Things should start changing pretty fast now. Before spring fully arrives, here are a last few wintery highlights.
Earlier in February, I came across the largest mass of ducks I've ever seen in Mississauga. Species diversity was very low, but the spectacle of thousands of birds, which this picture is only a fraction of, is always very impressive.
Like last winter, the deep freeze this winter forced a variety of ducks to inland waterways. I thought this was an interesting angle to compare Red-breasted (top) and Common Merganser males. Red-breasted Mergansers are not usually found inland except on the largest lakes.
I rarely see Snow Buntings well, so I was glad to get good views of a large flock north of Waterloo.
My recent highlight was this gorgeous male Mallard x Northern Pintail hybrid, a first for me. I've also seen Mallard x Gadwall and Mallard x Wigeon hybrids, plus the common Mallard x American Black Duck hybrids.
Another amazing Snowy Owl winter is coming to a close. I've really enjoyed the 50+ snowies I've seen in the last two years. It's quite unlikely that there will be many around next winter, but I can always hope!
