http://www.viewbug.com/member/jackwstarret

Jack Starret Photography, Collingwood, ON (2026)

06/11/2023

Black Tern
Tiny Marsh - Tiny, Ontario
May 27th, 2023

Yearly the Black Terns return to Tiny Marsh for Breeding-Season; Theie fairly frequent throughout the remainder of Ontario as well. But not nearly as frequent as it's cousins the Common Tern and Caspian Tern.

"Between 1993 and 1996, an average of 146 Black Tern nests was recorded, with peak totals of 156 in both 1993 and 1995. This is a substantial population for southern Ontario; a Canadian population estimate is unavailable, although a threshold of 50 pairs for significant colonies has been used in one other regional study (Priority Migratory Bird Habitats of Canadas Prairie Provinces - 1990)." - https://www.ibacanada.com/mobile/site.jsp?siteID=ON025&siteID=ON025

Over the years - the numbers Black Terns have surely dropped. The highest-count Ive noticed reported for this season is 12, equating to 6 Breeding-pairs, Potentially.

Certainly Sad.

Black Tern
May 27th, 2023
Tiny Marsh - Tiny, Ontario

06/10/2023

Semipalmated Sandpiper
June 5th, 2023
Collingwood, Ontario

A very small, plump shorebird with a Thin, Straight, Tubular bill - Semipalmated Sandpipers walk slowly through mudflats and wetlands, rapidly and continuously pecking or probing for tiny invertebrate prey.

Semipalmated Sandpipers nest in low tundra, usually not far from marshes or ponds. They use both dry upland habitats and lowland heath, in areas with a mix of sedges, grasses, mosses, willows, birch, and berry plants. They rarely nest in areas devoid of plants. In preparation for migration, they gather into flocks in shallow-water mudflats or lakeshores.

The Semipalmated Sandpiper spends its non-breeding season all the way down along the Coasts of South America and as far northward as the Caribbean Islands and the south-end of the Gulf of Mexico.
Their Breeding Grounds are all the way up in the Arctic, with the southern-most location typically being the shores of Hudsons Bay in Ontario and Quebec.

"Migrating birds stop over at sewage ponds, ephemeral wetlands (rain pools), beaches, tidal mudflats and sandbars, and freshwater impoundments with shallow margins. On their tropical wintering grounds, they mainly use tidal flats near rivermouths, bays, and estuaries." - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Semipalmated_Sandpiper/overview

Its incredible to imagine such a small bird; At only 5.1 - 6 Inches tall, and 20-32 Grams in weight, completing a journey of (at least) 3,224km.
(Roughly the Distance from Havana, Cuba to in-between Fort Albany, Ontario and Moosonee, Ontario on Hudsons Bay).

Semipalmated Sandpiper
June 5th, 2023
Collingwood, Ontario

06/09/2023

After my earlier Post of the Tricoloured Heron; I couldn't resist but share this shot as well - There's just something about seeing Nottawasaga Island and our Beautiful Lighthouse standing tall in the distance behind such a remarkable species!

Have a great weekend everybody!

I hope you're all doing well.

All the best, Jack.

Tricoloured Heron
June 4th, 2023

06/09/2023

Tricoloured Heron
June 4th, 2023
Collingwood, Ontario

Continuing on what has been a remarkable year for Vagrant Birds in Simcoe County; We were blessed on June 3rd with the arrival of a Tricoloured Heron along a Local Waterfront Trail and well-frequented Biding Hotspot here in Collingwood.

There's just something remarkable about these random occurrences - being able to lay in the mud and watch as this incredibly-unique bird made its way along the shoreline; Hunting whenever it could was truly something.
And although the experience could easily be obtained through a plane ticket and some adventure, Having it happen here at home in Collingwood is simply, In more ways than one, Priceless!

And too, Its always a great time gathering with other Local (And not so local) birders during these stakeouts. It surely is amazing.

"The Tricolored Heron occurs in eastern and southern North America, Central America, the West Indies and South America.

The Tricoloured Heron's North American nesting range is along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coast from south Maine through Texas. Inland nesting occurs rarely and with varying success at inland sites such as South Carolina (Belser and Post 1987), West Texas, Kansas, South Dakota (Frederick 1997). It nests along both coasts of Mexico, Central America, the Greater Antilles and the Virgin Islands, and coastal South America to the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil on the Atlantic coast and to central Peru (Lima) on the Pacific coast." - https://www.heronconservation.org/herons-of-the-world/list-of-herons/tricolored-heron/

Another incredible Species to add to my Life List and a remarkable experience for the memory bank!

Tricoloured Heron
June 4th, 2023
Collingwood, Ontario

06/01/2023

What is a hyperabundant species?

A species is considered hyperabundant when its population has grown too large for the natural area to support it, and/or when it negatively affects species at risk. Native species can become hyperabundant due to a combination of factors,
including the introduction of alien species, absence of natural controls (e.g.,
predators, competitors, parasites and disease), artificially high food abundance, improved survival or expanded range as a result of climate change.

Pictured are hyperabundant cormorant nests on Middle Island.

Learn more: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/pelee/nature/conservation/surabondantes-hyperabundant

05/27/2023

Dunlin
Whites Bay - Collingwood, Ontario
May 20th, 2023

It’s Shorebird Season!

Shorebirds of any kind are one of my favourite Subjects to photograph.

