Cormorant City, Crow Chaos, SharkFeather & a Cat - July 18, 2026

Summer birding means one thing: get out before the heat settles in.

So, Finnegan and I set out on an early Saturday morning with no expectations other than spending a few hours together exploring. Sometimes the best adventures aren't measured by the number of photographs you come home with, but by the moments you experience along the way. This was definitely one of those mornings.

Our first stop was a little seaside town where cormorants are usually perched along the popular wharf, wings spread wide to dry in the morning sun. As luck would have it, they had other plans. Instead of posing nearby, the entire group had gathered on an old ferry dock just far enough away to make portraits impossible.

But honestly? We didn't mind.

As we stood watching them fly in and out, stretch their wings, squabble with one another, and dry their feathers, we started counting.

Twenty... twenty-one... twenty-two...

More than twenty cormorants all gathered in one place!

I laughed and looked over at Finn..."Welcome to Cormorant City."

Even without the close-up photos, it was incredible to witness.

Bonus Sighting!

Just when I thought "Cormorant City" couldn't get any better, a curious Harbour Seal decided to make an appearance. As I was photographing the cormorants, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Up popped a sleek little seal, quietly surfacing between the docks as if it wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It lingered for a few moments, taking a look around before disappearing beneath the water just as silently as it had arrived.

It's always such a treat when a birding adventure unexpectedly turns into a marine wildlife encounter. Around here, you never quite know what Mother Nature has planned next—and that's half the fun.

Our next stop brought us one of those quiet wildlife moments that make you stop and simply watch.

A crow parent was tending to its very demanding fledgling. The youngster was making sure the entire neighbourhood knew it was hungry while the adult patiently gathered food, dipped it into a nearby garden fountain to soften it, and then fed its noisy offspring.

Did You Know?

Young crows don't believe in "inside voices." After leaving the nest, fledglings spend several weeks following their parents around while loudly demanding food. The constant squawking isn't bad manners, it's their way of saying, "Feed me...NOW!" Patient crow parents continue feeding and teaching them important survival skills until they're ready to fend for themselves.

Finn was absolutely mesmerized.

We sat together on a bench, watching this little family interaction unfold. It's these intimate glimpses into the lives of wild birds that remind me how intelligent and devoted they truly are.

Nearby, a cheerful flock of sparrows had discovered someone's generous scattering of seed atop a row of old decorative marina posts. They went about their breakfast completely unbothered by the world around them, hopping from post to post and happily feasting.

Sometimes the simplest moments are the sweetest.

As we wandered back toward the car, nature treated us to one more unexpected gift.

Beautiful gardens bursting with creamy white blossoms and gorgeous hydrangeas in every shade of blue and purple lined our path. They were almost impossible not to stop and admire.

As I wandered through the flowers, this little bee caught my eye. I quietly lined up the shot, hoping for a beautiful profile... only to be rewarded with the classic bee butt. Just when I thought I'd been completely snubbed, it gave me the tiniest side eye, as if to say, "This is my good side. Deal with it." 😆

Our next destination was another marina where I hoped the Great Blue Herons might still be around their rookery.

Instead, we were greeted by something entirely unexpected.

Perched high atop a towering pine tree sat a magnificent Osprey soaking up the morning sun.

He was preening himself from his breakfast diving session.

As I admired it, I suddenly heard a sound that instantly caught my attention.

Click... click... click... Heron chicks.

I turned around and there it was. A Great Blue Heron nest built immediately beside an Osprey nest, both occupied with hungry chicks.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

I'd heard of herons nesting within Bald Eagle territories before, but I'd never witnessed a heron nest sitting right beside an active Osprey nest.

Two incredible birds sharing the same neighbourhood, raising families side by side.

Cohabitation at its finest.

To finish off our morning, we spotted a Turkey Vulture gracefully soaring over a nearby farm before making one last stop to visit one of my favourite locals.

Perched high above the park sat the Bald Eagle I've affectionately nicknamed SharkFeather. The name just fits. He's the shark of the sky, with feathers.

 Did You Know?

Bald Eagles may look fierce, but they're also surprisingly practical! They often use the same favourite perch day after day because it gives them a perfect vantage point to watch for fish, other prey, and even opportunities to steal a meal from another bird. It's one of the reasons I call this particular eagle "SharkFeather." Like a shark patrolling the ocean, he patiently watches from above, always ready to make his move.

Although we didn't come home with many photographs, that's okay.

Summer bird photography can be challenging. The harsh overhead light isn't flattering, and most birds wisely retreat into the cool shade where they're nearly impossible to photograph.

But this adventure was never really about filling memory cards.

It was about spending a beautiful morning with my favourite adventure buddy, discovering little pieces of nature together, and appreciating all the unexpected moments we would have missed had we stayed home.

A morning birding. And memories that no photograph could ever fully capture.

Until our next adventure.

Bonus Observation

I know... it's only July. But don't tell the ferns that.

While everyone else is soaking up summer, I noticed little flashes of yellow, orange, and red beginning to appear among the greenery. They're tiny hints, but enough to get this fall-loving heart excited.

Don't get me wrong, I love these summer adventures with Finn. But there's just something magical about autumn. Cooler mornings, migrating birds, colourful forests, and sweater weather? Sign me up.

So yes... I may already be counting down to fall.