Every year in the late spring, migratory songbirds pour into Point Pelee during their yearly journey back to North America. Because the songbirds arrive from their travels exhausted and ravenous, the first few days after they land, they spend their time close to the ground where food is plentiful. Once they have rested and stuffed their bellies, they scatter across the North to breed and aren’t overly visible to humans. This makes their entrance into North America very special for rare viewing opportunities.
Point Pelee is a prime migratory entrance into North America. Many people visit during this annual natural event. The best birding trails are mostly peppered with serious birders who, like the birds, travel from around the world every year to gather there for a few short weeks. I have been fortunate enough to attend the last three years with Miles. Almost no dogs are on the trails, and my guess is because the experience might be pretty tedious for dogs — it involves long hours of quiet diligent walking on narrow trails.
This year, Miles & I were accepted as a birding pair! Maybe the first human/dog birding pair at Point Pelee?
I am really excited to share my birding photos from this year! Most of these birds are very rare and their populations are threatened. I’ve tried to ID as many as possible, but by all means, comment below if you know more than I do! My biggest question is, which bird is your favorite? They all have such different personalities, I am curious which birds everyone picks!
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OH MY GOODNESS! These GORGEOUS photos of beautiful songbirds are really exciting to see and to study. The nest with three blue robin eggs is full of joy and hope. It is truly hard to pick a favorite, but I have always loved red cardinals because my family believed they were spiritual and sighting one was sure to bring good fortune. Plus cardinals are monogamous and bring a spirit of love around you when you find a pair. Given your post, I have since looked them up. The notion that cardinals are messengers of spirit exists across many cultures and beliefs. The word cardinal comes from the Latin word cardo, meaning hinge or axis. Like a door’s hinge, the cardinal is the hinge on the doorway between Earth and Spirit. They carry messages back and forth. When I see them now, I know my late parents and grandparents are sending me messages of love and protection. I get so excited when I see them dart across my path on a trail, and I focus on telling them I hear them and love them. It has been written that if you believe cardinals are messengers from Spirit, then the next time you see one who is insisting on getting your attention, ask yourself these questions: What or who were you thinking of at that moment? Did you ask for guidance from Spirit or ask for help finding the answer to an important question? You should allow your cardinal sightings to bring you a feeling of peace. Know that Spirit is listening. Let red cardinal visits remind you that Spirit always guides and protects you. Above all, don’t forget to thank your cardinal friends and Spirit for their guidance. South American cardinals are in the Tanager family; hence, in your photos the Red Tanager is my favorite. Thank you, Emma, for focusing on this messenger for me!!! ❤️
Thank you for your deeply thoughtful comment Denise! I was getting worried you didn’t realize they weren’t cardinals, until I read further! Cardinals are special to me too, as they were my Nana’s favorite bird. I agree how special they are. Scarlet Tanagers are such bright birds, that the camera can barely handle them. They take the cardinal red to a whole new fluorescent level! I am glad this message could be sent your way… I am so happy you enjoyed.
Beautiful birds and photos
Thank you thank you thank you! I am happy you liked the gallery!
Greetings, Emma, from the midwest (Indiana). I don’t often comment, but these photos are magnificent. We may be a fly-over state for these birds, but I thank you for a visual treat. I’m sure our common American Robins appreciated being included in your line up of most beautiful birds:-).
The color was simply glorious…I just don’t know what else to say, except great job and Thank you!
The most common birds at Point Pelee are Red-winged Blackbirds. Even though they actually have a pretty song and are interesting looking, they are so rampant and bossy that we are all tired of them! However, the American Robins are just so sweet, and are so active raising their families during the migration, that I have a big soft spot for their place in this event.
I really appreciate your enjoyment and comment!! Tell me about your dog 🙂
Absolutely amazing photos Emma! Your next job will be with National Geographic! ? Thanks for sharing all.
Susan you are too kind! I am so happy you enjoyed the photos!!!
What beautiful and vibrant birdies and we didn’t know there were so many different kinds of Warblers! No way can we pick a favorite.
I couldn’t agree more!!!
Thank you, Emma. For years, I have enjoyed your animated and compassionate photos of Miles. You have always captured so much of his personality, moods, and reactions to things and the humor and dignity of his way of being in the world. You’ve done that again here with these magnificent photographs. They are so detailed and clear and well composed, capturing not only the birds, but the splendour of their relation to their surroundings. Beyond that, you have given us a way to see some of the dignity, vitality, and intelligence of their lives, just as you have always done with Miles. An incredible accomplishment.
