Brunswick Point – Page 10 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Merganser, Cormorant, Owls, Harrier & Merlin

It has been about two weeks since I last posted anything from Brunswick Point and Canoe Pass. On that walk there were some interesting sea ducks around, just not great light. This afternoon in Canoe Pass the light was better,

… and a Red-breasted Merganser was still around. There were also some Loons and Grebes, but they were too far off for any pictures. To make up for that,

… one of the several Double-crested Cormorant was more than happy to oblige.

On my walk around Brunswick Point there were still at least half a dozen Snowy Owls present again. Unlike last time they were all further out in the marsh this afternoon. What was active and in a little closer today,

… were the Short-eared Owls. After getting this one taking a time out on the log,

… I spent a little time trying for some flight shots as a few were up and about.

As owls hunt with their ears as well as their eyes,

… they will react to the sound of the shutter, so be ready for it.

Accompanying the owls over the marsh were the usual Northern Harriers.

As the sun was going down behind some fairly dark clouds I was making my way back to the car when I noticed some sparrows scattering into the brambles. Right behind them flying low to the ground and then up into a tree was my bonus bird of the day.

This Merlin was unsuccessful in catching anything and with the awful light I was not sure if I was going to get a usable shot. This one did take a little massaging in post processing, and was a nice finish to the afternoon.

Water Birds & Owls

It was still pretty grey when I headed out this afternoon, but at least it was not raining. My destination today was Brunswick Point. After arriving, and before heading out to the point, a quick check of Canoe Pass was in order as a couple of things caught my eye. Canoe Pass is that portion of the South Arm of the Fraser River that goes into Ladner Harbour. The first thing that I noticed,

… was this Long-tailed Duck. There were some Western Grebe out there as well, but they were even further off than the Long-tailed.

Next up were some Red-breasted Merganser.

It has been a few years since I last photographed one of these.

Bonus bird of the afternoon was this Barrow’s Goldeneye.

The Barrow’s Goldeneye is a new addition to my life photo list. So, some interesting waterfowl from the birding perspective, unfortunate the weather was not better from the photography side of things.

Of course the the usual Double-crested Cormorant were on the pilings of the old Brunswick Cannery (photo).

Once on the dyke trail around Brunswick Point things were fairly quiet. The usual Northern Harriers and one Short-eared Owl were active over the marsh. About half way along there was a change from what has been the norm.

There were four Snowy Owls roosting in closer to the dyke.

My last few visits to Brunswick Point they have always been some distance out.

While not as close as the ones at Boundary Bay have been of late,

… it was nice to see the ones here in closer providing better views. The numbers are not as great here either, I counted seven today. There is usually twenty plus in the bay area.

Short-eared Owl

The clouds parted a little later in the afternoon and made for a nice stroll at Brunswick Point. No Rough-legged Hawk or Great Horned Owl at the beginning of the trail like there was my last couple of visits. There were still several Snowy Owls roosting on the logs way out in the marsh, but I was not going to trudge out there. I made my way towards the latter part of the trail in the hope of finding and spending some time with the Northern Shrike. Alas, after waiting in one of its favourite haunts for awhile it was a no show. As I started to make my way back I noticed several Short-eared Owls had taken flight over the marsh.

This particular owl had cooperated for another photographer and once he left, gave me a chance as well while it rested briefly on this log.

I stayed in this spot as the owls were actively flying around me.

While the light was not always quite right,

… they were providing some nice opportunities for flight shots.

They must have all gotten hungry at the same time,

… which worked out well for me.

It would have been better to be a little further out in the marsh, but I cannot complain with the chances these Short-eared Owls gave me before the sun started to fade.