A couple of swans swimming in the golden light of dawn and the Hespeler Mill Pond. #swan #birdphotography #hespeler #gripskw #sonyalpha #a6700 #cambridge

A couple more swans from the Hespeler Mill Pond #swan #birdphotography #gripskw #hespeler #ontario #speedriver

Swans are definitely my favourite birds to photograph. #gripskw #swans #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #cambridge

A Great Blue Heron catching the early morning light by the Hespeler dam this May. Watching these birds hunt in the rushing water is always impressive. #GreatBlueHeron #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #HespelerOntario #CambridgeON #NatureShots #BirdingLife #ExploreOntario #SonyA6700

An American Robin perched in the soft morning light by the Hespeler dam in Ontario. Early mornings always seem to bring the calmest moments for bird photography. #AmericanRobin #BirdPhotography #CambridgeOntario #OntarioPhotography #WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #SonyAlpha #SonyA6700

Another Wood Duck photo from Mud Lake. #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #sonyalpha #a6700 #sel70350g #ottawa

I will never get tired of taking photos of Wood Ducks. #naturephotography #birdphotography #woodduck #mudlake #gripskw #a6700 #sel70350 #sonyalpha

Perched atop an old grain silo in Breslau, this Turkey Vulture surveyed the land like it owned the place… and honestly, it might. #turkeyvulture #gripskw #sonyalpha #a6700 #sel70350g

Testing the acoustics of spring before the leaves show up, this song sparrow was practicing for Canadian Idol.

Is there a more terrifying creature in Canada. Clearly he is deciding if I am either a threat... or lunch. #gripskw #sonyalpha #a6700 #CanadaGoose

My local photography group visited the @cambridgebutterflyconservatory this morning. My macro skills still need some practice, but the subjects were absolutely incredible to photograph. #butterflyconservatory #cambridge #gripskw #a6700 #sonyalpha

It’s been a few weeks since I last got out with the camera, but with temperatures finally creeping back toward freezing, I took advantage of the milder air. Chickadees and Northern Cardinals kept me company along the trail. #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #ontario #notherncardinal #chicadee

This male Hairy Woodpecker can be identified by its bold black-and-white pattern, long bill, and red patch on the back of the head. #hairywoodpecker #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #ontario #canadianwildlife #woodpecker #a6700 #sonyalpha

A rare winter Virginia Rail in Southern Ontario. I respect the resolve to stay put and boycott the USA, but when the marsh freezes and temperatures plunge toward −20°C, it may need to reconsider migration. #virginiarail #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #ontario #sonyalpha #a6700 #canadastrong

Another Tree Sparrow. Cute little bird to keep me satisfied until spring. #treesparrow #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #ontariowildlife #ontariobirds #winter #sonyalpha #a6700

Still not sure whether this duck waded through paint to look like a Wood Duck.... or is this just a reflection from some bridge graffiti. #graffiti #woodduck #kitchener #grandriver #birdphotography #naturephotography #gripskw #a6700 #sonyalpha

Three Common Goldeneye males in flight. I love the whistling sounds these birds make as they zoom by. #goldeneye #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #ontariowildlife #kitchener #a6700 #sonlyalpha #gripskw

I heard this bush full of tree sparrows before I could see it. About a dozen or so birds taking shelter in the safety behind the sharp thorns. #treesparrow #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #ontariowildlife #ontariobirds #winter #sonyalpha #a6700

Winter has been making it hard to get out. American Tree Sparrows overwinter in Ontario, often lingering in quiet thickets long after most leaves have fallen. #americantreesparrow #birdphotography #ontario #oakleaf #a6700 #sonyalpha #canadianwildlife #winterphotography

Male Common Goldeneyes migrate through Southern Ontario every winter. Their sharp black-and-white plumage, yellow eyes, and circular cheek patch are key ID features. #CommonGoldeneye #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #CanadianBirds #a6700 #SonyAlpha #GRIPSKW

Caught this male Common Merganser down at the Grand River today in the snow. #commonmerganser #birdphotography #canadianwildlife #wildlifephotography #grandriver #kitchener #ontario #gripskw #a6700 #sonyalpha #winterbirds

