Boundary Bay – Page 33 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Sharing The Eelgrass

Headed out to Boundary Bay late this afternoon to see what might be around. The tide was high and pretty much up to the dyke. With the usual foraging area covered in water, there was not much going on. For the Black-bellied Plovers that were around, it was a matter of finding a spot to roost.

The clumps of eelgrass are commonly used by shore birds for just this purpose.

There were some Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers also looking to find a spot.

Black-bellied Plovers & Ring-billed Gulls

Here there are half a dozen Black-bellied Plovers and a couple of Ring-billed Gulls sharing the same clump of eelgrass.

And just to keep things interesting this Whimbrel flew by.

Sandpipers & Plovers

While not in full swing yet, the shore bird migration has started. Today I waited until late afternoon, early evening to head out to Boundary Bay. The tied was out, but you can usually find something out in the sand or around the small tidal pools. It was looking pretty quiet at first, but then some movement caught my attention. It was a small group of Semipalmated Sandpipers. I continued past them on the dyke before making my way down to the beach and back tracking.

Least Sandpiper & Semipalmated Sandpiper

On approaching I noticed another bird in with the Semipalmated Sandpipers.

It was a Least Sandpiper taking a bath along with one of the Semipalmated. I made my way slowly to the edge of the tidal pool, set up and waited. Rather than chase them, I prefer to wait and let the birds come to me.

It was the Semipalmated Sandpipers that made their way towards me first.

I was set up as I would normally be for shooting shore birds.

Tripod collapsed low and down on my knees.

Being down at their level gives you a natural perspective and pleasing photo.

Finally the lone Least Sandpiper came my way.

I was beginning to wonder if it ever would.

I will usually try to get them foraging,

… along with the more classic portrait.

While photographing the sandpipers something else caught my eye.

Some Semipalmated Plovers had shown up and were scurrying around the beach.

This is the smallest Plover we would normally see around here.

This one has pulled some tasty little morsel out of the sand. It was a good afternoon and chance to practice technique before things really pick up around the bay area.

Waxwing, Owl & Bunting

Was not finding too much this afternoon. A glimpse of a Vireo of some sort, but could not relocate it. There were still lots of Waxwings moving about.

So I tried for a couple of shots.

Such a pretty bird, hard to resist not trying to get something.

Late in my walk the cak-cak-cak of a Cooper’s Hawk caught my ear. It was really kicking up a stink. Then another one started calling as well. I know the nest is close by, but this was coming from an adjacent stand of trees. While trying to locate the hawks, the Crows assembled and started chiming in as well.

Finally I located the reason for all the raucousness. This Great Horned Owl was getting dive bombed from every direction. Little wonder its eyes were as wide open as they are.

I was on my way back to the car when I noticed one of the Lazuli Buntings.

It was in one of the usual spots and actually allowed me to approach.

Better yet, it was not obstructed by branches while singing away in the late afternoon sun.