Birds

Birds are a favourite subject of mine. What I don't like so much about it is having to wake up so early to get a decent photo of them. But many weekends while living in Ottawa I would go to bed while the neighbours were partying so I could wake up at 530 and ride my bike down to Dow's lake to get there just after sunrise. The serenity of being surrounded by only birds in the early morning is unmatched.

Unfortunately, for our little friend in the photo above, tree swallows do not typically feel the same way about me. At Dow's Lake, they have a number of these bird boxes setup for the tree swallows to nest in, and earlier in the year they have this brilliant blue hue so I try to get as close as possible. Male tree swallows will viciously defend their nests as a group, and with every step closer I take they will buzz my head more and more, eventually they will start hitting me, and usually at that point I take it as my cue to vamoose! They will usually chase you for about 500 feet or so to make sure you are gone. I think they began to recognize me after a few weekends as well, as I would often pop straight into the clearing and immediately start getting buzzed. I usually try to pinch off a couple photos before they start actually hitting me!

Show me your favourite bird or wildlife photos you have taken!