Even in winter rain, the Gardens of Versailles are still breathtaking. . #Versailles #PalaceOfVersailles #GardensOfVersailles #FranceTravel #VisitFrance #ParisDayTrip #EuropeTravel #TravelPhotography #LandscapePhotography #SonyAlpha #A6700 #GRIPSKW

Wildlife meets architecture — a Great Cormorant spreading its wings on the Seine, right beside the Musée d’Orsay. . #Cormorant #paris #wildlifephotography #sonyalpha #a6700 #gripskw

Of course I found swans in France. You know I can’t resist. This one at Versailles was striking a full royal pose. . #MuteSwan #CygnusOlor #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #BirdWatching #NatureLovers #SwanPhotography #BirdsOfEurope #Waterbirds #gripskw #a6700 #sonyalpha #SEL70350G

Swans drifting through a river of gold at Hespeler Mill Pond. . #trumpeterswans #goldenhourmagic #sunsetglow #hespelermillpond #cambridgeontario #ontariobirds #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #waterfowlphotography #natureperfection #canadianwildlife #birdlovers #sonyalpha #a6700 #sel70350g

Sunset with swans just hits different. . #sunsetphotography #goldenhour #swans #trumpeterswans #ontariobirds #ontariowildlife #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #canadianwildlife #hespelermillpond #cambridgeontario #gripskw #sonyalpha #sonyimages #a6700

A little science with your swan content: tags like Y66 allow researchers to study migration routes and population health. The Trumpeter Swan Society encourages anyone who sees a tagged swan to report it. #trumpeterswan #thetrumpeterswansociety #birdphotography #sonyalpha #a6700

I never get tired of seeing Trumpeter Swans up close. That long neck and jet-black bill are a giveaway—plus their size is impossible to miss. #trumpeterswan #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #canadianwildlife #hespelermillpond #cambridgeontario #naturephotography #sonyalphaA6700 #GRIPSKW

This swan clearly multiclassed into Wizard… those are definitely spell gestures. #trumpeterswan #ontariobirds #birdphotography #birdsofontario #naturephotography #canadianwildlife #cambridgeontario #hespelermillpond #grandriverontario #ontariowild #sonyalpha #a6700

The largest native waterfowl in North America, the trumpeter swan, captured mid-migration. Wingspans up to 10 feet, yet they move with incredible precision. #trumpeterswans #migrationseason #ontariowildlife #CambridgeON #HespelerMillPond #birdphotography #naturecanada #sonyalpha #a6700 #GRIPSKW

Family meeting at the pond: “Stay close.” “Yes, Mom.” “And remember — no splashing near the photographer.” Taken at Hespeler Mill Pond this fall. #HespelerMillPond #CambridgeOntario #TrumpeterSwan #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers #NaturePhotography #CanadaWildlife #SonyAlpha

Juvenile Trumpeter Swans like this one keep their gray feathers for nearly a year before molting into white. Caught this one enjoying the last mild days of fall at Hespeler Mill Pond. #HespelerMillPond #CambridgeOntario #TrumpeterSwan #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #sonyalpha #a6700

I waded into the freezing water at Hespeler Mill Pond to get this shot. Couldn’t feel my feet afterward… so I went straight to the store and bought rubber boots. The swan won this round. #HespelerMillPond #CambridgeOntario #TrumpeterSwan #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #sonyalpha #a6700

You go out hoping for that perfect wildlife shot… and a garbage can steals the composition. At least the Sandhill Cranes and geese look phenomenal. #HespelerMillPond #CambridgeOntario #SandhillCranes #BirdPhotography #ConservationMatters #WildlifeOntario #BirdingOntario #sonyalpha #a6700

Dad demonstrating how big the fish was… and the kid isn’t buying it. Trumpeter Swans are the largest waterfowl in North America, with wingspans up to 8 feet. #HespelerMillPond #CambridgeOntario #TrumpeterSwans #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #CanadianWildlife #sonyalpha #a6700 #gripskw

