gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

I headed out once again on Wednesday May 31, 2023, to explore in Oxford County Ontario, once again. My trip started out in Otterville Park where the trail starts at the back of the pool and is either an out and back or you could do a small loop for a total of about three miles. The shots of the trail here came as I was leaving where I got to watch a beaver forage around for about 20 minutes

From there I headed to Patullo walking trail which is about 1.25-mile circular walk thru some old growth forest. There were fifteen varied species of birds that I was able to see in here, but photo opportunities were harder to come by as most of these birds stayed up high in the canopy. In here you will be able to listen to the melodic song of the Wood Thrush as they sing their hearts out. Shot of the day here must be the dragonfly (Prince Baskettail I think) that stopped by while I was sitting listening to the Wood Thrush.

I then headed to the west portion of Pittock Trail for a quick 1.5-mile hike due to so many mosquitos. Lots of birds and lots of great photo opportunities to be had with a diverse pick of bird species. Shot of the day here is a toss-up between seven baby ducklings sunning themselves and one of many American Redstarts seen along the trail.

I ended the day exploring a new trail to me that has opened in the past couple of years out at the entrance to Pittock Park on Pittock Park Road called The Silver Park Trail. Hats off to whomever is designing this trail as it is stupendous, and I was able to get in a 2.5-mile hike. The diversity of habitat as you walk this trail is simply amazing and the way the trail is designed is to allow all participants to pick the distance they wish to travel as there are multiple loops just like a chain. The trail is not finished yet as when you get to the very back there is a section that is closed off as it looks like they must complete yet another loop. The area is partly made up of an old gravel pit with a couple of ponds and spill ponds built for the subdivision added in, there are a couple sections of older growth pine forests that offer a cool walk in the shade, as you travel thru as well as old growth deciduous forest. Some great photo opportunities can be had with a variety of birds being seen throughout the area. Shots of the day here would be a tossup between the Great-crested Flycatchers of which I seen eight and the Indigo Buntings of which I had seen at least ten.

I have now had the Nikon z50 for about three weeks, it is a great mirrorless camera for anyone looking to get into photography or even anyone looking for a light walk around rig. Teamed up with the Sigma 100-400 I find that the combination has made a great light, portable bird and wildlife combination that will not break the bank account or your back. They combine to work fantastically handheld and have allowed me at least to once again be able to get out and not just enjoy the camera but the opportunity to just walk and enjoy nature around me. I am still struggling with in flight shots but a lot of that comes down to knowing instinctively what to do with my d3 or d300 to simply flip a switch to quickly change focus areas but that was developed over quite a few years and it will take some time to get use to using a function button and dial to flip between focus areas. As the savings grow, I would eventually like to pick up some of Nikon's mirrorless glass and see what kinds of improvements that could possibly make as well till that time I will simply get out and enjoy what I have.

Lots to see and explore right here in Oxford County and even Woodstock itself, so get out and enjoy your own local opportunities in your own areas as life is precious.

Thanks for taking a moment or two out of your day to take a glimpse into mine.

Greg

Challenging fellow to photograph as he was in a deep shaded area

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Had to stop for a snack

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My company as I listened to the Wood Thrush

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I would have to guess this is a young male Cardinal just coming into his color

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Hairy Woodpecker took a second out of its day to pose for me

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Cuteness overload

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American Redstart actually came out of the thicket to pose for a quick second

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Great-crested Flycatcher at the top of a pine in the late evening sun

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

You had a good day.

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

I try to get out once it twice a week or allows me to just dismiss all the day to day complications of living with my numerous medical issues and becoming disabled after 42 years of working hard on the farm to feeling almost useless somedays

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

A beautiful and well recorded excursion, Greg! Are you shooting handheld?

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Thank you and yes everything is handheld.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Great set!!!

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Fantastic set of shots. Nice variety. If interested, your dragon is a female Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia). Well done!
>i< Doc

MBW66 Loc: NH, USA

Great shots demonstrating the capabilities of the Z50. I found this lens on B&H: Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Nikon F. Is this the one you are using with the converter for the Z mount?

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good series.

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Yes that is the same lens that these photos were shot with.....thank you

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Thanks

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Thanks very much and thank you for the id on the dragonfly

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

Thank you

MBW66 Loc: NH, USA

Thanks. Looks like a nice lens.

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

I find that it works great for me