Category: Brunswick Point

The weather forecast for New Year’s Day was supposed to be nice. Instead it was a cold, frosty and foggy day. The cold and frost are OK,

… but the fog definitely did not help when an opportunity presented itself.

After some errands I had time for a short walk before it got dark. With the wind from the other day having subsided, I headed out to Brunswick Point. There were at least six Snowy Owls some distance off in the marsh. There were several Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls cruising and hunting over the marsh. Unfortunately the overcast skies were not conducive to flight shots.

On the brighter side, the Short-eared Owls do take the odd time out.

Last night John Lowman, Peter Holmes and myself had the pleasure of presenting our photos at the Birds On The Bay, Birds In Focus. An annual event hosted by the Cammidge House Committee and Boundary Bay Regional Park volunteers with slide shows from local bird photographers. Once again, a good time was had by all.

Motivated from the previous evening I headed out to Brunswick Point this afternoon. Prior to starting out along the trail I noticed there were Barrow’s Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser still present in Canoe Pass along with a Horned Grebe and the usual Double-crested Cormorants.

The target bird for this afternoon’s stroll was Short-eared Owls. None were up and about on my first pass along the dyke. On my way back I noticed at least two hunting over the marsh. Having spent time with the owls here before, I headed out a short way into the marsh in an area they frequent and set up the camera. The plan was to be still, patient and wait for them to come to me.

It was not long before one came in to roost briefly on a log.

Obviously not too concerned with me, it came in again and batted its eyelashes,

… and then struck a classic pose. Almost as if it was hamming it up for the camera. After this it was time for some flight shots.

Then it came in again and this time roosted on a nice old stump.

Then it was back to the flight shots again.

This time the owl was coming toward me on my right side.

Then spotting something,

…  it changes directions and goes by on the left side. All this with hardly any movement from my original spot. Another great afternoon with these owls.