Alaksen National Wildlife Area – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Peregrine + Downy

With the sun shining I headed out for a short walk this afternoon. I was checking the Reifel and Alaksen areas for the White-winged Crossbills that have been around. Not having much luck with that,

… this Peregrine Falcon provided a brief diversion.

It obligingly changed its roosting spot providing this photo facing the camera.

Towards the end of my outing, this Downy Woodpecker cooperated for the last shot of the day.

Another winter migrant that has been spotted recently is the Common Redpoll. Good numbers were seen the other day at Reifel, so that is where I headed this afternoon. I started off down the east dyke trail, but no sign of them along there. On a diversion to the blind overlooking Ewan Slough and the Alaksen National Wildlife area,

… this Hooded Merganser was busy trying to position its catch to swallow it. On the far side of the slough,

… this Bald Eagle was basking in the sun on a log in the water. There were also four Pied-billed Grebe around as well, just not close enough for decent photos.

While continuing my search for the Redpoll along the centre dyke trail,

… I came across this Barred Owl roosting in a Birch tree. A favourite spot for it of late, just the first time I have managed to see and photograph it here. I ended up spending a fair bit of time here with my camera set up and showing the owl to other visitors.

It was getting late now and I resigned myself to the fact the Redpoll would have to wait for another day. As a consolation though,

… one of the Black-crowned Night-Heron was roosting in the open with the last of the light on my way back to the parking lot.

Juveniles Of A Different Sort

Managed to get to Reifel first thing this morning. Being there before the crowds has its rewards as I was greeted by this at the foot of the east dyke trail.