch of Nova Scotia April spring photos of snow. April Snow in Nova Scotia Part One
Coastal Diving BirdsRecently, I took a coastal drive to check out our diving birds. There were no surprises. Some posed albeit at a distance whereas others kept their distance and refused to be photographed. Common Eider ....swimming away after they saw me!
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Long-tailed Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2025, The PhotosThese photos were taken just as the solar eclipse was rising about Devil's Island at the entrance to Halifax Harbour. Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2025, The Photos Devils Island
Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2025Laura and I went to Herring Cove Park to photograph the Solar Eclipse. This was a mistake since the sun rose over Devils Island and distorted the images. We had planned to go to Chebucto Head and this would have been the smarter move since there is a unobstructed view over the ocean. This solar eclipse was remarkable since it began exactly at sunrise, likely a solar eclipse that occurs only once in a million years. This is just an estimate folks:) Laura sat intelligently in the truck with her solar glasses while I fumbled around in the dark with a thousand kids and a Song Sparrow celebrating the morning. Some sunrise photos on the next post. My website will not allow video and photos on the same post.
Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2025
Solar eclipse of March 29, 2025
A partial solar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s ascending node (new moon) of orbit on Saturday, March 29, 2025,[1] with a magnitude of 0.9376.[2] A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth. A partial solar eclipse occurred in the polar regions of the Earth when the center of the Moon's shadow misses the Earth. The partial eclipse was visible for parts of the northeastern United States, eastern Canada, Greenland, Europe, Northwest Africa, and northwestern Russia. Eclipse details[edit]Shown below are two tables displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. The first table outlines times at which the moon's penumbra or umbra attains the specific parameter, and the second table describes various other parameters pertaining to this eclipse.[3]
Red-breasted MerganserThe Red-breasted Merganser is a common bird in Nova Scotia. This diver also sports elegant good looks and is always a treat to see. It's shy and will usually drift away when approached or when a car stops nearby. I was lucky with this group and they posed for me. Red-breasted Merganser
Turkey Vultures SoaringWhilst touring the Sambro Loop I happened upon six Turkey Vultures soaring over Sandy Cove's beach. It's a challenge to photograph a black bird against a flat grey sky. Just a few years ago Turkey Vultures were rare to uncommon on the eastern 2/3 of Nova Scotia. Despite the flakes that deny global warming here is the evidence to show it is happening. Turkey Vulture
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