Friday, June 14, 2013

Scenes, Wildflowers, Turkey Vultures, Black Bears, and Birds Of The Vermilon River.

 This is a very long post, so I suggest you use the slide show, by clicking any photo. Although there are comments throughout the post that you might want to read. This is a compilation post in that the bear, and the vulture shots were taken at Rockcliff Lake, part of the uninhabited chain (most are uninhabited) that starts with Mystic Lake. But instead of the ridge, I'm on the road which leads to the Aboriginal Reserve where there is a good, licensed restaurant which makes great omelets; a fine finish to a hike ,and a great addition to the wilderness. I'll probably make a video about this area next. Opposite The River flowing south.



Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Female Redstart

Immature Robin


 Obviously a Black Bear. Likely a young female her first year alone in the woods ( by size). Males are released later by the mother owing to the threat of full grown males who will kill them over territory infringements. I had to change the lens, and I loss sight of her, not a good move. They can move very fast, and this time of year they're hungry, and cranky as the berries are not out. In fact, those are weeds hanging out of her mouth,so she's eating a lot of grass. Boom would have known exactly where she was, and stepped in if she came our way. He did that once when we walked into a female and her cubs in Town just after my accident. He merely stepped in front of me, flexed his muscle, and showed his teeth. She and the cubs turned,and left. Hard to believe from a dog who was every one's friend.


Song Sparrow

Tree Swallow

 This is a Spring Azure about the side of your finger nail. I was complaining in a previous post about never getting a shot with open wings.
On her way- look at that back paw.

Coy Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Chipping Sparrow

Wild Chives.

Female Redstart

Turkey Vulture.

Guardian parent

Geese and goslings

Geese in Flight

Turkey Vultures

Unknown

Immature Robin

Song Sparrow

Tree Swallow

Tiger Swallowtail

Tree Swallow

Vetch

A convention of Turkey Vultures

Tiger Swallowtail

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Female Redstart

Azure

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Female Redstart

 I have no idea what these vultures are up to. I cannot get into that area as it's boggy, and the banks are too steep for me. If that's not enough you have to climb around a water fall, so getting down there is out for me.

Swallowtail


Turkey Vultures

Male and Female Ring necked Duck

Female Redstart

Azure

River bend

Blue Jay

Highbush Cranberry buds

 I have no idea what this is other than a really colourful moth. I'll have to do some searching. I couldn't find it exactly, but I'm wondering if it's a clear wing or hummingbird moth in some early stage of development.
 Some Geese have goslings and others are still in huge flocks. I think it is a strange year.
Wild Chives.

Contemplative Robin

Cranberry Blooms

Female Redstart

Goar's Beard

Another sentinel.

Mom and  Dad

Unknown

In flight Turkey Vulture

Mourning Cloak

Tree Swallow

Raven in strange light

River

River inlet

Azure

Swallowtail

Tree Swallow

Vetch

Turkey Vulture

Wild Strawberry

Wild Violets


 A post to: i'd rather b birdinOur World Tuesday, and WBW. Below a Red-winged Blackbird.By the way, I'm still thinking of a meme for video's. Feel free to comment.Video 2 I've linked this site to show you what I mean.


64 comments:

  1. Great series, Gary! I love the birds, butterflies and the blooms. And the Black Bear is my favorite. Wonderful photos.

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  2. Gay, your unknown plant is Honeysuckle. Love all the many, many birds you have around you and what a thrill/fright to see a bear up close. You were such a special person to Boomer, that he is still protecting you.
    Hugs . . . Arija

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  3. Hi Gary

    Neat that you were able to get the photos of the bear. I always find Turkey Vultures fascinating and your had some nice pictures. The moth was quite interesting as well I have never seen one like that.

    All the best
    Guy

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  4. Spectacular photos as always! I love visiting your blog.

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  5. Wow! An impressive series of shots.

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  6. always enjoy your sights! LOVE the bear!

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  7. Fantastic shots & splendid variety of life here, Gary. I enjoy reading your long posts!
    We usually see a lot of bears out by the road ditches foraging there when we travel up to Pickle Lake in June. Especially between Sioux Lookout & Savant Lake.
    Your little she-bear reminds me of one we came across.. http://ourfunwithfive.blogspot.com/2011/06/blue-lake-rocky-shore-canada-2011.html

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  8. So many great shots! That bear is my favorite though!

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  9. These are gorgeous shots, Gary! Love your butterfly photos as I have been waiting to see some myself..

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  10. Wow, superb photos, I so like the reflection one with large rocks at each side. Bears, yes, Boom is right there in spirit.As always, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful part of the world with us, hope the cafe stop served something delicious. Greetings, Jean.

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  11. A wonderful journey with those photographs. I like that Vetch flower very much. Being so close to a bear would have my knees knocking.

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  12. Adore the immature robin, the mourning cloak and the back paw of the bear! A fascinating series of photos!

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  13. Another fabulous post. Wonderful photos. I love the bear and the moth.

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  14. Oh those bird photos...I'm wondering if they're the ones I saw here in Texas a little over a month ago as they made their way up into your 'neck of the woods'. I know, I know...more than highly impossible.

