I headed out to Downsview Park on this day to explore and, hopefully, photograph some birds with my rented long lens and mirrorless camera.
In the first hour I found exactly one bird … a distant Mockingbird.

After that, things picked up as I found about two dozen Redpolls harvesting weed seeds:








I particularly like this apparent affection between two birds:

Next I came across a feeder:









Other birds:




On my first visit to Downsview Park I photographed this Long-eared Owl:

Today I found a Barred Owl:





and a Red-tailed Hawk:





NATURE POETRY
One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow. – Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
Miles Hearn
The camera really shows the details on the birds. It reminds me of the change of television screens to high definition. Thanks. Today is a good day to be an armchair bird watcher!
I wonder if you were at Downsview Park yesterday. I was there with a couple of friends. Saw the owl, hawk and redpolls as well…so exciting! You got much better photos than I did – your new lens is great.
Thank you Miles – this is wonderful. Obviously I have to get myself to Downsview park.
wow~~~! you saw a lot of neat birds in one day! thanks 4 sharing,Miles……..
love all the bird photos, thanks!
Wow, these pictures are beyond wonderful. Thank you so much, Miles!
Formidable, congratulations.
You are helping me identify my birds,
JNP
Great shots Miles. Amazing how many owls you have seen this winter. Lucky you! Would a red tailed hawk go after a barred owl? Just wondering.