Sunday, June 17, 2012

A Hike to the Long Lake Wetlands. A Post to MWT and WBW.

 I haven't been up to the Long Lake wetland for a while as the the last time the trail was flooded, and I couldn't get through. But this time the trail was great. The weather was cool but overcast as you can see. Although the sun came out from time to time.

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE AND VIEW THE SLIDE SHOW.
 It was quite an exciting hike with my first view of an Indigo Bunting, Cedar Waxwings' cavorting, and  more Waxwing  food rituals. The top view looks north,  as does the opposite photo.
 Looking North from the southern end of the wetland.
 Looking east from a rock outcropping.
 Looking at the Ridge from my rest spot on the edge of the water.
 The wetland boasts a new beaver lodge.
 Alder or Least Flycatcher.
 Different view of the same.
 Again a different view of the same Flycatcher. I think it's an Alder, as the Least has some yellow on its chest.
 This is a male Indigo Bunting, a pretty spectacular looking bird.
 A side view.
 In this one you can see the stripes on his wings.
 Close up of A Chestnut-sided Warbler.
 Same
 Back view Of the Chestnut sided Warbler.
 This Female Hairy stayed in hiding until she went to a full reveal in the following photos.
 Female Hairy.
 Female Goldfinch.
Female Goldfinch.
 Chipping Sparrow.
 Great Blue Heron In Flight.
 This is the first of the Cedar Waxwings and they're really having a good time.
 What can you say about him?

 This begins the food exchange ritual.
 She's got it now.
 Just looking away.
 Young Cedar Waxwing
 Side view Young Cedar Waxwing.
 Black-capped Chickadee.
 Sheep Laurel, toxic to animals, but beautiful to look at.
Wild Lupine
 Wild Lupine in pink and purple.
 Close up of purple Lupine
 Dame's Rocket.
 Close up of Dame's Rocket.
 And the Hummingbird who was perched in a tree in the middle of the Lupine patch. I almost missed him. He's not showing much colour as there is not much light and the Hummingbird's feathers refract light to achieve colour.
 Monarch.
 A worn out Mourning Cloak.
 Same worn out Mourning Cloak.
 Wood Satyr
 Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
 Unknown Demoiselle.
 Silver Bordered Fritillary.
White Admiral     A Post to MWT, and WBW.

52 comments:

  1. love the chestnut-sided warbler. such a mix of color! and the indigo - i'm jealous. :)

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  2. Another great tek Gary. Excellent photos and the Cedar Waxwings are grand!

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  3. Wow, gorgeous images. I love all the birds, it is hard to pick a favorite they are all wonderful bird shots.

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  4. Hi Gary

    A lovely post and I always see something new. I really enjoyed the bunting and the lupin.

    Regards
    Guy

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  5. what a beautiful country. Excellent nature photography.

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  6. Fantastic series!

    Love the Cedar Waxwing pics!!!

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  7. Beautiful nature shots. I would love to see a beaver lodge! And wild lupine too. :)

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  8. Nice photos, I love the butterflies. My Vancouver photos were taken in last year's Stanley Cup run, hence the Canucks sign.

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  9. Great series as always, Gary, love the cedar wax-wing, the beautiful butterflies and such colorful, lovely flowers! Hope you have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  10. Very Beautiful!Loved the Indigo Bunting & the Lupines!

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  11. Such reflections in the still water. Wonderful series of photos.

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  12. You covered all my favorites...birds, flowers and butterflies. Good job.

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  13. I love seeing the wetlands. They are so important ecologically. The indigo buntings are such a treat to see. All the birds and butterflies are beautiful but the bunting grabbed me.

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  14. I never seen a young waxving before, so dull in colors. Strange.

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  15. Excellent and nice catch. Love the new block of butterflies.

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  16. You must feel so good being able to live in such environment. Thank you for this escape. Please have a good Tuesday.


    daily athens photo

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  17. This was such a fun read/see! what a serene and gorgeous place with beautiful critters and wonderful birds. Thanks for the peek of a cool place :) Enjoyed it so much!

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  18. Wonderful shots! You've captured many of my favourite things.

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  19. a wonderful look at your world again Gary. there's always something interesting to see here.

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  20. Indigo bunting, cedar waxwings (two of my favorite-ever sightings) plus a bunch of other birds I've never seen -- I could be so jealous! But instead i'm just grateful to you for sharing. Lovely walk.

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  21. enjoyed each of the birds especially, and ... the lupins; beautiful photographic opportunities near to you!

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  22. Gary, I love to go along with you on your hikes:)The landscape shots and beautiful with the reflections and what sightings of birds and butterflies...Have a great day!

    Shantana

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  23. Hi there - great shots - really like the ones with the waxwings exchanging the insect.

    Stewart M - Australia

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  24. Lovely shots, that too the goldflinch is cute:)

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  25. First I want to thank you for visiting my blog and I am so happy that I visit yours. I fell in love with the birds, butterflies and the flowers. You are so god in capturing the beauty of nature. Thanks for your wonderful post:)

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  26. What beautiful captures of nature's loveliness, from birds to flowers to scenic land and water, you give us lovely visuals.

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  27. A brilliant series again Gary. Those Waxwings win my prize today with the way you captured the food pass.

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  28. What a delightful Nature Study post this was, I thoroughly enjoyed my virtual hike.

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  29. Wow! Must have been a beautiful hike. Lovely pictures.

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  30. You hike to such interesting place. Thanks for posting photos of beautiful scenery and wildlife that I would never otherwise see.

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  31. WoW-zers....you sure do see a lot on your hikes. what a gorgeous series of pictures!!

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  32. Wonderful post as always.
    Beautiful photos.
    I've never seen an Indigo Bunting, it's such a beautiful bird.
    The photo of the Waxwings food exchange is awesome.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Wish you a wonderful day.
    Mette

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  33. Lovely captures, Gary. It's wonderful to see your landscapes in thei Summer guise and the beautiful wildflowers and butterflies.

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  34. A lovely post with many details, - so great for WBW!

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  35. Beautiful scenery against a very interesting assortment of birds and insects.

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  36. The warbler is gorgeous and so are the waxwings! Wonderful shots!

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  37. So many birds and butterflies in that lush setting.

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  38. WOW, Gary!! What a brilliant series of images - beautiful scenery, gorgeous birds, lovely butterflies & flowers. Thanks for taking us on your walk. :)

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  39. Great, i don't like much the wide angle shots, as they look unfriendly, but your birds and butterflies are all so beautiful, and wonderfully captured!

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  40. What brilliant pics - I particularly like the Indigo Bunting - your scenery shots are good - and the lupins shot - i last saw wild lupins in Crete a few years back - brought back memories - Jane Uk

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  41. WOW!! What a great set the birds are just gorgeous...

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  42. From the songbirds to the lovely flying insects, great series Gary. I espcially enjoyed the Cedar Waxwings handing off the dragonfly...very lovely capture~

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  43. Such beautiful shots of the flora and fauna of your area! Love the Cedar Waxwing series.

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  44. encore une superbe promenade, ca fait du bien aux yeux

    Publicity ;o) Every Friday (and the Weekend), The Challenge "Walk In The Street Photography"

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  45. Fabulous shots. The first ones are so very peaceful.

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  46. Absolutely incredible Gary. Each and every photo shared. My goodness, but that male indigo bunting is so handsome with its beautiful colors!!!!

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