Canada Geese, Renews, NL

Yesterday, I drove to the small community of Renews, NL, to see a Great blue Heron that had been seen there lately.  However, upon my arrival I realized that the water was way too high on the tidal flats and the river too rapid for such a bird to fish in.  We had a lot of rain in the past week and with the large amounts of snow over and extended winter into a very late Spring have all culminated into a great run-off of water into our ponds and streams.  This melt-off should subside over another week or two as the warm temperatures forecasted should finally get rid of the snow, once and for all this year!

I did not see the Great Blue Heron after-all out there yesterday, but I did have nice views of the Canada Geese, and a trio of Long-tailed ducks.  Here are a few photos form yesterday's excursion.  I hope you enjoy them.  I nearly froze my fingers off waiting patiently from behind my vehicle as I was utilizing it as a blind, for these birds that are very cautious!
From the number of expelled shotgun shells lining the beach, it is little wonder why!

Green-winged Teal Duck

I was checking out the Quidi Vidi Lake this afternoon and noticed a tiny duck, so small that it stood out like a sore thumb.  But, it was at the ice edge as far from shore as the ice has melted in Apriluary this year!  So, 400mm prime cradled in my arms, I waited.  It swam in many directions for a good while before it met up with the QV, Wood Duck, and was apparently a little smitten with his dapper good looks.  I captured a couple of far off shots of the two of them swimming together, but hand holding a bunch of glass elements of that mass at that distance, well, let's just say that the shot was not tack sharp!  Eventually the little lady did come ashore not too far from where I was standing, and tried unsuccessfully to blend in with a small group of American Black Ducks.  (As you can see, it is a MUCH smaller dabbler than they).

Bonaparte's Gull

This is the Bonaparte's Gull that I photographed, March 26, 2014, at 2:25pm, at Quidi Vidi Lake.

Bonaparte's Gull in the middle of two Black-Headed Gulls of varying stages of breeding plumage!

Black-Headed Gull with Bonaparte's Gull

On the left is a First year, Black-headed Gull.  To it's right, is a Bonaparte's Gull.