“Dazzling in its breeding finery, with vivid rusty back and black belly patch, the Dunlin was once called the Red-backed Sandpiper. It’s now named for its nonbreeding plumage, a mousy gray-brown or “dun” color. Dunlin are an abundant species that nests around the world’s arctic regions. They winter in large flocks along bays, estuaries, and coastlines. They have notably long, curved bills but they don’t probe deeply into mud; instead they tend to feed on invertebrates just barely below the surface.”

Living nearby the shores of Georgian Bay offer the opportunity to come across many unique Shorbs, from yearly visitors to vagrants alike.
It’s truly something!

Have a stellar weekend everybody.
Thank you for taking the time to view my work!

All the best, Jack

Dunlin
May 20th, 2023

05/26/2023

Tiffany Falls
Spring 2019

Tiffany Falls - One of my favourite Waterfalls to shoot in Ontario!

The area provides a link between the green space corridor along the Niagara Escarpment through the Hamilton urban area, and the extensive natural areas of the Dundas Valley.

“Tiffany Falls Conservation Area is considered a significant natural area. Its bedrock exposures are considered an Earth Science Area of Regional Significance.The central feature of the conservation area is the two waterfalls within it, Tiffany Falls and Washboard Falls, formed by Tiffany Creek.
The highly significant animal, insect, reptile and plant species found within the conservation area include the Purple Clematis, the Hickory Hairstreak butterfly, the Northern Ringneck Snake and the Louisiana Waterthrush” - https://conservationhamilton.ca/conservation-areas/tiffany-falls/

Tiffany Falls - Hamilton, Ontario
Spring 2019

05/25/2023

Great Horned Owlet
May 19th, 2020

Following up yesterdays Eastern-Screech Owlet post I thought I’d post another Owlet moment!

This one coming in May 2020, We met up with a group of friends from the Photography Community and made the small Trek in to what remained of a Woodlot (As it was being skimmed for development) up in Blue Mountain. In the weeks prior My Mom and I had discovered a Great Horned Owlet still in-nest along a newly developed trail system, The conditions weren’t great that evening for Photos. But I was determined to head back up in hopes of Capturing Something!

Here is the result!

A big thanks to Rico Forlini for switching out his 500mm Prime with me for my 100-400mm for these shots - such remarkable clarity!

Great Horned Owlet
May 19th, 2020
Town of the Blue Mountains, Ontario

05/24/2023

Eastern-Screech Owl
May 28th, 2018

A throwback to the First group of Eastern-Screech Owl’s my mom and I ever came across - Back in May of 2018.

Photographed below is one of the Adults of the group - Which while still being protective of their 4-Owlets, Gave me the opportunity to snap some photos and continue about my evening!

One of my “Hook moments” for Birding!

Eastern-Screech Owl
Collingwood, Ontario
May 28th, 2018

05/23/2023

A shot that I couldn’t help but post, a Gray Catbird putting on a small display for me.

While out for a walk along a trail system along the Poplar Sideroad we came across this calm Gray Catbird; Preening away and enjoying a beautiful afternoon.

“Follow the sound into thickets and vine tangles and you’ll be rewarded by a somber gray bird with a black cap and bright rusty feathers under the tail. Gray Catbirds are relatives of mockingbirds and thrashers, and they share that group’s vocal abilities, copying the sounds of other species and stringing them together to make their own song.”
- Allaboutbirds.org

While often often very discrete, this one presented itself on a nice, open, perch for me to photograph.

You can’t help but love those Russet Coloured Tail Feathers.

Gray Catbird
Collingwood, Ontario
May 23rd, 2023

05/23/2023

Wilson Carbide Ruins
July 10th, 2018

Nestled in the forest on the shore of Meech Lake in Gatineau Parc (Gatineau, Quebec), the ruins have a unique history.

“Thomas “Carbide” Wilson made a name for himself in 1892 when he essentially created the process by which we create calcium carbide, an important industrial chemical. But as he continued trying to create chemical innovations, Willson built the summer home/laboratory which still stands in Gatineau Park (although as a hollowed out ruin). — Some say that Willson built his summer home and other structures deep in the woods due to a paranoid fear of competitors stealing his ideas, yet whatever the reason, the multi-story structure was lavish for the time. — Willson died of a heart attack in 1915, but his grand dream of a sylvan home and lab still stands in what is now Gatineau Park."

The dead-eyed buildings still draw a number of photographers and sightseers although very little of the bucolic site speaks to its history of acids, chemicals, and fertilizers."
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/carbide-willson-ruins

Wilson Carbide Ruins
Gatineau Park, Quebec
July 10th, 2018

05/22/2023

This is one I never expected to be posting!

Limpkin

While not a great photograph by any means - Certainly an amazing moment for me (and any other Ontario Birder that got to experience this, truly!).

On Saturday Morning a Limpkin was reported in a Simcoe County Wetland - Mainly a Species from South America, but sometimes appearing as far North as Florida (The KEY words there being AS FAR NORTH as FLORIDA)- "The gangly, brown-and-white Limpkin looks a bit like a giant rail or perhaps a young night-heron. Its long bill is bent and twisted at the tip, an adaptation for removing snails from the shell. Limpkins are tropical wetland birds whose range reaches into Florida. They specialize in eating apple snails, which they hunt both day and night, and they often leave telltale piles of snail shells at the edges of freshwater wetlands where hunting is good"

This was only the 2nd recorded report of a Limpkin in Canada - and although I wasn't the person to find it, I am surely happy to have been able to do a small journey into a local(ish)-swamp and enjoy this remarkable species!

Limpkin - Simcoe County, Ontario
May 20th, 2023

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