I’m used to photographing a lot of small birds where we live, so I was hoping to see some bigger ones on our trip to South Africa. This one qualifies! Ostriches can be 9 feet tall, and this male seemed to be well aware of how impressive he looked! #Birds #photography #wildlife

Dung beetles know where they want to go. They roll, push or shove their dung ball & every few seconds they stop pushing to climb on top of the ball to make sure they are going in the right direction. This dung beetle male is just climbing down after a look around. More info in alt text #insects

We’re on our way home after an incredible safari in South Africa! One of the highlights was definitely all the dung beetles! This male has formed a dung ball and is rolling it off away from other males that will try and steal it! More info in the alt text. #insects #photography #wildlife

It was a rainy day and it was amazing. So many cool things, but this I will never forget. The matriarch of this African elephant herd leads them across the river and up the hill in Kruger National Park, South Africa. #Mammal #photography #wildlife

We are on a South African adventure and had the privilege of spending a bit of time with some very well dressed friends. This African Penguin was returning from a quick swim in the ocean and seemed quite happy about it! Listed as a critically endangered species. #Birds #photography #wildlife

It’s been such a warm Fall here, but apparently that’s changing tonight! But for now, we still have a few of the fancy sparrows visiting while they rest up before continuing their journey. One of my favourites is the Harris’s Sparrow and this one was having a good drink! #Birds 🪶

They are almost instantly recognizable, mostly due to having a 9 foot wingspan and being the size of a small car🤣 This white pelican was hanging out with a bunch of cormorants, when it decided it was time to go for a cruise around the lake! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Blue jays live year round here … kind of. They do, but they also take extended vacations through the year to who knows where! We hadn’t seen them in weeks, but they’re back now and making sure everyone heard about it! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

It was a foggy morning, but the sun was starting to peek through. Out of nowhere a large bird appeared, flew low over the marsh grasses, and was gone. This Short-eared Owl was hunting the marsh … a perfect match for the silence of the fog!

It’s back to gracklepalooza! A lot of the grackles have left on their migration, but there are still quite a few hanging around. With his feathers fresh from the summer moult, this male Common Grackle, was foraging in the trees and decided to fly down to the creek for a drink! #Birds 🪶

The fancy sparrows are stopping by on their big trek south, and this morning these two showed up. White-crowned sparrows can winter in the southern U.S. down into Central America. These two decided the creek was for bathing and drinking! Adult in the creek and juvenile on the rock! #Birds 🪶

I can’t help it. The grackles are still here, and need to be photographed 🤣 The male Common Grackles usually take every opportunity to display, especially in the spring! But it’s Fall, and this male was displaying a lot! Apparently, he knows what he looks like🤣 #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Gracklepalooza continues with no signs of slowing! This male Common Grackle was heading over to the tree nearer the creek. It always amazes me how birds fly among tree branches so easily! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

I visited a marsh that I’m familiar with, but hadn’t been to yet this year. The grasses are quite tall and and when this duck took off from a bit of open water, it “disappeared”. But this female mallard soon reappeared, seemingly breaching out of the sea of grasses! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

It hasn’t yet developed the distinctive candy corn yellow beak, but its penchant for hiding in the reeds is well established! This juvenile Sora was foraging, and finally popped out of the reeds for a short look around before zipping back in! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

They are generally lurking in the reeds, and when they are out foraging, they are often wading in the shallows of a marsh. But swimming is an option and this Sora decided it was the fastest and most direct way to get to the next clump of reeds! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

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Gracklepalooza continues with a lot of chaos and chatter. We love it, and we’re not the only ones. Our neighbourhood Merlins are keeping a close eye on things and frequently come through hunting runs. This Merlin was unsuccessful this time around. #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

It’s GRACKLEPALOOZA time again! We have a few in the yard throughout the summer, but as migration approaches, they multiply! There are probably at least 100 here at times and it will increase! This male Common Grackle is almost done his moult and thinks he shouldn’t be named “common”! #Birds 🪶

I was quite far away when I first spotted it swimming, and wasn’t sure what it was. But it kept swimming closer! Soras are good swimmers, but when it came to a partially submerged log, it climbed right up. Swimming is ok, but these big feet were made for walking! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Mallards are very common ducks and I think we sometimes take them for granted. This female mallard has just taken off from a marsh and is showing us her beautiful feathers! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

We’ve had a couple of spotted sandpipers hanging around one of the local marshes this year. They are usually bop bop bopping along with their funky dance. But this time, one decide to fly to the next foraging spot! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Cedar Waxwings are named after the little waxy red tips, called astaxanthin, on their secondary feathers. This Cedar Waxwing was pulling off some fancy aerial manoeuvres while hunting bugs, and showed off these tiny red tips! The astaxanthin are now thought to be involved with social status.

