NORTHERN RIVER Images

Digging into some images from a few months ago, I thought I would share one of my favourite Sparrows, the Vesper. It is a medium-sized songbird found across much of Canada and the northern United States. In Ontario, it can be seen in open fields, grasslands, pastures, hayfields, and other areas with short, sparse vegetation. It returns to Ontario in spring to breed after spending winter farther south. One unique feature is its colour pattern. Its body is mostly brown with dark streaks, but it has a thin white ring around its eye, a pale cheek, and white outer tail feathers that are especially noticeable when it flies. A small chestnut-coloured patch on its shoulder is another identifying feature, although it can be difficult to see. The Vesper Sparrow has an unusual name because it often sings during the evening twilight, or “vespers.” Its song is a series of clear whistles followed by musical trills. Males commonly sing from fence posts, shrubs, or other elevated perches. Vesper Sparrows build their nests on the ground, usually in a shallow depression hidden beside or underneath grass, branches, or other vegetation. The female makes a small cup from grasses, sedges, moss, and bark. A nest usually contains 2–6 eggs, which are whitish with brown or purplish markings. Incubation lasts about 11–14 days. The young hatch helpless and covered with only sparse down. Both parents help care for them, and the chicks normally leave the nest after about 7–14 days. Vesper Sparrows may raise one to three broods during a breeding season. A fascinating fact is that Vesper Sparrows are ground foragers. They scratch through soil and grass to uncover seeds, insects, and spiders. They also sometimes take dust baths to clean their feathers.🙂

I'm going back a few months... in April, Ospreys are returning to Ontario, and a pair on an old nest can look surprisingly busy even before there are eggs. For the female, this is the beginning of the serious nesting routine. She spends time inspecting the nest, rearranging sticks, and adding fresh material. A nest that survived the winter may need considerable repair. She may tug at a branch, settle into the nest cup, and call to her mate as he arrives with another piece of nesting material. The male has a different job, and one of his most important contributions is food. Ospreys are specialist fish-eaters, and during the pre-breeding period the male may spend much of his time hunting. He leaves the nest, searches the water from above, then plunges feet-first toward a fish. When successful, he returns carrying the catch in his talons. What happens next can be fascinating to watch. The male may deliver the fish to the nest, where the female takes it and begins feeding. Sometimes she eats immediately; at other times, the pair's interactions around the food are more complicated. These deliveries help establish the male's ability to provide and strengthen the pair bond before egg-laying. Meanwhile, both birds defend the nest and its surroundings. Ospreys can be surprisingly vocal, especially when another osprey approaches. Courtship displays, aerial chases, nest repairs, and fish deliveries can make an April nest seem constantly active. Watching two ospreys together at this time of year is therefore about more than simply seeing a pair of birds. It is the opening chapter of another breeding season: one bird investing heavily in the nest, the other bringing in fish, and both preparing for the demanding weeks ahead. In Ontario, April offers a wonderful chance to watch this partnership take shape> One stick and one fish at a time.🙂

The Eastern Phoebe is a small, charming songbird that is a familiar sight across Ontario, especially around farms, gardens, woodlands, and open areas. With its simple brown-and-white colouring and constantly bobbing tail, this bird may not look flashy, but its behaviour and distinctive call make it easy to recognize. Eastern Phoebes are territorial birds. A breeding pair will defend an area around their nesting site from other Phoebes and potential competitors. They often choose nesting locations on ledges, buildings, cliffs, and, quite famously, under bridges. Bridges provide sheltered surfaces that protect their nests from rain and predators while remaining close to open feeding areas. The Eastern Phoebe's diet consists mainly of insects. It frequently waits from a perch, then flies out to catch insects in mid-air before returning to the same or another nearby perch. It also eats spiders and other small invertebrates. During colder months or when insects are scarce, Phoebes may supplement their diet with small fruits and berries. The bird's name comes from its distinctive call. Its repeated, raspy “fee-bee” or “fee-bee” song is one of the easiest ways to identify it, even when the bird is hidden among trees or vegetation. The call also explains the common name “Phoebe,” which has been used for this group of flycatchers for centuries.🙂

The September blog post has arrived.

Chasing Light and Life — Northern River Images There are mornings when I step outside with my camera and instantly know the seasons are changing. It isn't because the calendar tells me so, but because the air feels different. There's a freshness that wasn't there just a few weeks ago. Summer hasn't quite left us, but it's beginning to whisper it

The Indigo Bunting is one of Ontario’s most striking summer songbirds. In August, these small birds can still be found across much of the province, especially in open fields, woodland edges, roadsides, and areas of regenerating forest. Their presence adds a flash of brilliant blue to the late-summer landscape. Male Indigo Buntings are especially impressive during the breeding season. Their plumage appears a rich, vivid blue in bright sunlight, although the colour can look darker or more violet in shade. Females and young birds are generally brownish, with subtle streaking that helps them blend into vegetation. By August, Indigo Buntings are often still defending or using breeding territories, although their behaviour begins to change as the nesting season winds down. Males may continue singing from prominent perches, but their songs can become less frequent. Territories typically include a mixture of shrubs, grasses, and scattered trees, providing suitable places for feeding, nesting, and singing. Indigo Buntings feed mainly on seeds and insects. During August, they take advantage of the abundance of seeds, berries, and insects available in Ontario’s fields and woodland margins. Their varied diet helps them prepare for the demanding migration ahead. As summer progresses, watch for Indigo Buntings along sunny trails and field edges. Their brilliant breeding plumage and distinctive song make them a rewarding species to observe. August offers a particularly interesting opportunity to see these beautiful birds as they transition from the breeding season toward their fall migration.🙂

The August blog post has arrived.

