George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 74

Bewicks’s & Great Horned

Well it has been about a week since my last post. Unusual for me, although I had managed one outing, no pictures or news to speak of. Plans changed a couple of times this morning, but once all was said and done, there was a chance for an afternoon stroll.

I headed out to Reifel as there were still a couple of birds around on my list to see and hopefully photograph. Along the east dyke trail there were some Yellow Warblers singing and moving between the trees. I spent some time listening, watching and waiting to see if they would move to an area where I could at least attempt some photos. While it was fun to see them again, they were not going to cooperate for any shots.

Then a noisy Bewick’s Wren caught my attention.

With a little coaxing,

… it did pop up a couple of times and provide some photo ops.

I continued checking the east dyke and inside trails, but to no avail for the other birds I was wanting to see. The stand-by to fall back on this afternoon was a Great Horned Owl. It was roosting in the trees at the junction of the east and north dyke trails. I had stopped by earlier but did not like the light at the time. Given where the bird was, it was still on the harsh side.

After preening it took time to strech its wings.

It kept them fanned out like this for a few minutes.

It then took up a more familiar posture. The sanctuary was closing in a few minutes and I had to leave. Too bad, as the light would have been a lot better in an hour or so.

Pre Game Walk

Time permitted a Stanley Cup Final pre game walk this afternoon. Not wanting to stray too far from home, I headed out to Reifel.

Started off with this Cooper’s Hawk in the trees along the driveway.

Then some friends who were shooting this Grosbeak on the ground,

… flushed it nicely into a tree for me to capture.

Still no shortage of new arrivals,

… with this Wood Duck family basking in the sun on this log.

There has also been a Western Wood-pewee around my last few visits.

The treat of the afternoon though was a couple of other new arrivals.

These Rufous Hummingbird fledglings were in the bushes along one of the trails.

I was hoping to capture one of them getting fed by the adult female. She would come in close above them, but then back off. My proximity to the fledglings may have been spooking her. Sometimes they don’t mind when you are around, other times it may interfere with their behaviour. You have to watch for this. In situations like this, the well being of the birds comes before the picture. So it was time for me to move on.

On checking the watch, it was time to head home for the game. Go Canucks Go!

First Outing & Post For June

I started my walk this afternoon at Reifel. Western Tanager & Bullock’s Oriole had both been seen recently and were on the wish list. First pass along the east dyke trail did not turn up either of these birds.

While checking the outer ponds I did stumble upon this cooperative subject.

This Tree Swallow stretched it wings a couple of times,

… while busy preening.

Also in the outer ponds were at least a dozen Blue-winged Teal, a Cinnamon Teal and the usual Green-winged Teal.

Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal

Something flushed them and I managed this distant shot with all three species.

The marsh adjacent to the south dyke is still a good place to spot a Muskrat.

Then it was back to the east dyke trail and a final check for the target birds.

Still no sign of them,

… but the Black-headed Grosbeaks are still around.

To finish the afternoon I headed out to Boundary Bay by the airport.

I managed to get the Western Wood-pewee with its catch.

Along with another static pose while it was obliging me.

The Lazuli Bunting continue in the area, but I am still working on getting a clean shot. None the less, it was a great afternoon to be out and good start for the month.