Common Kingfisher
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while I was taking images of a Snipe this one begged for some attention ..
also called Eurasian Moorhen or just Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
waterhoen
Gallinule poule-d'eau ou Poule-d'eau
Teichhuhn
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All rights reserved. Fons Buts©2021
My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.
I took this image from my kayak as a pair came swimming by fairly close to me. As long as I had no sudden movements, they really didn't seem to mind my presence.
August 2016
also called Eurasian Kingfisher
alcedo atthis
ijsvogel
martin-pêcheur d'Europe
Eisvogel
Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.
All rights reserved. Fons Buts©2022
My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) drake swimming in a small urban pond in southwest Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
16 April, 2016.
Slide # GWB_20160416_8261.CR2
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
I can't get enough of these beautiful birds when I am fortunate to see them. This photo was taken from a canoe.
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Common/Moorland Hawker (male) checking out the intruder in his pond (me)
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This male Common Goldeneye was trying his hardest to impress the lady friend. He energetically flaunted his signature move - the 'head-throw- kick' to attract her.
As seen here, he threw his head way back to rest it on his back while uttering a single sexy grating call and splashing the water behind him with his feet.
The female was nearby and appeared to be watching him with interest.
Taken on: William Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Nikon D500 w/500mm f4G +1.4X; Right angle viewfinder.
(Lightroom 6.0)
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I photographed this pair on an open storm water lake in a park in the city. Many of the storm water lakes and ponds are open much earlier than the outlying bodies of water and they provide suitable habitat and foraging opportunities for many species as they wait for their breeding grounds to open up.
Many of the species we see on this particular lake at this time of year are here for only a brief time before they move on. It gives us the opportunity to see species that breed farther north.
This lake and others like it also provide a breeding area for many waterfowl species such as Canada Geese, Mallards, Wigeons, Lesser scaups, and other common waterfowl, as well as Herons and some shorebirds.
Hermitage Park. Edmonton, Alberta.
A small and common babbler found in the countryside and sighted always in flocks much like the other babblers. They are noisy chatterboxes though delightful to watch and shoot. The birds are found in the scrub and underbush often flying from one bush to the other looking for small insects.
On this occasion though, the birds were singing and try to mate - my first such sighting. The males were not successful since the female wasn't interested, but it was an insightful experience to watch the birds sing from the same perch and wait for females to respond. The female did get a bit closer, but almost immediately became disinterested and flew far away taking a few of the males with her. The birds are not sexually dimorphic though - I assumed the genders based on the behaviours.
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Green cay wetlands
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Common Tern - Sterna Hirundo
Juvenile
It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. Breeding adults have light grey upperparts, white to very light grey underparts, a black cap, orange-red legs, and a narrow pointed bill. Depending on the subspecies, the bill may be mostly red with a black tip or all black. There are a number of similar species, including the partly sympatric Arctic tern, which can be separated on plumage details, leg and bill colour, or vocalisations.
Breeding in a wider range of habitats than any of its relatives, the common tern nests on any flat, poorly vegetated surface close to water, including beaches and islands, and it readily adapts to artificial substrates such as floating rafts. The nest may be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but it is often lined or edged with whatever debris is available. Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns providing camouflage on the open beach.
Population:
UK breeding:
12,000 pairs