George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 65

Mallard & Great Blue Heron

After some chores around home it did clear up this afternoon, so brief stroll around Reifel was in order. It was fairly quiet both people and birding wise. While watching waterfowl on some of the inner ponds,

… I managed to capture this Mallard taking off. Then along one of the inner trails,

… this Great Blue Heron was resting on the waters edge in some nice light. As both Mallards and Great Blue Herons are abundant in this area,

… it was not surprising that a few Mallards tried to sneak into the shot as well.

Swans, Sparrows & Woodpecker

It was still pretty gloomy when I headed out this afternoon after the showers stopped. One winter visitor I have managed a few passing flight shots of, but nothing close, are the Trumpeter Swans. We will see them every winter in this area when they migrate south from there nesting grounds in northern parts of the province, the territories and Alaska.

While there are numerous places to find them, one particular farm field on Westham Island has been a favourite for them lately and provides easy viewing. The problem the last while has been they were usually too far off for photos.

On checking today,

… they were in a little closer.

The Trumpeter Swan is North America’s largest waterfowl.

Juvenile birds are grey/brown in colour with lighter legs and bill.

The adults are all white with black legs and bill. Like the Snow Goose, the reddish colour on the head and neck is from minerals in the soil they forage in.

As I was already on Westham Island, I figured I might as well head to Reifel for a quick walk. Given the weather and it being a weekday, there were not many people there. Turned it was pretty quiet on the birding front as well.

Some of the regulars like the Dark-eyed Juncos,

… and Song Sparrows were willing to pose.

As was this Pileated Woodpecker. Unfortunately the only clear view was too close. Not often bird photographers complain about being too close.

Downy & Red-tailed

As nice Sunday afternoons can be busy at the sanctuary, I headed out to help on the trails at Reifel. Given the wonderful weather, it was not overly crowded. Still on the chilly side, some of the sloughs and ponds still had a thin layer of ice. This reduced the number of waterfowl present. When I arrived there was a little wind, but this too increased which would keep some of the other birds tucked away.

A Pileated Woodpecker was still working the trees on the inner trails. From speaking with some of the visitors it was providing good looks in the open at times. Unfortunately for me, it was deep inside a group of trees when I saw it. There were also several Northern Flicker flying around, but none settling anywhere long enough for photos.

The only woodpecker that came somewhat out into the open for me was this Downy Woodpecker. There were a couple of them working the centre dyke trail.

Towards the end of the afternoon I came across something a little unexpected,

… this Red-tailed Hawk along the east dyke trail. It was not the hawk itself that was unexpected, as they are abundant in this area, but that it stayed put on the branch. I usually find that once they figure out you are on to them, they are flying off. Just goes to show that reactions of individual birds will vary and some are less concerned and cooperate for the occasional photo opportunity.

As if wanting to make this point again, the same Red-tailed Hawk, in a different tree at the end of the day as I was headed back to the car. Quite comfortable roosting in a tree adjacent to a trail watching both ducks and visitors alike.