NORTHERN RIVER Images

Some images from a lifer for me with the female being capturedi in my home town and the male in a city 20 minutes away on two different days. The Summer Tanager is one of North America's most striking songbirds, bringing vibrant colour and cheerful songs to woodlands and forest edges each spring. Known for its brilliant plumage, this species is often called the only completely red bird found in much of its breeding range. Male Summer Tanagers are especially eye-catching. Their feathers display a rich, rosy-red colour from head to tail, making them easy to recognize during the breeding season. Females, however, wear a more subtle appearance. Their plumage ranges from olive-yellow to mustard-yellow, providing excellent camouflage while nesting and caring for young. Each spring, Summer Tanagers undertake a remarkable migration. They spend the winter in Mexico, Central America, and parts of northern South America before travelling north to breeding grounds across the southern and eastern United States. As temperatures warm and insects become plentiful, these birds arrive ready to establish territories and raise families. Nesting typically occurs in open woodlands, pine forests, and areas with scattered trees. Females build shallow cup-shaped nests from grasses, twigs, and other plant materials, usually placing them on horizontal branches high above the ground. A typical clutch contains three to five eggs, which the female incubates while the male helps defend the territory. Summer Tanagers are skilled insect hunters and are particularly famous for catching bees and wasps in mid-air. Before eating these insects, they carefully remove the stinger by rubbing the prey against a branch. Their diet also includes beetles, caterpillars, and various fruits later in the season. With their brilliant colours, fascinating migration journeys, and dedicated nesting habits, Summer Tanagers are a welcome sign of spring and summer. Birdwatchers eagerly await their return each year, knowing that these colourful visitors add beauty and life to the landscapes they inhabit. 😊

May is an exciting time for black bears in Ontario, especially in and around Algonquin Provincial Park. After spending the winter in their dens, Black Bears emerge from hibernation hungry and ready to begin feeding. Months of inactivity have depleted their fat reserves, making spring a critical period for finding food. During May, Black Bears feed on a variety of fresh vegetation, including grasses, leaves, buds, and other emerging plants. They may also search for insects, carrion, and other available food sources as they work to regain lost weight. As temperatures warm and food becomes more abundant, Bears spend much of their day foraging. For female Bears, May can be a particularly important month. Cubs born during the winter denning period are now several months old and beginning to explore the world outside the den. Mothers remain highly protective, guiding their cubs to feeding areas and teaching them essential survival skills. As the season progresses, family groups may begin to spend more time apart. Older cubs from previous litters can become separated from their mothers as they gain independence. This natural process helps young Bears establish their own territories and develop the skills needed to survive on their own. Visitors to Algonquin may occasionally spot Black Bears during spring. Observing a Bear in its natural habitat can be a memorable experience, but it is important to keep a safe distance and never approach or feed wildlife. May marks the beginning of an active season. From feeding after hibernation to raising cubs and preparing young Bears for independence, this month plays a vital role in the annual life cycle. The highlight of this experience was observing the Mom (single image) and two cubs, but also a single year female now on her own having been spurned by her Mom.🙂

The June blog post has arrived.

Black Bears In June — Northern River Images June is one of the most active, and misunderstood, times of year for Black Bears in Ontario. Forests are lush, food sources are expanding, and adult Bears are moving more than they have in months. Understanding what Bears are doing in June especially around mating, food, and behaviour, can make all

We recently visited one of our favourite resorts in Dwight on the side of a beautiful lake. One of the visitor we encountered was several White-crowned Sparrow. The White-crowned Sparrow is a striking songbird that can be recognized by the bold black-and-white stripes on its head. Although it breeds mainly in northern Canada and Alaska, this species is a common migrant throughout Ontario during spring and fall. Birdwatchers often spot White-crowned Sparrows resting in fields, gardens, parks, and woodland edges as they travel between their breeding and wintering grounds. During migration, these sparrows rely on habitats that provide shelter and abundant food. Their diet consists mainly of seeds from grasses and weeds, making them important consumers of native plants. They also eat insects, especially during the breeding season, when protein-rich food supports growth and reproduction. In Ontario, migrating White-crowned Sparrows can often be seen scratching through leaf litter in search of seeds and small invertebrates. The plumage of the White-crowned Sparrow changes with age. Adults display crisp black-and-white crown stripes, while young birds have brown-and-tan stripes that help camouflage them from predators. Their gray face and breast, along with a pink or yellowish bill, make them easy to identify. As a seasonal visitor, the White-crowned Sparrow is a welcome sign of migration and the changing seasons across Ontario.🙂

May is an exciting month in Algonquin Provincial Park as the Broad-winged Hawk returns to Ontario’s forests after spending the winter in Central and South America. These small, compact Hawks are well known for their spectacular migrations. During spring migration, birdwatchers often spot Broad-winged Hawks soaring high overhead in groups called “kettles,” using warm air currents to glide northward with very little effort. Once they arrive in Algonquin, mating season begins. Broad-winged Hawks form monogamous pairs and usually return to the same nesting territory each year. Courtship displays can be dramatic, with males circling high above the forest canopy while calling loudly and performing steep dives to impress females. Nest building follows soon after, with both birds helping to construct a stick nest high in mature trees, often near wetlands or quiet woodland clearings. Food is especially important during this season because the hawks need energy for nesting and raising young. Broad-winged Hawks are skilled hunters that feed on a variety of small animals. Their diet includes mice, voles, frogs, snakes, insects, and small birds. They often hunt from hidden perches, such as the one shown, silently watching the forest floor before swooping down on prey. The return of the Broad-winged Hawk is one of the many signs that spring has fully arrived in Algonquin. Their graceful flight, haunting calls, and important role in the forest ecosystem make them a fascinating species for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.🙂

The February blog post has arrived.

February is for Family — Northern River Images February is a sacred pause in the wheel of the year. It is not loud or celebratory, yet it holds profound spiritual weight. Resting between the deep sleep of winter and the first stirring of spring, February invites us into a quieter relationship with the Earth, with our families, and with ourselves