Owling in Ontario, February 3-6, 2005

This temporary trip gallery presents a small selection of the images which I captured on a trip to southeastern Ontario from February 3rd through 6th. Five of us were led by Tom Hince, an expert Canadian birder from near Point Pelee; we have previously birded with him there (see the Resources page). The main goal of the trip was to see unusual wintering owls, and we succeeded spectacularly. We saw one boreal owl, three snowy owls, two hawk owls, and fifty (50) great grey owls. Other hard-to-see species include back-backed wood pecker, spruce grouse, and grey partridge, and there are also more or less satisfactory shots of barred owl, boreal chickadee, and gray jay, among others.

Click on an image to see a larger version–captions give further details, including approximate locations

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Common Goldeneye, female (just off Lake Ontario, east of Toronto) American Tree Sparrow, east of Toronto (same location as the barred owl) Grey partridges (the erect, more visible birds are clearly males). West of Ottawa. Spruce Grouse, male. We were delighted to find this bird, which is not easy to see, at best. Algonquin Provincial Park. Spruce Grouse, male. We were delighted to find this bird, which is not easy to see, at best. Algonquin Provincial Park. Black-backed woodpecker (female)--terribly back-lit. Another bird we were thrilled to find--near the spruce grouse, in Algonquin Provincial Park. Downy woodpecker, male--these were quite common on the trip. Grey jay, in Algonquin Provincial Park. Virtually all the jays in the park have been banded and studied for some two decades, by a single dedicated individual. Grey jay, in Algonquin Provincial Park. Virtually all the jays in the park have been banded and studied for some two decades, by a single dedicated individual. Grey jays, in Algonquin Provincial Park. Virtually all the jays in the park have been banded and studied for some two decades, by a single dedicated individual. Black-capped chickadee--omnipresent on the trip. Boreal Chickadee, in Algonquin Provincial Park. We saw some half-dozen, but only high in evergreens; this was literally the only shot I managed. Red-breasted Nuthatch, in Algonquin Provincial Park. We had a fair number during the trip. Pine grosbeak (female), in Algonquin Provincial Park. We saw several of this species. Pine grosbeak (male), in Algonquin Provincial Park. We saw several of this species. A panorama from the Visitor Center at Algonquin Provincial Park The white birches were often stunning. Algonquin Provincial Park A view heading west from Ottawa, on the morning of 5 February. We were extremely fortunate with the weather--mostly clear, ranging from the low 20s to the mid 30s. Tom's two trips in the two previous weeks encountered temperatures as much as 40 degrees fahrenheit lower! A nice scene on the final day, south of Huntsville. A fun scene on the eastern border of Algonquin Provincial Park, with my wife, Marylee Bomboy. Barred owl, east of Toronto (same location as the tree sparrow) The closest of the three snowy owls which we saw. Between Kingston and Ottawa. Northern Hawk Owl (the first of two). West of Ottawa. Northern Hawk Owl (the second of two). South of Huntsville, on the final day. Both Hawk Owls had been seen in specific locations for some time. Northern Hawk Owl (the second of two). South of Huntsville, on the final day. Both Hawk Owls had been seen in specific locations for some time. Boreal Owl, on Amherst Island, south of Kingston. A marvellous look! Great Grey Owl. Morning of the final day, south of Huntsville. Great Grey Owl. On the afternoon of the second day, when we were blessed with wonderful light. Great Grey Owl. On the afternoon of the second day, when we were blessed with wonderful light. I must confess that our leader brought along a small supply of mice, to supplement the owls' diet. Great Grey Owl. On the afternoon of the second day, when we were blessed with wonderful light. I must confess that our leader brought along a small supply of mice, to supplement the owls' diet. Great Grey Owl. On the afternoon of the second day, when we were blessed with wonderful light. I must confess that our leader brought along a small supply of mice, to supplement the owls' diet. Great Grey Owl. On the afternoon of the second day, when we were blessed with wonderful light. I must confess that our leader brought along a small supply of mice, to supplement the owls' diet. Great Grey Owl. On the afternoon of the second day, when we were blessed with wonderful light. I must confess that our leader brought along a small supply of mice, to supplement the owls' diet. Great Grey Owl. On the afternoon of the second day, when we were blessed with wonderful light. Great Grey Owl. Late on the afternoon of the second day.

Bird Photographs by John Van de Graaff