Rondeau Ric

Baby it's cold outside. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. This white winged dove is a creature of the desert southwest and doesn't look like it is used to snow and ice. He's all puffed up against the cold. He has been here for at least two days at the Rondeau Provincial Park visitor centre. We saw lots of these down in Texas but it's the first one up here. Zenaida asiatica

Hiding in plain sight. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. An Eastern screech owl sitting in a hollow tree next to a parking lot. We weren't food and we weren't a predator so it ignored us Megasops asio

The look , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Parents, teachers and cops all have "The Look". When you see it you know it's all over.

Surprise!! , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. We saw this pigeon(?) at the zoo in Brownsville, Texas. Don't know the species but I liked the surprised look on its face.

Manta , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Not sure why it was so far up the beach but I assume it was after food. It staid for a moment then retreated with the waves. It isn't a manta ray, those are very large and this one was small. It was about 15 inches across and 30 inches long. If you know the proper name please let me know.

Unforgiving , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. a harsh,dry and challenging environment.

Ringed Kingfisher , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. The ringed kingfisher has a very large bill, chestnut breast and belly. About 16 inches long, 41 cm, and prefers marshes and slow moving water. He is much bigger than the belted kingfisher we have in Ontario. Ours is about 13 in. - 33cm, in length. We saw this one in southeast Texas. Ceryle torquatus

Everything old is new again. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Wind power, I prefer the old to the new due to government policies which puts them in migratory bird migration routes among other stupid things.

Passing at 900 miles per hour , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. We were going this a way and he was going that a way, both flying at 450 miles per hour. I looked out the window and saw it coming so I grabbed my camera and took a quick photo. Surprised it turned out.

Winter, pretty to look at, , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. unless you have to shovel it,walk on slippery sidewalks or drive on icy roads. IT also means your heating bill is going up,up,up......

Red Throated loon , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. We were looking for another bird, which we didn't see, when we spotted this red throated loon. It's in non breeding plumage so it doesn't have a red throat. It was a fair way out in the lake but I was able to get a reasonable photo of this life bird. Gavia Stellata

Happy New Year!! , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. What? you expected a little baby with a digital watch?