T.O. Backyard – Road Trip!

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A stunning male Pronthonotary Warbler at Rondeau Provincial Park.

Rob and I took off on a four day, three night birding road trip during the height of Spring migration here in Ontario. From May 8th to 11th, we visited three of our favorite spots in southern Ontario; Hillman Marsh, Rondeau Provincial Park, and the world renowned, Point Pelee National Park.

We had a fantastic time! It had been a few years since we had been in the area, and it was wonderful to experience it again. We saw close to 100 species, and enjoyed the many birding friend sightings we had as well as the birds.

Rob took close to a thousand pics, and it was hard to pick a few to share in what is going to be more of a picture blog. I hope you enjoy the pictures I chose to share, as they may of made it to this blog because of the memory more so than picture quality.

All photos by Rob Mueller unless otherwise stated. Enjoy!

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My first warbler sighting, a beautiful Palm Warbler. Hillman Marsh

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This White-crowned Sparrow was enjoying a dandelion buffet. Hillman Marsh

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This Bald Eagle was chased right outta the marsh by the determined gull, an interesting sight to witness. Hillman Marsh

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A Black and White Warbler in the shadows. Point Pelee

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A Barn Swallow greeted us at the tip of Point Pelee.

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A Black-throated Green Warbler in the trees. Point Pelee

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A Cape May Warbler along the road side. Point Pelee

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A Blue-winged Warbler was quite cooperative for the photographers. Point Pelee

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The strikingly beautiful male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Point Pelee

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This Kirtland’s Warbler created quite a frenzy in the park. Photo by Dave Iluck.       Point Pelee

Kirtland’s Warblers are rare in the area and we just happened to be in the park the day one was sighted. This was a life bird for both Rob and I, and also our friend Dave, who was standing beside me when he took this picture.  There is a whole story about how this sighting came to be, and if you’d like to read about it, check out my personal blog HERE.

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A Common Nighthawk roosting close to a washroom was quite popular as a photo op. Point Pelee

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Is there anything more beautiful than the call of a Wood Thrush? Point Pelee

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The Wood Thrush looking more at home on the forest floor.  Point Pelee

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Our last sighting in Point Pelee, an Eastern Screech Owl.

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Our first Eastern Bluebird sighting of 2016 was not in an area we expected to see one, a wooded area of Rodeau Provincial Park.

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A pretty male Redstart in Rondeau Provincial Park.

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A Prothonotary Warbler checking out how handsome he is in the pond or maybe he was looking for bugs. Rondeau Provincial Park

I hope you enjoyed our Spring migration picture blog, until next time, good birding!

 

5 Comments

  1. Rob and Angie Mueller

    We were impressed with the quality of the photos too, Rob wasn’t sure what his setting were, he just kept clicking! LOL!

  2. Rob and Angie Mueller

    Just seeing this now. Thanks so much. 🙂

  3. Fabulous photos. Love that Prothonotary Warbler! Thanks for sharing your birding trip.

  4. Read your story about the Kirtland’s Warbler: an inspiring tale of love and friendship! (Good title for a novel?)

  5. Wow! Those photos are amazing! Love the gull with the eagle, especially!

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