Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Snow Bunting

 Snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)

The snow buntings are wintering in balmy central Ontario, visiting from the high Arctic.  Usually I see them in flocks of between 30 and 80, flying together in sweeping bands as if in a blizzard.  But this snow bunting was solo and willing to stand still for a short photo shoot.

Posing for the camera

Snow buntings do not have a breeding plumage.  Underneath the colours you see here, the back feathers are pure black and the body feathers are white. During the winter, males rub the feather tips off on snow so that by breeding time  he is a striking combination of black and white.

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
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44 comments:

  1. RevrunnerDecember 3, 2013 at 6:16 AM

    Brought to mind several amusing thoughts about the possible origins of the name "bunting". :-)

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  2. Pamela GordonDecember 3, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    Some facts that I did not know about these birds. Thanks! I usually only see them here in January or February and they a nearly impossible to capture on 'my' camera. You are quick!! :)

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  3. Elizabeth EdwardsDecember 3, 2013 at 6:58 AM

    what a beauty. love those feathers. ( :

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  4. Our photosDecember 3, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    Beautiftul bird photos!

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  5. DarlaDecember 3, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    He is so beautiful in this coloring, I can only imagine him in black and white.

    Darla

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  6. MadSnapperDecember 3, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    i love the details in the first shot, so many different shades of color and texture and that is so cool that they rub the feathers that way.

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  7. MersadDecember 3, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    You were lucky to get these shots. I would never be patient enough to wait for them. :)

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  8. AndreaDecember 3, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    They don't seem to mind the cold, i wonder what their skins are made of!

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  9. Gail DixonDecember 3, 2013 at 9:52 AM

    Their coloring and markings are so beautiful. You captured some very nice shots of this guy.

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  10. KarenDecember 3, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    What a handsome bird! I wish they would come farther south! Terrific shots!

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  11. DaveDecember 3, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    Lovely post, one of my fave birds.

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  12. Small City ScenesDecember 3, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    What a beauty. I have never (that I know of) seen a Snow Bunting. We seldom get snow here on the coast maybe that's why. LOL

    MB

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  13. William KendallDecember 3, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    What a beautiful bird!

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  14. NoushkaDecember 3, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    WOW!
    Brilliant!
    That is one bird I'd love to see and... photograph!!
    Great info also, thanks for sharing!
    Cheers!

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  15. NatureFootstepDecember 3, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    a lovely, but shy, little one. I ahd the opportunity to capture it onec last winter. Wasn´t easy. Your images is close to perfect.

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  16. CarverDecember 3, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    They are beautiful birds and you captured them so well.

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  17. RohrerbotDecember 3, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    You are one lucky lady! I'd love to spot these beauties:) Congrats on the great pic!

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  18. Hootin AnniDecember 3, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    Such an impressive bird. And so dapperly dressed!!!

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  19. mickDecember 3, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    Great photos - those little birds have such beautiful colors.

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  20. theconstantwalkerDecember 3, 2013 at 1:49 PM

    Lovely images of a beautiful bird...

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  21. UnknownDecember 3, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    Awesome shots of this beautiful bird!

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  22. HansHBDecember 3, 2013 at 2:11 PM

    Lovely bird, so cute!
    Splendid photowork!

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  23. PeterDecember 3, 2013 at 2:33 PM

    Magical, a beautiful bird.

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  24. Phil SladeDecember 3, 2013 at 2:34 PM

    Superb shots. I am so jealous 30/80 birds? Wow.

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  25. ElaDecember 3, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    I've never seen snow bunting, I see that's lovely bird :)
    Greetings !

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  26. Linda W.December 3, 2013 at 3:14 PM

    What a cute little bird! So nice of it to model for you.

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  27. Ruth HiebertDecember 3, 2013 at 4:10 PM

    Wow! These are gorgeous shots.

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  28. RedPatDecember 3, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    You really should do a 'birds of Ontario' book, EG! I'd buy one for sure.

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  29. eileeninmdDecember 3, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    I love these cute Snow Buntings, great shots!

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  30. LONDONLULUDecember 3, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    What a sweet bird and lovely images! I marvel at your patience in capturing these bits of nature:)

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  31. Wally JonesDecember 3, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    Fantastic photograph of this beautiful bunting!
    We're lucky to get a stray one during migration down here.

    Nice job!

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  32. Lisa GordonDecember 3, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    What a handsome little one!

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  33. StephanieDecember 3, 2013 at 9:46 PM

    He's a beaut!

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  34. LornaDecember 3, 2013 at 10:55 PM

    something so appealing about a plump bird

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  35. FayeDecember 4, 2013 at 12:19 AM

    Such a handsome bird. Lucky you that he was patient to have his portrait done!

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  36. JudyDecember 4, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    Must be a lot of work to rub off all those feather tips! I wonder why they do that...

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  37. AnonymousDecember 4, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    That is certainly a pretty little bird! Love that bit of knowledge about rubbing the feathers off. Very interesting.

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  38. Cheryl @ TFDDecember 4, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    He's beautiful! I especially love that first shot.

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  39. AnonymousDecember 4, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    Beautiful little bird. Wonderful captures.

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  40. •°°• IcyBC •°°•December 4, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    this is such a gorgeous bird, and what a treat to see!

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  41. kayerjDecember 5, 2013 at 12:43 AM

    what a darling little bird.

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  42. Margaret Birding For PleasureDecember 5, 2013 at 3:24 AM

    Hi. handsome bird, great shot.

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  43. Adam JonesDecember 5, 2013 at 6:42 PM

    Lovely pictures. They're very photogenic.

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  44. RoseDecember 8, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    Nice model! I don't think you could have trained it better.

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