George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 5 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Northern Saw-whet Owl

I knew it was going to be a long afternoon when I got the heads up that there were three Northern Saw-whet Owls in addition to the Great Horned Owl pair along the east dyke trail at Reifel today. On arriving to help out on the trails, the parking lot was full and visitors were being held at the gate until spots opened up.

Only one of the Northern Saw-whet Owls was in a vulnerable spot that needed watching over. For the most part the photographers were well behaved today, other than a couple who figured they could park their tripods and cameras right in front of the bird without moving all day.

For all the visitors that passed by this spot,

… they were treated to an unobstructed view of a Northern Saw-whet Owl. Something that you do not encounter here all that often. This definitely made the day for most of them.

Northern Goashawk

It had been a fairly uneventful day on the photo front at Reifel. Toward the end of the day while walking along the inside grassy trail the numerous Robins and some Flickers suddenly scattered. The reason became clear as I then saw the Northern Goshawk streaking through the trees. This carried on for a few minutes without the Goshawk catching anything.

The Goshawk then alighted briefly on a branch over the trail providing this photo opportunity. While not ideal, it is the clearest photo I have managed so far of this winter visitor at the sanctuary.

Northern Goshawk

A change of pace in the weather while helping out at Reifel this afternoon. It was overcast with a light rain and nowhere near the number of visitors the last few nice weekends had brought out.

One bird that has eluded me since first being sighted at the beginning of the month is the Northern Goshawk. It has been seen in a few different locations in the sanctuary. I started off my walk along the east dyke trail and from there made my way to the centre dyke trail. On nearing the south end I spotted the Goshawk briefly roosting up high. It then moved off back in the direction I had just come from. I backtracked to the trail that leads to the blind off the centre dyke, relocated the Goshawk and got a good look. Unfortunately I did not bring my long lens today anticipating it to be wetter than it was. I did have my 70-300mm on the camera under my jacket and managed a distant record shot.

About 20-30 minutes later as I was starting out along the outside dyke from the southwest corner the Northern Goshawk flew into a tree right in front of me.

This provided for even better viewing and photo opportunity. Too bad it was such a gloomy day and for all the branches between me and the bird. Now I just have to hope it sticks around and provides further opportunities on a nicer day.