MALE NORTHERN CARDINAL, MILL POND PARK, RICHMOND HILL, ON

JUVENILE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, RICHMAND GREEN PARK, RICHMOND HILL, ON

FEMALE HOUSE SPARROW, RICHMOND GREEN PARK, RICHMOND HILL, ON

EUROPEAN STARLINGS, RICHMOND GREEN PARK, RICHMOND HILL, ON

   The European Starling at the upper right is molting from breeding to nonbreeding plumage. The starling still has the completely dark head of breeding plumage, but its bill is dark and it has the numerous white dots of nonbreeding plumage.  The starling on the lower left looks like it has completely molted into nonbreeding plumage.  August-September is generally when this molting takes place.

GREAT BLUE HERON, RICHMOND GREEN PARK, RICHMOND HILL, ON

SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, RICHMOND GREEN PARK, RICHMOND HILL, ONz

   The first two photos show a Spotted Sandpiper in breeding plumage.  In the second photo the sandpiper is about to take off in flight.  In both photos you can see the bold dark spots underneath of the breeding plumage.  The last two photos show a Spotted Sandpiper in nonbreeding plumage.  August is generally when the Spotted Sandpiper molts from breeding (summer) to nonbreeding plumage (winter).

EASTERN TAIL BLUE BUTTERFLY, TOMMY THOMPSON PARK, TORONTO, ON