Bob Bell 🇨🇦

Fun, and gorgeous. Ok feisty and gorgeous! Not fair that in this part of North America we only get one species of hummer!

Thanks!

A birdy day! Congrats!

Thank you!

Northern Saw-whet Owl, bent over, checking out something on the ground

Northern Saw-whet Owl batting its eyes at me. Looks like it has blue eyeshadow

When I posted the Northern Saw-whet Owl on Saturday, I mentioned that it kept looking straight down - something on the ground had its interest. Here's a shot of that, and one after it closed its eyes, looking like it is wearing blue eyeshadow! #birds #birding #HamOnt #owl

Wow!

Thanks for the repost, and kind words!

🤣

Thanks GG!

Two ducks swimming in calm water in front of a grassy bank, which is reflected in the water. The female is in the foreground, in profile view looking to the right, while the male is the reverse, in the back looking left. His hood is not flared up.

It was nice of this pair of Hooded Mergansers to stop by our pond on the weekend. #Birds #birding #ducks #Ancaster #HamOnt #Bobsbackyard

I got lucky seeing the NSWO, but I haven't seen one LEOW, my fave owl. Last year I saw lots of them.

Yes!

Thanks Glen. They're gorgeous!

Decoding Bird Names with Bob Bell - BurlingtonGreen Date:Thursday, March 12th, 2026Time: 7pmLocation: Zoom Webinar

Just a reminder that I'll be giving a talk on bird names on Thursday, March 12th at 7 pm. You can register with the host, @burlingtongreen.bsky.social, using the link below:

www.burlingtongreen.org/events/decod...
#birds

A King Eider swimming away from me in royal blue, choppy water. His head is turned so that he's looking to the left, showing off his black-and-white plumage accented by a red-and-orange bill, pearl-blue crown, and spring-green cheek (thanks Cornell for this wonderful description!).

A King Eider in profile view, swimming away from me in royal blue, choppy water. He has black-and-white plumage accented by a red-and-orange bill, pearl-blue crown, and spring-green cheek (thanks Cornell for this wonderful description!). There are two tiny black "sails" projecting from his back.

A King Eider in profile view, looking towards the left, swimming in royal blue, choppy water. He has black-and-white plumage accented by a red-and-orange bill, pearl-blue crown, and spring-green cheek (thanks Cornell for this wonderful description!).

Hail to the king - the King Eider is a spectacular duck! #birds #birding #ducks

Too funny!!

Right on! Funny you say that. On Thursday I'm giving a Zoom talk on bird names, and one that I mention is the saw-whet!

Thank you!

Thanks! Yes, it was in the Hamilton area. Although most are seen N of Kitchener and Guelph, a few usually come down here. Seems like most winters there is one around Bronte Harbour in Oakville. I once saw one at LaSalle in Burlington, and last year I saw one south of Hamilton in Haldimand county.

🦉🤣

Love snow buntings!

Crown jewel! Hope you get to see one too.

Thanks! I might as well delete almost every previous photo - this was by far my best encounter with one.

A tiny saw-whet owl perched on a horizontal branch of a coniferous tree, with a larger branch just above its head, creating a frame. It is in profile view, but has its head turned and is looking directly at me with its yellow eyes

Whenever I'm lucky enough to find a Northern Saw-whet Owl, they are usually sound asleep. This one was awake and active, looking around, especially straight down - something on the ground had its interest. #birds #birding #HamOnt #owl

I had basically given up on them!

Thanks very much, Rob!

A redpoll perched on a bare branch, on profile view looking to the right. The background is blurred out white. It has a small red cap and a faint pink blush on its breast.

A redpoll perched on a bare branch, on profile view looking straight up. The background is blurred out white. It has a small red cap and a faint pink blush on its breast.

A redpoll perched on a bare branch, on profile view looking to the left. The background is blurred out white. It has a small red cap and a faint pink blush on its breast.

Since the winter finch forecast has fizzled out, I wasn't expecting to see Redpolls this winter. I was delighted to happen upon a few last week. Missing the winter of 2021 when I had about 50 at my feeders for months! #birds #birding #finch #redpoll

Thanks!

A flock of redheads swimming in grayish-blue water, with ice behind the. Mostly males, with a few females. They are more or less lined up parallel with the edge of the ice.

A flock of redheads swimming in grayish-blue water, with ice behind the. Mostly males, with a few females. A handful have formed two parallel lines swimming towards me.

I got my ducks in a row, more or less. Lots of Redheads this year! #birds #birding #ducks #redheads

Yes to both cats (indoor/catio ones) and birds!