Black-billed cuckoo

Black-billed cuckoo, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

Taken at the visitor centre at Rondeau Provincial Park.

He had hit a building and after being checked by one of the naturalists he was released. It flew up into a pine tree and rested. Eventually it flew off.

Monday morning smile

Monday morning smile, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

I get the benefit of renting things you only need once in a while.
I understand that there are things you regularity use but are to expensive to own.
But TIRES? Really?

I'd like a set of tires to use for the weekend please.

Na, I don't bother with a spare tire, I just rent one if I need it.

It was only driven on sundays by a little old lady.

It just sits there most of the time so I don't bother with tires or wheels for that matter.

Sort of like renting bubble gum.

laughing gulls

laughing gulls, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

A rare bird at home, but in Texas they were everywhere. Their call/cry does sound like a laugh, a very disturbing laugh.
Stay dry, eh.

Wind and Water

Wind and Water, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

We have been catching the northern edge of the big storms that have been going through the mid west United States spanning those terrible tornados.
We have had severe thunder storms and torrential rains but no tornados.

Tuesday night the wind was from the north and the waves were pounding in. Then the wind shifted to a strong south.
The tops of the waves were ripped off and a spiral of water appeared on the lake probably due to opposing winds.
It was about 500 feet off shore and if you look closely you can see the gulls to the right of the water spout(?).
I'm not sure if this qualifies as a water spout but I don't know what else to call it

You just can't trust bird names.

You just can't trust bird names., a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

This is a yellow crowned night heron. It has a yellow crest but it was wandering around in the middle of the day.

This one came within 15 feet of our car.
Seen in Texas.

Momma, where are you going to put your babie

Momma, where are you going to put your babie, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

A female ruby throated hummingbird building a nest on spicebush Trail at Rondeau.
The nest is incredibly small.

Leave the poison ivy alone.

Leave the poison ivy alone., a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

I love signs like this, they turn things around from what you expect.

Le conte's Sparrow

Le conte's Sparrow, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

Another unusual bird for Rondeau this spring.
The Le conte's sparrow which is normally a western or northern Ontario bird.
It was found on Harrison Trail and was easily seen by many of our May birders.

Whip-poor-will or common nighthawk?

Whip-poor-will or common nighthawk?, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

Either way it was a great find by a birder at Rondeau Provincial Park.
IT was reasonably close to the road and everyone had great views.

Anyone out there want to confirm the identification one way or the other?

sandhill cranes at Rondeau

sandhill cranes at Rondeau, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

A group of 9 sandhill cranes were seen along the South Point Trail earlier this week.
We have a few in the marsh each year but this is the largest group I have seen in the park.

There has to be a better name

There has to be a better name, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.

If this name is considered a selling point (ie Reliable Construction, The Secure Bank) it doesn't say much for the industry.

A little bit scary.