Anthony Minaudo Wildlife Photography

Raptor Yoga
📸 Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawks are one of the most common birds of prey in North America. With sharp eyesight they can spot prey from over a mile away, scanning fields and grasslands with ease.

This juvenile was stretching on a power line, allowing me to snap this photo.

Thanks for looking!

Flying into the New Year like:
📸Redhead Duck

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Looking forward to another year of wildlife photography around the Great Lakes !

This Redhead was flying into the Detroit River, where I used a shutter of 1/2500 to freeze it while descending.

Wishing everyone a happy holidays ! 🎄☃️❄️

Winter Visitor
📸Snowy Owl

Every year Snowy Owls migrate from their northern Arctic home. Some years they are easy to find, others very difficult.

These are the largest and heaviest owl species in North America. They prey on rabbits, mice, waterfowl and other birds.

Thank you for looking!

Colour & Song
📸Black and White Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Northern Parula

Looking back to spring migration where hundreds of species fly North to feed and breed near Lake Erie.

These are the more colourful birds which migrate to Point Pelee National Park.

Comment below ⬇️and tell me which is your favourite of the three!

A foreign visitor
📸Swallow-tailed Kite

Months ago, this interesting character flew all the way up to Ontario from its South American home (where they are found year round).

These birds are known for their acrobatic flight and aerial displays, often catching insects on the wing.

Thanks for looking!

Snack Time
📸American Beaver

Beavers are the largest rodent in North America. They have the ability to stay underwater for 15 minutes. They eat plants, tree bark and aquatic vegetation.

This Beaver was allowed me to snap photos closeby as it enjoyed a snack.

Thanks for looking,

Natures silhouette
📸: Green Heron

I was walking through a trail and came across a pond. Moments later, a Green Heron flew across but unfortunately it was just a silhouette due to the position of the sun.

Later that evening, I realized it was unique to capture a photo this way- and that what keeps wildlife photographers coming back! You just never know when patience will be rewarded.

This Green Heron was taking its meal (a bullfrog) to a different area.

Eyes on you,
📸:Bald Eagle

Repost of this magical moment. Standing near the frozen Detroit River this Bald Eagle turned and stared into my lens.

Bald Eagles have incredibly powerful and sharp vision, with the ability to spot prey over 2 miles away. They even have an adaptation called “fovea” in their eyes allowing them to focus on specific objects with great clarity. 🦅👀

Thanks for looking!

My 7-year old niece drew this for me. I love the detail!

What a great job she did. I think I should frame this as a keepsake .

Power & Grace
📸: Great Blue Heron

With a wingspan of up to 6 feet, these large wading birds are effortless flyers. Great Blue herons are the most common species of heron in North America. They can be seen near any body of water while they search for prey in the shallows.

Thanks for looking,

Looking through the Ice,
📷: American Mink

American minks are excellent swimmers and are primarily seen around waterways and marshlands. They often dive into shallows in search of fish. They have dense fur which blends into their surroundings.

This mink was peering through the ice looking for a possible meal.

Thank you for looking,

Almost that time
📷: Snowy Owl

In the upcoming months Snowy Owls will be migrating South in search of food. These Arctic birds of prey can handle temperatures of -50 celcius.

Individual snowy Owls have been recorded as far South as California and Texas.

Thanks for looking,

Center of Attention,
📷:Great Blue Heron

This great Blue Heron was standing motionless on a partially submerged rock.

Even though these birds are common along the Great Lakes water system, often times they are interesting to capture.

Thanks for looking,

An Ospreys Dinner

Waiting patiently, I watched this Osprey fly in to feed it's two offspring. It brought a good-sized Carp to the nest-with two hungry mouths anxiously awaiting. Carp are an invasive species in the Great Lakes System, and are an easy target for Eagles and Osprey to feast on.

All Osprey chicks/juveniles consume primarily fish which is brought to their nest by both parents.

Thank you for looking,

Last of the Monarchs

Last month the last of the monarchs migrated to Mexico for the winter. Flying over 2500 miles is an incredible feat for such a delicate insect.

This one was flying directly overhead, allowing me to capture it in flight.

Thank you for looking!

The "Fish Hawk"
Osprey

This Osprey was resting near a pond as the sun was setting. These large and specialized birds of prey often perch right alongside a body of water when searching or looking for fish below.

🎉 Facebook recognized me as a top rising creator this week. Thank you for your likes, comments and shares!

While on one of my long walks, I noticed this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk being pestered by some Grackles.

Often times these small birds instinctively ward off any threat in their nesting areas. They swoop down attacking and chirping at the hawk until it eventually leaves the area.

Thanks for looking,

Bald Eagle (Juvenile)

Juvenile bald eagles have brown feathers instead of the iconic white head and tail feathers. It takes about 4-5 years for a bald eagle to reach full adulthood and develop its white plumage. 🦅

This Bald Eagle was practicing its skills diving skills while looking for fish over the Detroit River.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that breeds in eastern North America. These tiny birds are also known for their incredible migration, flying non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico.

Thanks for looking!

Green Frog,

A small area of water was brightened by the sun where this was resting.

Green frogs are commonly found near bodies of water like ponds and marshes. They are known for their distinctive "gunk" call, which sounds like a plucked banjo string.

Super Blue Moon last night,

This particular super blue moon was extra special because it was closer to Earth, making it appear bigger and brighter in the night sky.

Swallow-tailed Kite makes a rare appearance from its home in South America. These birds are rarely spotted this far North (Near Lake Erie)

-The Swallow-tailed Kite is a graceful bird of prey with long, forked tails.
-They are known for their impressive aerial acrobatics and are skilled at catching insects in mid-air.
-These kites have a distinctive black and white plumage, making them easily recognizable.

This one was catching big grasshoppers and eating them while flying over a field.

Thanks for looking.

The Lucky Snap
A Butterfly's last Seconds

Once in awhile things occur in nature and wildlife photography that are truly unique.

Years ago, I was taking photos of a large Swallowtail Butterfly when the second I pressed my shutter- a big bullfrog snatched it from the purple flowers it was feeding on.

I was not sure what happened until I checked my viewfinder. The settings were not ideal to freeze the frog in motion, yet it demonstrated how quickly the frog attacked from the waters below.

Thank-you for looking!

Spotted by an Osprey,

Ospreys are found all over the world (excluding Antarctica). These raptors dive from heights of up to 100 feet to surprise fish below.

This one spotted me near a marsh and then flew off to a nearby tree. The photo was taken near sunset giving the bird a bit of a glow.

Thanks for looking,

Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦

I look forward to another year of photographing wildlife which are found throughout North America and the Great Lakes systems.

A flash of Green
Green-winged Teal

This male Green-winged Teal decided to stretch its wings and showcase its colours while feeding in shallow waters. I have rarely had the opportunity to photograph these “dabbling” ducks this close.