Thank you for your very kind words, I am honored.
Love love love your bird photos! The tiny hummingbirds are my favorite. They are so small, so beautiful, so mighty! Also love the pic of Miles straddling the rocks looking for vermin. Super cute. Alll of the birds you took photos of are amazingly colored.. well the males.. beautiful. I’m afraid Sally might bark. She is fascinated by and tolerates most birds, and knows she can’t catch them. But some birds she opposed to. She’s angry at sea gulls. They swoop down too close. And she seems to hate crows, ravens rooks… all black birds. When she sees a crow she’ll run at it, chasing it off, as she thinks it should be elsewhere. Haha. She’d be heck in a bird sanctuary!
Love your stuff!!
Once at Regionals, a crow landed on the fence during Miles’ gamble course. Because gamble is distance, Miles had ample visual opportunity to see the crow, so naturally, he took off to bark at it! Crows are so bossy and loud!
I am so pleased you enjoy the gallery Darcy!
Wow Emma! Those are amazing photos! I met someone else from Ottawa that was going to Point Pelee this spring for birdwatching – maybe you met her! This sounds like both an amazing experience and an exercise in patience 🙂
I love all the vibrant blue birds, but my favorite is the rose-breasted grosbeak. One ended up in our yard in Saskatchewan one year when I was growing up (not in its usual range I don’t think) and we loved watching it because it was so much bigger and more vibrant than any of the sparrows we were used to. It also reminded us of the puppet, Chester, on Mr. Dress-up, and so we called him Chester. I was sad when he moved on from our area.
Thanks for sharing your photos with us!
That is incredible that a grosbeak landed in your yard! They almost look like little parrots to me.
I don’t know Mr. Dress-up, is that a Canadian kids show? I am going to google it now!
You should come to the Festival some time, it is truly incredible. I’d love to tour it with you, Andrew, and Oliver! Plus you’d have a place to stay with my family!
Wonderful photos. You are so talented.
Thank you Ben ❤️ That means a lot to me!
YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHER AS WELL AS AN EXCELLENT DOG TRAINER. I ENJOY YOUR COMMENTARY MAINLY BECAUSE I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD WELSH TERRIER; THIS IS MY SECOND WELSH & IN MY MIND THERE IS NO OTHER KIND OF DOG!! (JUST KIDDING). I FOLLOW YOUR POSTS ON MY COMPUTER. THANKS !!!!!!
Thank you Bernie! I am so happy you found this site and I am really happy to see your comment! Keep commenting, I look forward to hearing more of your reactions! I feel the same as you about the breed, they have so much personality and if they are the right fit, they are just endless joy!
Hi Emma,
Beautiful photos. Another of your many talents. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed them Rick!
Oh, Em, what an incredible collection. The birds are wondrous, fascinating, beautiful — it’s impossible to choose a favourite — and the images are just mind-blowingly stunning. Yay, Emma and Miles, best birding team ever!! (LOVED recognizing the birdies we saw together the day I visited!) THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Didi xo
Thank you Didi! The close-ups of the Prothonotary Warblers are from the day you went with, when I walked off for a bit on my own. Now can you see the only thing that would make me separate momentarily from walking with you guys, hehe!
Wonderful pictures ! Didi sent me your link. I live very close to Rondeau Park and walk there daily. I have seen a lot of the birds that you have photographed but except for a few, did not know their names. I now have a reference . My mother’s favourite bird was the cardinal and I have always looked for one on my walks and always think of her when I see one. Since my husband passed away I also think of him. The only bird song that I can recognize is that of the cardinal and not a day goes by that I don’t see one or at the least hear one. It was so comforting to read the post about the cardinal being a spirit !
Thank you so much for your wonderful pictures of the birds but also of your dog. George and I had an Airedale at one point in our many years of owning a dog. He was a bit crazy but very cute ! Thanks again. Nina
Nina, I am so happy you enjoyed the photos. The area you live in sounds so wonderful, Didi tells me how beautiful it is frequently.
I am honored that you like the pictures of Miles! I had no idea you had an Airedale before! That description sounds bang-on…!
Thank you for your comment Nina.
Gorgeous photos Emma! I especially like the ones with the birds in motion: beaks open, wing a-flutter… If I was more informed I could tell you which ones by naming the birds, but alas….