Bob Bell 🇨🇦
LightNews LightNews
banner
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Bob Bell 🇨🇦
@thebirderbob.bsky.social
9.3K followers 990 following 2.9K posts
Avid birder, Lyme patient, author of "Out of the Lyme Light and into the Sunlight" Read about my frustrating journey with Lyme, and how birding helps me cope with chronic pain. Photos all by me. #birds #cats #Lyme #naturetherapy #wellness #birding
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Bob Bell 🇨🇦 @thebirderbob.bsky.social · Sep 18
Proud to post this link to the article that I wrote in the September issue of @aba.org's Birding magazine - much easier to read than the scanned jpgs I posted earlier. Thank you ABA and @birdizlife.bsky.social! #birds #birding #Lyme #Lymedisease #wellness

www.aba.org/birding-and-...
Birding and Wellness - American Birding Association
After Lyme disease forced him into retirement, geologist Bob Bell found healing in birding, improving wellness, sharing knowledge, and inspiring people to connect with birds.
www.aba.org
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Virginia Rails typically head for warmer climes in early October. For some reason this one has stayed, and seems to be thriving ok. It hangs out in a small spot with open water in a marsh. It looks like someone is feeding it mealworms. #birds #birding #rails
Virginia rails are small birds with long beaks. In the summer they are very elusive, hiding in the reeds of a marsh - often heard more than seen, at least by me. To see one in the open just a few feet away was pretty neat, and made me realize how tiny they are. This one is standing in a small patch of unfrozen water; perhaps there is a spring there keeping it open. A Virginia Rail walking in the snow.
January 5, 2026 at 11:36 AM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Yesterday I had lucky timing when this gorgeous beast of a raven flew in and landed on the post just as I was driving by it. #birds #birding #commonraven #raven
A Common Raven on the top of a weathered hydro pole, looking off to the left. The sky is amorphous gray. From this perspective, its shaggy throat and huge beak show very well.
January 4, 2026 at 11:39 AM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
I'm the king, he proclaims with a glower and a glare. Northern hawk-owl from a few years ago.
#birds #birding #owl #northernhawkowl
A hawk owl is perched on a blue banner that says "King" (for King township in Ontario). It is is glaring directly at the camera.
January 3, 2026 at 12:29 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
My local Red-tailed Hawk spent much of the afternoon of New Year's day monitoring my feeder birds. #birds #birding #raptors #redtailedhawk #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt
The red-tailed hawk is perched on a thick, ,horizontal branch of my backyard maple, with a second branch angling off it at 45 degrees, crossing in front of his chest, which is showing off the characteristic "belly band" of red-tailed hawks. It is looking intently down to the left side of the image
January 2, 2026 at 12:55 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Anyone missing their mourning doves? Happy to return them.
#birds #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt
At least 16 doves perched on snow covered branches of my backyard spruce. There were at least another dozen at my feeders at the same time.
January 1, 2026 at 4:02 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
I was dreaming of having a Bohemian Waxwing as the first bird that I'd see this year. Fat chance, but might as well dream big! It was a Dark-eyed Junco. #birds #birding
A Bohemian Waxwing perched in a crab apple tree, with cloudless blue sky behind it. It is in profile view, showing off the lovely colouring on the tips of its wings. A Bohemian Waxwing perched on a bare branch, oriented towards me but looking to the right. The background is blurred out. it is quite orangish around its face, and has a prominent yellow tip to its tail.
January 1, 2026 at 12:55 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Happy New Year! May 2026 be as peaceful and chill for you as Loshi! #cats #newyear #happynewyear
Loshi, our all gray cat, curled up resting on his attachable window perch
January 1, 2026 at 11:50 AM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Yesterday, the Cooper's Hawk landed on the fence right outside my window, so close I struggled to focus on it. Didn't help the low sun was reflecting off a house in the background, creating tricky lighting. This was its 5th failed pass at my feeder birds yesterday. #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard
A Cooper's Hawk in profile view, looking to the left, sitting on my privacy fence. There is a bright halo of light behind him caused by reflection of the sun off a house in the background, which is blurred out. The hawk looks very intense!
December 31, 2025 at 1:22 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
In the fall of 2018 I had the pleasure of watching this Spruce Grouse strut his stuff at Algonquin Park, Ontario. #birds #birding #grouse #Algonquin #Algonquinpark
A spruce grouse perched in a spruce tree, in profile view looking to the right. His tail is fanned and cocked up, and his throat feathers are ruffled. A spruce grouse perched on a bare, dead branch, in profile view looking to the right. His tail is fanned and cocked up, and his throat feathers are ruffled.
December 30, 2025 at 12:01 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
This Purple Sandpiper chose a very pretty setting for its portrait. #birds #sandpiper #purplesandpiper
A purple sandpiper, in profile view, walking towards the right side of the image, over boulders on a shoreline that are covered in bright green "seaweed". Gentle waves are rolling in, with a pretty combination of blue water and white froth. Purple sandpipers have bright orange legs, feet and beaks, which stand out against their purplish brown body colour.
December 29, 2025 at 12:16 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
European Starling showing off its lovely winter plumage #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt #starling
A starling sitting on top of my snow-covered backyard fence, in profile view looking to the right. The beautiful white "arrow tips" on its breast are showing nicely.
