Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway – Page 4 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Shore Birds & Water Birds

On seeing reports of Turnstones and Surfbirds at the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway I decided to head down there this afternoon for the rising tide. While making my way out to the tip of the causeway some movement caught my eye.

A Whimbrel was wondering amongst the rocks close to the shoreline.

It was wary of my presence and not going to let me get close. While watching the Whimbrel I stumbled across a Black Oystercatcher family.

Black Ostercatcher nest in this area,

… and these are the two juveniles in this family group. I had noticed some Comorants earlier while making my way along the beach.

Remembering to check over my shoulder every once in a while I managed to get this flight shot of a Pelagic Comorant as it approached from behind me.

And then this distant photo of one with its catch.

Then one started hanging around a little closer in to shore.

At one point it got startled by something and scampered off across the water,

… landing a short distance away. Then while I was still sitting on the same rock,

… a Common Loon leisurely made its way toward,

… and then by me. Still not having moved,

… a Harbour Seal came by from the other direction. Turned out to be a good spot to stop and watch after not locating the Turnstones or Surfbirds. Carrying on my way back,

… I came across the Whibrel again. While tagging along with it,

… I came upon a small flock of Western Sandpipers resting,

… and moving along the shoreline.

They were not as shy as the Whimbrel,

… allowing me to get quite close.

This is a good thing given they are quite small.

It was a nice photo session with these peeps to finish the afternoon off.

Birds By The Seashore

It was a beautiful day to start the Easter long weekend. While I managed to hit more than one spot, the only one with birds cooperating was along the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway.

First up were some Harlequin Ducks.

After a few attempts I managed to get this pair together and both in focus.

This time of year is great for getting the males in breeding plumage.

There were a few Horned Grebe around, but they were not coming in too close today.

There were several Common Loons, this one having caught something on its last dive.

Every once and awhile, they would drift in closer to shore.

Always lots of gulls around, but today I focused on the Mew Gulls.

This one doing a nice fly-by low over the water.

This Common Goldeneye also surfaced with something after a successful dive.

Then took time to stretch and fan its wings.

To finish the afternoon was a mixed flock of Black Scoter and Surf Scoter.

These are the Surf Scoter,

… and here are the Black Scoter.

Blackbird, Turnstone & Oystercatcher

It was still on the cool side this April Fool’s Day with their being a light dusting of snow in some parts of the greater Vancouver area. The skies were blue when I headed down to the Tsawwassen area and the southern portion of Boundary Bay Regional Park. As Mountain Bluebirds have been reported of late, this would be a good spot to check as they usually pass through here each year at this time. While I had no luck on the Bluebird front,

… there were some Red-winged Blackbirds willing to cooperate.

There were a few busy amongst the bullrush/cattail.

Already being in Tsawwassen, I headed to the ferry causeway after this. Unfortunately the sun disappeared behind some clouds when I arrived and the wind off the water was cold.

Too bad the conditions turned for the worse as there were a few groups of Black Turnstone foraging along the shoreline. One of which appeared to have a Surfbird mixed in with them. It has been a while since I have managed any Surfbird shots.

The usual Black Oystercatcher were about as well. It was just too grey and cold to spend much time with them on the beach.