BLUE JAY, COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK, TORONTO, ON

   Even though we can't see the blue color because of the lighting, we can ID this bird as a Blue Jay from its crest, dark necklace, pale gray underparts and white belly.

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FEMALE AMERICAN KESTREL, LINCOLN, ON

   We can ID this falcon as a female American Kestrel as follows:

• Size:  We estimated to be about the size of an American Robin.  A kestrel is about 9", while a robin is about 10", so the size is consistent with it being a kestrel.
• The wings are rufous barred of a female, rather than the gray of a male.
• The tail is the barred tail of a female, rather than the single black tip of a male.

CENTENNIAL LILAC GARDEN, NIAGARA FALLS, ON

HOUSE SPARROW, NIAGARA PARKS BOTANICAL GARDEN, NIAGARA FALLS, ON

VIEWS AT NIAGARA PARKS BOTANICAL GARDEN, NIAGARA FALLS, ON

NIAGARA FALLS VIEW FROM OUR ROOM, NIAGARA FALLS, ON

   These photos were taken through the window of our room on the 19th floor of the Marriott Fallsview.  They were taken through the glass window.  It was a spectacular view of the falls.  The last two photos were taken at night.  The American Falls was lit up with multicolored lights.

BREEDING MALE RING-NECKED DUCK, NIAGARA RIVER, NIAGARA FALLS, ON