Kingbirds, Cooper’s & Willow

This afternoon I headed out to the Boundary Bay area to try for some better shots of the Willow Flycatcher. I had no sooner started on my walk when I noticed a large flycatcher in a tree at the beginning of the trail.

Western Kingbird
Western Kingbird

On getting a closer look it was a Western Kingbird.

Western Kingbird
Western Kingbird

What a great way to start this outing,

Western Kingbird
Western Kingbird

… these are my first shots of a Western Kingbird and a new addition to my photo list.

When checking one of the spots for the Willow Flycatcher,

Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

This Cedar Waxwing showed up for a brief visit on some dead fall.

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk

Then I noticed one of the nesting Cooper’s Hawk in a Willow Tree.

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk

It was preening and stretching while roosting in the tree.

Willow Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher

Then a familiar call took me back to where I had seen the Waxwing.

Willow Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher

The Willow Flycatcher was located down low in the bramble and allowed me to get fairly close. A little better than the distant shot of the other day.

So far, so good. I headed back to where I had seen the Western Kingbird. On approaching I saw something fly from the same tree into an adjacent field.

Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird

Perched on a small tree I found not the Western Kingbird, but an Eastern Kingbird.

Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird

It was flycatching from this low perch and I managed a shot of it with its catch. Two different Kingbirds in one day, cannot ask for much more than that.

Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow

Prior to leaving a couple of Savannah Sparrows caught my eye.

Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow

Unsure if they had a nest with young nearby, but they were busy gathering grubs and frequenting the tree from the first shot.

It was a lovely afternoon for the first day of summer. A productive one as well on the birding and photography front.

First Willow Of The Season

Not long into my walk after the rain there was the familiar “fitz-bew” I had not yet heard this year. After moving to the area of the call, scanning the bush and tree tops, I found the source of the call.

Willow Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher

My first Willow Flycatcher of the season. A rather distant shot, so I decided to spend some time in the area. While waiting for the Willow Flycatcher to cooperate,

Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat

… this Common Yellowthroat was foraging for bugs in the bushes.

Lazuli Bunting
Lazuli Bunting

The Lazuli Buntings were still in the area,

Lazuli Bunting
Lazuli Bunting

… and would routinely stop by and sing.

Bewick's Wren
Bewick's Wren

Also paying a visit was this Bewick’s Wren. It seemed everything but the Willow was going to provide photo ops. Obviously it is going to take a return trip or two to try for some better shots now that they are back.

Waxwing, Owl & Bunting

Was not finding too much this afternoon. A glimpse of a Vireo of some sort, but could not relocate it. There were still lots of Waxwings moving about.

Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

So I tried for a couple of shots.

Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

Such a pretty bird, hard to resist not trying to get something.

Late in my walk the cak-cak-cak of a Cooper’s Hawk caught my ear. It was really kicking up a stink. Then another one started calling as well. I know the nest is close by, but this was coming from an adjacent stand of trees. While trying to locate the hawks, the Crows assembled and started chiming in as well.

Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl

Finally I located the reason for all the raucousness. This Great Horned Owl was getting dive bombed from every direction. Little wonder its eyes were as wide open as they are.

I was on my way back to the car when I noticed one of the Lazuli Buntings.

Lazuli Bunting
Lazuli Bunting

It was in one of the usual spots and actually allowed me to approach.

Lazuli Bunting
Lazuli Bunting

Better yet, it was not obstructed by branches while singing away in the late afternoon sun.