I have been out to the Niagara River twice in the past month for some birding. During these trips I saw many of the usual gull targets and a few rarities!
During my first trip in early December I had the pleasure of seeing two Razorbill at Niagara-on-the-Lake, unfortunately they were very far out, closer to the US side. This is an ocean going species that rarely shows up on the Great Lakes.
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| Razorbill! |
At the Queenston Boat docks Josh P and I had Little Gulls and great looks at Black Vultures!
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| Little Gull (black underwings), Bonaparte's Gulls, and American fishers. |
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| Black Vulture |
I was down in the area for Christmas and went out on boxing day for some birding! I was excited to test out a new lens - the Fuji 70-300mm. It is a heck of a lot smaller and lighter than the 400mm and definitely holds its own. I think it is faster focusing and maybe a hair sharper.
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| Ring-billed Gull above the falls |
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| Iceland Gull at Adam Beck |
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Lightly marked gull that I took for a Thayer's at first, but seems like it is just an odd Herring.
The highlight of this trip was definitely a near adult male King Eider (also at Niagara-on-the-Lake)! |
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| King Eider (taken w 400mm) |
A Red-throated Loon was hanging out with this bird, and I was able to get both in a single shot!
A couple bonus shots from out and about the last little while around Fergus:
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| Mallard drakes |
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| Golden-crowned Kinglet |