December 28, 2025 at 1:12 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
It's #caturday, and Loshi wants you to see his new toy. However, I must admit sweet little Loshi doesn't look so sweet when totally focused on attack mode!
Our all gray cat Loshi is standing on his hind legs and swatting at a long piece of thick, gray yarn. He is in full attack mode with his mouth open
December 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
An American Tree Sparrow doing its best wolf impersonation. #birds #birding #sparrow
A sparrow perched on a narrow horizontal branch, with the background a blurred out gray colour. Its head is tipped back, and mouth open singing, making it look like a wolf howling.
December 27, 2025 at 12:32 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
I've only had two Pine Siskins in my yard this fall/winter. Here's one from a few years ago when several dozen spent the winter here. #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt #siskin #pinesiskin
A closeup view of a pine siskin hanging upside down, pecking at some cones on our backyard spruce tree.
December 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Here's a beautiful cardinal that I photographed in my backyard earlier this year; I thought it was a good one for today. Merry Christmas to all! #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt #MerryChristmas #Christmas
A Northern Cardinal posing nicely in my backyard spruce tree, looking over its shoulder to the right side of the image.
December 25, 2025 at 12:25 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Merry Christmas eve, for all those who celebrate! #birds #birding #finches #purplefinch #Christmas #Christmaseve
A purple finch in a bare bush with small buds emerging. It is looking off to the right, with a seed in its mouth. A beautiful, all pinkish-purple bird!
December 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Another surprise at my feeders - one male and two female Brown-headed Cowbirds. Here's a snap of the male. #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt
A cowbird on my tray feeder, in profile view looking to the left. There is a starling behind him.
December 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
An unexpected but welcome visitor yesterday, a female Purple Finch! #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt #finch #purplefinch
A female Purple Finch, which has no purple like her mate, but rather is streaky white and brown, perched on the hoop of my feeding system, facing towards me but looking slightly to the right A female Purple Finch, which has no purple like her mate, but rather is streaky white and brown, perched on the rim of my tray feeder, in profile view looking to the right A female Purple Finch, which has no purple like her mate, but rather is streaky white and brown, perched on the hoop of my feeding system in profile view looking to the right
December 23, 2025 at 12:11 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Yesterday a flock of about 30 American Robins passed through my yard. They seemed to be on a mission, with most flying rapidly by, all in the same direction. However, a few took a drink and a brief rest before rejoining their gang. #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt
A robin in my birdbath about to take a drink, glaring directly at me, perhaps unimpressed that some ice had formed on the water. A robin perched in our redbud, looking off to the right. Horizontal branches cross over its belly, and just above its head. A robin perched in my backyard spruce tree, in profile view looking to the right.
December 22, 2025 at 12:50 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
I couldn't decide which pose of this House Finch I liked best, so am posting them all. #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #housefinch #Ancaster #HamOnt
A male House finch, with pink head and upper breast, and streaky brown and white on the rest of him, perched in our backyard redbud, in profile view looking to the left A male House finch, with pink head and upper breast, and streaky brown and white on the rest of him, perched in our backyard redbud, facing me but looking downwards to the left A male House finch, with pink head and upper breast, and streaky brown and white on the rest of him, perched in our backyard redbud, facing me but looking downwards to the right
December 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
It's #caturday, but it's also our little goofball Loshi's 9th birthday today!
Loshi is an all gray cat with green eyes. He's sitting on a hardwood floor near a white baseboard and taupe coloured wall, with a festive red and green scarf around his neck. He doesn't look overly thrilled to have had his momma put it on him!
December 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Yesterday, I had two American Tree Sparrows and one Pine Siskin enjoy my feeders. I managed a few shots of the sparrow, but not the siskin. Hope it comes back today! #Birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #sparrow #Ancaster #HamOnt
An American Tree Sparrow in a small bare bush, looking over its shoulder towards the right side of the image. It has quite a reddish-brown cap, central dark spot on its off-white breast, and taffy coloured flanks A second American Tree Sparrow in my backyard, perched in the spruce tree. It is sitting upright, looking to the left, showing off its underparts as much paler in colour than the other one
December 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
Two years ago, this gorgeous Snow Goose made an appearance at a local canal. #birds #birding #snowgoose #HamOnt #BirdOfTheDay
A close up view of a snow goose, looking over its shoulder, on the snowy shore of a canal, surrounded by male and female mallards.
December 19, 2025 at 12:07 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
From my archives, a Great Gray Owl that I saw close to Thunder Bay, Ontario in the winter of 2018. #birds #birding #owl #BirdOfTheDay #greatgrayowl
A gorgeous great gray owl perched on a thick black hydro wire, with the post right behind it; in the background is frost covered pine branches. He or she is looking directly at me with its large yellow eyes.
December 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
thebirderbob.bsky.social
A Red-breasted Nuthatch posing nicely in our redbud. #birds #birding #Bobsbackyard #Ancaster #HamOnt #BirdOfTheDay
A close up view of a red-breasted nuthatch perched in our backyard redbud. It is sitting facing me, showing off it's reddish-brown breast, but looking off to the right side of the image.
December 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM