Spring Life in Canatara! 

American Bitterns can typically be found in shallow freshwater marshes. They are stealth predators and typically stand motionless as they wait for prey to approach.  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Bittern/id#

If you look closely at the picture, the Bittern is standing still, but he isn't in a wetland!! This bird spent a minimum of 6 hours "perched" on the same branch in a wooded area in Canatara Park. I have not seen one 40 feet up in a tree before!

I couldn't see a nest within the rose bush where this Brown Thrasher was sitting, but it could be a safe nesting location for the bird. Brown Thrashers are the largest common host of parasitic Brown-headed Cowbirds. Thrashers will put up some resistance, often rejecting cowbird eggs that are laid in their nests. Perhaps the Cowbirds will think twice before trying to maneuver between the thorns to find a host nest for their eggs??https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Thrasher/overview

Green Darner dragonflies are a multigenerational long-distance migration flyer! They returned to SW Ontario a few weeks ago. Scientists are just starting to learn about their migratory habits. This species has been recorded flying 122 kilometres in a single day, clocking speeds upward of 58 kilometres per hour during migration!

https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/featured-species/insects-and-spiders/common-green-darner.html

A Red-winged Blackbird Mom is sitting on her nest, only 12 inches above the water. Once the leaves open on the surrounding bush, she will be better camouflaged.

Frogs and toads have come out of hibernation and can be heard singing their very loud songs in order to find a mate. I encountered a mated pair of American Toads today. If you look closely at the bottom left and right corners of the photo, you will notice many strings of fertilized toad eggs.

 American Toad eggs enlarged from above picture.