    Great images Gary. Those bear photos are marvelous too. When I was a young one, in Yellowstone Park on the Montana side of the area, I was chased by a mama bear. I got too close to her cubs [which I didn't see] that were up a tree, playing.

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  15. Gary, it might be a long post but worth the effort. Another super series from your wanderings.

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  16. Great commentary and great pictures too Gary. That bear sure looks scary but not the handsome little Chipper.

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  17. Beautiful slide show, Gary!

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  18. Amazing shots - and wow, a bear! So close. Lovely shot!

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  19. Great shots of the birds, Bears and other wildlife. I love the story of Boomer standing in front of you when you saw a bear and cubs. He was a great friend and protector and I know you miss him.

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  20. You take such amazing shots especially the ones of the bear.

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  21. Another great series of photos. As always - the river is so beautiful!

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  22. i learned something new today - vetch - they are plentiful around here and i never knew their name, until now.

    thanks for the weekly bird watching and the nature teachings.

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  23. Ein wunderbares "Bilderbuch" deiner Heimat!!!!!!
    Gruß Luis

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  24. Nice photos, these images of wildlife are very good!

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  25. Great shots! Love the bear and the story about the bear and the dog :)

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  26. Love the chestnut-sided warbler. I've been seeing quite a few redstarts too.

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  27. Great shots, interesting about your bear and your dog.

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  28. You have such a variety of species - great shots of birds and blooms. Gary, I was sorry to read about Boomer - my condolences.

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  29. Great series of shots, Gary. I can tell you miss Boomer a LOT!

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  30. Looks, you are missing Boomer badly....

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  31. It did indeed break my heart to read about Boomer! I do know the hurt having just lost my dog of 17 years!! Beautiful captures as always!

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  32. I enjoyed seeing your wildlife photos, especially the young bear. I was walking on a trail near my house recently and came upon a mother bear and her two cubs in a tree! They were asleep. Now I make sure to look up where ever I walk!

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  33. Fantastic photos! And interesting to read about the meeting with the bear.

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  34. I can believe that you have bears just wandering about - see them must be a highlight!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  35. You were right about long bit brilliant photo's

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  36. You have so many different birds ! Beautiful pictures !

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  37. You live in a fantastic wilderness!

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  38. Another beautiful series Gary. Your 'unknown' is a wild honeysuckle bush. So glad to hear Boomer will help up when danger is near. Bears are fascinating, but you do want to know where they are!

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  39. Marvelous Pics! I have enjoyed experiencing nature & wildlife through your lens!

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  40. Impressive post that looks like a very interesting place.

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  41. So many wonderful photos! I wouldn't like to meet that bear ;)
    I wonder if Azur is what we call a Bluewing?

    http://lundcityphoto.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/meetup-architecture/

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  42. Great series, with a lot of nice photos.
    Like the bear and young birds!
    Greetings Pia

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  43. Gary, your blog is always a treasure trove of nature/beauty.

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  44. It's always amazing to see all your wonderful wildlife Gary... and then you share a bear... speechless!

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  45. Had to laugh about the restaurant at the end. That might persuade Bill to make the hike -- he likes a walk with a goal like that in mind!

    Wonderful pictures. Boom took such good care of you (with that bear for example). you be sure and take good care of yourself now.

    I will be back to look at the slide show and marvel again at your wonderful photography. But I have to go through the post the old-fashioned way first, to see your comments and learn the names of things.

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  46. A terrific series Gary! How great to see a bear!

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  47. You are so privileged to be so accessible to this wilderness teeming with wildlife and wonderful landscapes. But i am a bit scared of that black bear! Your shots are real beautiful and so vivid.

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  48. Turkey Vultures! That's awesome.

    Hazel

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  49. Yep, you're right I guess we were all seeing vultures. :)

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  50. wasn't sure if I'd commented here before; but I enjoyed looking over the photos Gary; a delightful mixed bag full of birds, flora, fauna. The bear; I wouldn't want to get too close ... and I loved seeing the wild violets...

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  51. I loved seeing your views, and wild flowers - but my goodness - I couldn't imagine being this close to a wild bear!
    Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by my blog today.

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  52. What a wonderful place ... the wildlife abounds. You are blessed both with your surroundings and your ability to capture them.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  53. Wonderful series of photos, though the bear looks a little too close for me... :)

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  54. Well, I shall try posting a comment again. Your birding, floral, scenery images are always grand, but the experience of seeing and photographing the Bear...too cool, but would frighten me a bit~

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  55. I saw the bear this time and so much much more! They are so lovely. I grow chives in my yard. It is so handy to have them where I can cut a few and bring them in to add to recipes and fortunately they are very low maintainence and come back year after year.

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  56. Lovely lovely post. I "bearly" had time to comment on the above post as I was so eager to see what you said about your sighting. Great pictures...we've been lucky to see a few bears. Once here at the Oregon coast we watched a young one just a few steps from us, but across a little stream. I was fine with it until Bill wondered out loud where his mother was. We finished our hike and she never showed up. Loved all the other pictures -- and the restaurant at the end of this hike sounds like the perfect ending.

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