   I wonder what frightened these beautiful Ringneck Ducks? Notice they are flying towards me??
 The forces of nature never fail to inspire me! Even in a snowstorm, Momma Hummingbird is gathering nesting material .. Does she have eggs in that nest? babies perhaps???  ***** If you are reading this from the Pacific NW today .. Please bring your hummingbird feeders in overnite and set the alarm to have them back out before daylight breaks. This cold snap is a critical time for these tiny creatures and a frozen feeder that a bird depends on could spell disaster! *****  I was out this morning at first light , and at first never saw much to photograph, but had a curious Red Wing Blackbird singing his spring song (poor lighting but perhaps some interesting images) and on the way home from a no photo shoot at a fav duck pond I spotted this Great Blue Heron who was very cooperative. A special thanks to the people who stopped by to chat about birds, pondside and Lockside Road. I enjoyed the visits! Have a great weekend ... TerryV  A Red Wing Black Bird belts out a spring melody!   A group of Trumpeter Swans heading out to feed this morning
 Just look at this beauty for a minute .. She is an Anna's hummingbird with one of the brightest colour schemes I have ever seen. Normally the gorget is a few specks of colour, but this beauty is over the top with brilliance! Check out this similar find from 2008 (link below from Bainbridge Island Washington) https://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/06/21/annas-hummingbird Hope everyone has a great weekend ... TerryV Photos above from Jan 21 (yesterday morning) Anna's hummingbirds never rest ... Nesting season continues year round here! Bless their little productive souls!
 * Top image of an adult and juvenile Trumpeter Swan make their exit from a pond in Central Saanich ... * Next frame is a slideshow group of 5 swans coming in for a landing (watch their feet as they get close to landing) Thanks for the visits today from the folks who stopped by to see the swans ... Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk) glides onto a prickly landing spot. below slide show 13 frames Swan landing , continued below! splashdown!     Black Turnstone enjoys a morning saltwater dip! * Harlequin Ducks *  *Female Common Merganser cruises past on a beautiful January morning
 I had a dream of a tiny jewel like bird with brilliant green feathers and she preferred to fly free amongst the other birds even though she had a warm safe refuge inside my house. She showed me how glorious it was to be out with nature surrounding her. Though I had taken her in and helped her out for a time, there was no going back. I never questioned this only marvelled at this wee creature buzzing about, but it wasn't until I awoke and thought about this vivid dream that I realized its meaning. Hello Gracye .. you are a freebird now!   Happy New Year to everyone who checks out these pages... Thank you for visiting (It means a lot to me to know that people are enjoying the images) The Swans in the slideshow set above were taken Dec 31st at Central Saanich These graceful elegant birds waddled across the lumpy mud flats and finally into the water. As I watched this pair I thought of the mud flat as the war torn past year of absolute craziness ... Glad to see it passing but yet am leery of the bombshells ahead?... or is it crocodiles, aliens or perhaps clear sailing? I guess we are about to find out. I wish everyone out there all the very best in the coming year. Thank you again for your support if you clicked on my images here or perhaps purchased cards or a canvas print. For this I am very grateful as it gives me purpose .... Cheers TerryV (Dig This Gardening in Sidney carries my images and Michell's Market on Island view Road stocks my cards)  A beautiful pair of adult Tundra Swans gliding across and over the field.  Young of the year Tundra Swan! ( slightly smaller than adults and a greyish tone )
 This morning's snow might have Sir A feeling a bit grumpy? Or maybe its the competition ... Late this afternoon I saw 50+ hummingbirds gathered round the feeders.
Mellisa correctly answered the skill testing question and the answer she gave was "Pine Siskin" She correctly identified the mystery bird .. I never would have thought that was so difficult, but I guess since hers was the only entry and also correct , Mellissa wins her choice of 6 deluxe greeting cards or a matted print (I have lots to choose from, so please email me and let me know your preference and I'll get it out in the mail! Thank you for watching my blog and thanks to everyone who views these nature pages! Have a lovely Sunday ... TerryV  Above .. A group of Pine Siskins in the yard working on some dried sunflower seeds ... This year I have had daily flocks coming through in the many dozens!
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March 2021
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March 2018 .. I just received notice that my blog has been awarded a distinction of being one of the top 100 photography blogs in Canada.
* All images and content copyright Terry Venables and NaturalImagesCanada *
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