A burst of gold at Huron Natural Area. That huge bump on the trunk is a burl, a tree's way of sealing off stress or injury. Nature doesn’t hide its scars; it turns them into art. #HuronNaturalArea #KitchenerOntario #NaturePhotography #FallVibes #SonyAlpha #OntarioWildPhoto #a6700

Cobra chicken migration season. Thousands of Canada Geese are moving through our region this fall. This one is stopping on the Grand River to fuel up before heading south. #CanadaGoose #CobraChicken #BirdPhotography#grandriver #WildlifePhotography #BirdWatching #NaturePhotography #sonyalpha #a6700

Sharing branches with the nuthatches today. The Dark-eyed Juncos have arrived at Huron Natural Area. #DarkEyedJunco #Junco #OntarioBirds #HuronNaturalArea #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #WildlifePhotography #NatureOntario #OntarioNature #BackyardBirds #Birding #sonyalpha #a6700

Caught this European Starling posing at Snyder Flats. Their fall plumage looks like someone splattered them with tiny stars. . #SnyderFlats #EuropeanStarling #Starling #BirdPhotography #OntarioBirds #WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #FallBirds #KitchenerWaterloo #sonyalpha #a6700

Spotted this Rusty Blackbird at Huron Natural Area earlier this week. Populations of this bird have dropped 85% so glad to have captured this image. #rustyblackbird #birdphotography #canadianwildlife #wildlifephotography #huronnaturalarea #a6700 #sonyalpha #gripskw

Near Peterborough, the maples were at their peak, and this robin paused just long enough for one perfect moment in the setting sun. #AmericanRobin #OntarioBirds #FallColours #PeterboroughOntario #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #WildlifePhotography #AutumnLight #OntarioWildPhoto #SonyAlpha #A6700

As fall settles in, the chorus of birds grows quieter each week. But these yellowlegs are still here, hopping gracefully from rock to rock along the river. #LesserYellowlegs #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #WildlifePhotography #SonyAlpha #A6700 #GrandRiver #OntarioBirds #Shorebirds

One hell of a sunrise yesterday morning!!! #sunrise #fall #kitchener #gripskw

The smell of salt air, the hum of waves, and one bird gliding through the golden light. Missing those mornings out east. #EastCoast #AtlanticCanada #cormorant #SunrisePhotography #NaturePhotography #BirdSilhouette #Seascape #OntarioWildPhoto #SonyAlpha #A6700 #CanadianWildlife #GRIPSKW

The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America, but it’s one of the most common sights in Ontario forests. You’ll often hear them before you see them. #DownyWoodpecker #OntarioWildlife #NaturePhotography #WildlifePhotography #BirdingOntario #SonyAlpha #A6700 #gripskw

Morning light glints off a Cedar Waxwing as it flicks its tongue over a freshly picked berry. #CedarWaxwing #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #OntarioWildlife #SonyAlpha #A6700 #NaturePhotography #gripskw

Caught mid-thought. This black squirrel looked like it had just remembered where it hid its last acorn. #BlackSquirrel #WildlifePhotography #OntarioWildlife #NaturePhotography #Kitchener #SonyAlpha #A6700 #WildOntario #GRIPSKW

The American Mink is a sleek little predator that thrives along Ontario’s rivers. Mostly nocturnal I’ve been challenged to spot one for months, and Saturday morning, luck finally struck. #WildlifePhotography #AmericanMink #GrandRiver #OntarioWildlife #NaturePhotography #WildOntario #SonyAlpha #A6700

Last two photos from my encounter with the hawk last week. What a magical moment with an amazing bird. . #RedTailedHawk #Hawk #BirdsofPrey #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #Ontario #Kitchener #CanadaWildlife #CanadianNature #SonyAlpha #A6700 #GRIPSKW #HuronNaturalArea

Sure, we’ve all heard of solar and lunar eclipses… but have you ever seen a hawk eclipse? . #RedTailedHawk #Hawk #BirdsofPrey #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #Ontario #Kitchener #CanadaWildlife #CanadianNature #SonyAlpha #A6700 #GRIPSKW #HuronNaturalArea