Friday, April 12, 2013

birds

I really enjoy getting bird postcards. I dream of being able to take such clear shots of them in all poses. And in some cases of simply seeing them!

Here we have the early arrival spring favourite, the robin. Except this one looks very different from the robins we are used to seeing. The European robin has been knocked out of the thrush family and is now classified as a chat. I had to look that up, and immediately got lost in the taxonomy. Our (American) robins are considered true thrushes.
But the good news in these parts is the Bald Eagle new parents nesting nearby in the Royal Botanical Gardens. There have been sightings of two little white tufts in the nest! These are the first bald eagles to hatch on Lake Ontario in decades and there is great excitement at the arrival of the newcomers. You can read more about the Bald Eagle Project here. The adult pair have been nesting for a few years and have chosen a site that is viewable from the boardwalk. Unfortunately, I have no good photos and haven't seen the babies. The aerial views of mom and pop have been a sight to see, at least!


13 comments:

  1. I didn't know our robins in Europe were chats, but a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. They are by far my favourite birds. They will eat from your hand in time, if you're patient.

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    1. Yours are smaller and cuter than our, but they do have a lovely singing voice.

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  2. In English, it is all a mystery to me, these bird names and I am too lazy to go and translate them. Actually, I am still too sleepy, but do appreciate the effort that you make.

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    1. no worries. I get rather confused with all the latin names and the similar names.

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  3. I think a chatty friendly bird like the robin, should be part of that family.
    But I am amazed that an aloof-looking bird like an eagle should deign to be seen nesting from a common boardwalk! What is the avian world coming to?!

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    1. it isn't really a 'common boardwalk'. it is in a marsh area in a conservation area that is part of an on-going wetlands revitalization. This particular area is protected especially for recovery of the bald eagles.

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  4. Lovely to see the eagles making a comeback.

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  5. I have been watching the Earthflight series on TV - those birds are amazing, capturing them an art as they flit here and there!

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  6. What wonderful postcards! I especially loved the one of the red breasted Robin. What a beauty! Our Robin looks quite different than the European version--I have a feeling this bird is just as sweet.

    Happy Postcard Friendship Friday! ((hugs))

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  7. I live in the Netherlands and this is the robin that lives here in the hedges! It's a cute little bird, with a round tummy. It whistle ( flute) very clear. Nice card! In winter it eats seeds or piece of bread in my backyard. Together with sparrows and blackbirds.

    Happy Postcrossing!

    http://postvoormij.blogspot.nl/

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  9. Wow! It's exciting you are living close to a nesting mommmy and daddy eagles! :) I wish I can see their babies!!

    I have some bird postcards. If you can email me at avi underscore resha at yahoo dot com, I'll send you a card :)

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  10. Robin is one of my favorite birds. It is bold, playful and it's singing voice is enchanting. I'm glad the eagles were able to come back.

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