George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 79

A Blue Day

I started off this morning at Reifel. Lots of Barn, Tree and Violet-green Swallows hawking for insects. Heard my first Common Yellowthroat of the season for the sanctuary, but no photos. With nesting season well underway for some waterfowl, so are the turf wars.

I love the posturing of the Canada Goose when protecting its territory.

The geese have started nesting,

… with this Canada Goose tending to the eggs.

After Reifel I headed down to Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen to check for the Mountain Bluebird again. I got encouraging news while walking out along the dyke from another birder indicating six Bluebirds had been seen.

It took a few minutes, but I located them foraging along beach.

They would perch nicely at times on the tops of the thistles.

They moved about quite a bit and did spend time in the trees as well. I counted eight Mountain Bluebirds while I was there. Finally some blue in my day. Hopefully they stick around for a while so I can spend some more time with them. Then there was this,

… on my way out to finish my afternoon and a good day.

American Bittern & Short-eared Owl

Getting photos of the Bittern at Reifel fishing has not been an issue. The bird has certainly cooperated.

The problem is the size of the fish being caught.

They are small and not always that obvious in the photo.

I then headed out to Boundary Bay for the late afternoon/early evening hours. There were a few Short-eared Owls active.

Not long after this photo the owl caught a vole and started eating it down in the grass.

Prior to finishing, the owl moved to another area keeping its prize tucked away underneath. Then it was nap time as the sun started to go down.

Ever vigilant and not wanting to lose its dinner, the owl started vocalizing (a hissing like sound) on the approach of another Short-eared Owl flying overhead.