A few days ago I posted a barn swallow bathing in a marsh. But they weren’t the only ones, and it was hard to know for sure if they were flying in for a bath or a drink. This Tree Swallow was thirsty and has just finished plowing the water for a drink! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Eastern Kingbirds are a common fixture around a lot of our marshes and fields, where they often hunt bugs from a favourite perch. This one felt a bit swallow-like instead, and was chasing insects just above the surface of the marsh. #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Hi Bob, Farthest I’ve been in each direction in Canada N. Yellowknife, NWT S. Point Pelee park, Ontario E. Cape Spear, Newfoundland W. Rennell Sound, Haida Gwaii

A lot of small birds take a bit of time splashing in shallow water when they bath. Not swallows. This barn swallow flew directly into the marsh at Mach 5, completely submerged for a second, and then exploded out in a shower of water drops to continue on its way! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Soras are quite shy and spend the majority of their time lurking in reed beds. But what happens when you are hunting amongst the reeds, catch a bug, and need to take it back to your chicks … across an open gap? YOU SPRINT FOR IT! Those feet were made for that! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

I haven’t had a chance to get out photographing much lately, so I went back to some folders that may not have been edited yet … there are a few🤣 This adult Sora was on a hunting expedition in the shallows of a prairie marsh, looking for bugs! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

There were a few Bald-faced Hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) among the insects visiting the milkweed. Although they can be aggressive if you disturb their nest, these individuals were too busy feeding to mind me getting close with my phone. They have very Deco markings!

The echinacea is putting on a show this year. I started with a small packet of mixed seeds a few years ago. It was supposed to be only purple and white but this hot pink appeared and I love it! Always amazes me what a tiny seed can turn into!

We’re getting smoke from the north and the mosquitoes are fierce but the garden is full of life right now!

There are a lot of trees around this small marsh so there are often pockets of very calm water. This horned grebe adult was speeding towards the far side, probably to check for ducks, when it passed through this perfectly calm section! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Apparently, I’m photographing only grebes right now…. oh well! These two horned grebe chicks hatched a few days apart and the little one definitely wants to hang out with its older sibling while they explore their marsh home! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

I don’t know about all grebes but I can speak for this one. This Horned Grebe does not tolerate other birds in his area of the marsh. And his area, is all the water. All of it. I believe he has spied a duck. #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Once they dive, it’s unknown where they will pop up! Emerging from the depths, this Horned Grebe parent surfaced right beside one of its babies, and with a tasty leach for it to eat! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

The horned grebe babies are swimming and even diving on their own for food. But mom and dad are still feeding them … a lot! This parent has been diving and bringing yummy things like leaches, and whatever this is, up for the babies. This one’s spiky hairdo is fantastic! #Birds #photography 🪶

“ Punch it mom! We’re leaving Gary in our dust!” A few days ago the Horned Grebes were still occasionally riding on their parents’ backs. This little one seemed quite please to be zooming ahead of its sibling🤣 #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

The local little marsh is ruled by the horned grebes who do not tolerate ducks! So I was shocked to find some mallard ducklings in the marsh! This baby mallard duck is one of two in the marsh. They stay close the reeds and are growing and doing fine! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

The haskap berries have taken a beating and they are pretty much gone! There are many birds that like them, but these ones top the list! This Cedar Waxwing seems particularly proud of “his” berry! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Baby horned grebes are small little balls of fluff in stripey pajamas … most of the time. But this little grebe needed a good stretch to get ready for a morning of eating leaches! This little one is extra long but it’s only one bird! It must have felt really good! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

He likes to come in, for a drink and a bath, late in the evening when the light is low. But this American Goldfinch male brings his own light! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

All aboard the Grebe Taxi! These very young horned grebe babies ride in style when out on the marsh. Soon they’ll be too big, but for now, Mom needs some navigational assistance! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Show me your forward facing birds This Common Grackle was loading up on mealworms to feed the kids! #Birds #photography #wildlife

Take a moment. This exquisite creature is a dragonfly called Black Saddlebags. I took the shot locally here in San Diego county. 🌿 #invertebrate

A few yrs ago, we planted some haskap shrubs in our yard.Their fruit looks like an elongated blueberry and is tasty, but a bit tart. We don’t get to eat many because … reasons. Reason number one: This Cedar Waxwing just landed and that blue berry did not last long! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

Some birds have a classic silhouette. This House Wren has been filling the yard with chatter and was also feeling a bit geometrical this evening! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

The nest is quite well hidden this year, but the eggs have hatched! And these little Horned Grebe babies have bright red on their stripey faces so they are easier to see! There are three of the little ones in this image under the watchful eye of mom … or dad. #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

The backyard is lush right now and the creek is a popular bathing spot. While we hear and see them regularly, this visitor isn’t usually so obvious, but this male Merlin apparently wanted to see if the little birds were paying attention. They were! #Birds #photography #wildlife 🪶

She hurt her wing 3 summers ago and we thought she might not migrate. Her baby stayed with her late, but they eventually left We worried, but last spring here she was, walking up the fence with her droopy wing! This year, same thing! That wing droops but she flys! This is our friend crow! #Birds 🪶