Photowalk - Deschênes Rapids, Baby waterfowl and Stargazing

Even though I am living in Ottawa for quite a while now, it took me until today to go and see the Deschênes Rapids on the Ottawa River near Aylmer, Québec, from a closer vantage point. 

There were a number of Cormorants nesting on the little island. I did not get a close enough picture but from what I can see when I zoom in a lot, they might be double-crested Cormorants. I could not see the whispy feathers on the head but an orange throat on the adults. 

The waterlevel of the Ottawa River is high right now and I was really impressed by this fast running enormous body of energy. Looking down into the water, especially when standing next to it with no metal railing inbetween  gave me the feeling as if it wants to pull me along.

The area is popular with whitewater kayakers but they run those rapids up only from below the ruins, since it is way to dangerous from above due to underwater rebars sticking out here and there. 

The ruins used to be a hydro-electric plant. "A few minutes downstream along the path you’ll come to the remains of a dam. Robert Conroy, an Irish settler, harnessed these rapids in the mid-1800s to run his flour and saw mills. In 1895, Conroy’s sons Robert and William built the region’s first hydro-electric plant here. It powered the Hull Electric Railway, which began service between Ottawa and Aylmer in 1896." from Quebec Heritage Web

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To make use of the time before the star gazing, I made my way to Andrew Haydon Park. I wanted to see how the young geese came along. There were only a few families of geese there to be seen, not like in previous years.

I also found a Brant goose. That was a first for me. I don't think that I encountered one of those yet but they also blend in with the Canada geese very well, I might just not have recognized the difference.

They breed in arctic salt marches along ocean or in estuary systems, according to my Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America.

The baby ducks are just so cute. They scare very easily but Mom or Dad duck is never far away, they really keep a close eye on their little ones.  :)

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Then it was finally time to find a spot from which to enjoy the star show.
Today I was waiting for the Jupiter, Venus and Mercury conjunction.

First, I was treated to a beautiful sunset with mesmerizing colors.

All of the sudden I noticed the triangle. A really pronounced triangle and at the beginning the only thing visible in the sky.

I stayed as long as I could but next to the river the wind was a constant companion and I eventually got too cold to keep picturing this beautiful sight.

Photowalk - Owl update

It was rainy all day long and so I left quite late for a rather quick photowalk. I wanted to take the opportunity to picture some Lily of the Valley before they are past their prime but it turned out nothing much changed since last week, when I saw them showing a lot of flower buds. They are still not in full bloom yet. I guess the recent cool air slowed things down for them.

I also wanted to try to see the young owls again, since they most likely came down their nesting tree.

I could not believe my luck. I actually managed to see one of the youngsters! Out there, kind of on his own, doing what owls are supposed to do. Looking great. That is incredible! Such an awesome bird! I kept my presence there to a minimum and left after a few pictures. I also tried to get a glimpse of one of the adult birds but simply did not manage to locate one. They must have been right there somewhere since the crows were again making a spectacle out of themselves.

I really like the early evening hours when the sun glances through the trees, back-lighting the leaves beautifully.

Shirley Bay sunset after a rainy day.

Photowalk .... Owls, Turtles and Night Herons

This time I went to check on the Owls again, to see how much bigger the young ones have gotten. I also was hoping to see another adult owl when I'm in the woods. 

These trees smelled wonderfully. By looks I would guess that they are some sort of apple tree.

There she is. According to another photographer, that is Mrs. Owl. 

The youngsters grew quite a bit since I visited the previous time which was 6 days ago.

Amazing. By now they actually look like owls already, not like cotton balls with beaks. :)

 Midland Painted Turtle 

 Full attention of a Canada goose.

Night heron. I saw at least 6 of those guys this time. 

That is a new record for me!

Mrs. Owl, basking in the sunshine. 

Mr. Owl, keeping a cool face even though a crow tried really really hard 

to annoy him enough to move.

Midland Painted Turtle 

Photowalk...Cardinals, Owls and Turtles

Northern Cardinal

Some Midland Painted Turtles enjoying a beautiful spring day.

Siberian squill

That is what I actually came here for, although most of them were
past their prime already so I did not manage to picture a "field in blue"

this year. Maybe next time. :)

Another Northern Cardinal clowning around. Checking me out in all different angles

to make sure it is  safe for him to emerge from the bush he was hiding in.

As it turned out, he's kind of a professional photo model... At least it seemed that way.

I managed to see and photograph my very first baby owls!! I am so, so, so happy! :)

These guys are just so cute and fluffy looking. 

Mom or Dad, keeping an eye on things.

Midland Painted Turtles

Quite a large Snapping Turtle swimming by ...

....and taking a breath of fresh air.