Enjoying Nature in Canatara!

The Coopers Hawk chicks have hatched! We believe there are 2 fuzzy young birds in the nest. One of the chicks, although looking sleepy, was moving around a bit in the nest.

3 American White Pelicans spent about 18 hours in Canatara Park recently. They typically nest in western Canada but a population is also based on an island in Lake Erie, off the tip of Point Pelee. The 3 Pelicans likely didn't breed and are doing a "tour" of SW Ontario!

I finally saw a Scarlett Tanager on June 2nd. Although not an adult male with the brilliant red and black plumage, this 1st year male will be sporting the fancy colours next year!

Mallard ducklings at rest. Mom was just out of the photo.

Members of the Large Crane Flies family - mating!

The Great Crested Flycatcher is a bird of the treetops. It spends very little time on the ground, and does not hop or walk. It prefers to fly from place to place on the ground, rather than walk. They share their habitat with other insect-snatching birds. However, they use an area higher in the canopy to avoid direct competition for food.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Crested_Flycatcher/overview

Great Crested Flycatchers are cavity nesters. We have recently watched them taking nesting material into an old woodpecker hole, high in a dead tree.

Many trips required to properly prepare the nest!

The ever beautiful (and uncommon) Common Checkered Skipper!

Morning sun in a blaze of orange, likely caused from the forest fires out west.