August In Algonquin — Northern River Images August in Algonquin Park is one of the most rewarding times of the year to experience Ontario's wilderness. Summer has reached its peak, the forests are rich with vibrant shades of green, and the park's countless lakes reflect warm sunlight from dawn until dusk.

We were pleasantly entertained by the boldness of this bird. He approached us in Algonquin within steps. I’ve never had this guy so close. The White-throated Sparrow is a familiar sight and sound across Ontario during June, when these beautiful songbirds arrive on their breeding grounds or continue migrating through the province. Found in forests, woodland edges, parks, and shrubby areas, they are a favorite among birdwatchers because of their distinctive appearance and memorable song. June is one of the best times to observe their natural behaviors as they establish territories and prepare for nesting. The White-throated Sparrow spends much of its day foraging on the ground. Using both feet, it scratches through leaf litter in search of seeds, insects, spiders, and berries. As spring progresses in Ontario, insects become more abundant, providing an important food source for adults and, later, their young. Although these Sparrows prefer feeding on the forest floor, they will also forage in low shrubs and small trees when food is readily available. One of the highlights of spring in Ontario is hearing the song of the White-throated Sparrow. Its clear, whistled tune is often remembered by the phrase "Oh-sweet-Canada-Canada." Males sing frequently throughout May to defend nesting territories and attract mates. Their melodic whistles carry through northern forests and mixed woodlands, making the species one of Ontario's most recognizable spring songbirds. The White-throated Sparrow's plumage is equally distinctive. Adults have a bright white throat, bold black-and-white striped head, and a small patch of yellow between the eye and the bill. Some birds display tan-and-brown head stripes instead of white, but both colour morphs are common in Ontario. Their gray breast and brown-streaked back provide effective camouflage while foraging among leaves and forest debris. Whether you're hiking through an Ontario forest or visiting a local park in June, the White-throated Sparrow offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy spring birdlife. Its energetic foraging, beautiful song, and striking plumage make it one of the province's most cherished woodland birds. 🙂

The July blog post has arrived.

Tripping into the Interior — Northern River Images Long daylight hours, warm water, lush forests, and active wildlife make July an appealing time to explore lakes and rivers. Whether you're paddling down a quiet river corridor, or venturing into a remote wilderness area, July offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor pho

Some images from a lifer for me with the female being capturedi in my home town and the male in a city 20 minutes away on two different days. The Summer Tanager is one of North America's most striking songbirds, bringing vibrant colour and cheerful songs to woodlands and forest edges each spring. Known for its brilliant plumage, this species is often called the only completely red bird found in much of its breeding range. Male Summer Tanagers are especially eye-catching. Their feathers display a rich, rosy-red colour from head to tail, making them easy to recognize during the breeding season. Females, however, wear a more subtle appearance. Their plumage ranges from olive-yellow to mustard-yellow, providing excellent camouflage while nesting and caring for young. Each spring, Summer Tanagers undertake a remarkable migration. They spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, and parts of northern South America before travelling north to breeding grounds across the southern and eastern United States. As temperatures warm and insects become plentiful, these birds arrive ready to establish territories and raise families. Nesting typically occurs in open woodlands, pine forests, and areas with scattered trees. Females build shallow cup-shaped nests from grasses, twigs, and other plant materials, usually placing them on horizontal branches high above the ground. A typical clutch contains three to five eggs, which the female incubates while the male helps defend the territory. Summer Tanagers are skilled insect hunters and are particularly famous for catching bees and wasps in mid-air. Before eating these insects, they carefully remove the stinger by rubbing the prey against a branch. Their diet also includes beetles, caterpillars, and various fruits later in the season. With their brilliant colours, fascinating migration journeys, and dedicated nesting habits, Summer Tanagers are a welcome sign of spring and summer. Birdwatchers eagerly await their return each year, knowing that these colourful visitors add beauty and life to the landscapes they inhabit. 😊

May is an exciting time for black bears in Ontario, especially in and around Algonquin Provincial Park. After spending the winter in their dens, Black Bears emerge from hibernation hungry and ready to begin feeding. Months of inactivity have depleted their fat reserves, making spring a critical period for finding food. During May, Black Bears feed on a variety of fresh vegetation, including grasses, leaves, buds, and other emerging plants. They may also search for insects, carrion, and other available food sources as they work to regain lost weight. As temperatures warm and food becomes more abundant, Bears spend much of their day foraging. For female Bears, May can be a particularly important month. Cubs born during the winter denning period are now several months old and beginning to explore the world outside the den. Mothers remain highly protective, guiding their cubs to feeding areas and teaching them essential survival skills. As the season progresses, family groups may begin to spend more time apart. Older cubs from previous litters can become separated from their mothers as they gain independence. This natural process helps young Bears establish their own territories and develop the skills needed to survive on their own. Visitors to Algonquin may occasionally spot Black Bears during spring. Observing a Bear in its natural habitat can be a memorable experience, but it is important to keep a safe distance and never approach or feed wildlife. May marks the beginning of an active season. From feeding after hibernation to raising cubs and preparing young Bears for independence, this month plays a vital role in the annual life cycle. The highlight of this experience was observing the Mom (single image) and two cubs, but also a single year female now on her own having been spurned by her Mom.🙂