Birding in British Columbia – Page 151 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Yellowthroat & Wood-Pewee

This afternoons stroll was out in the Boundary Bay area. At first it was pretty quiet and I was beginning to wonder if there would be much of anything to watch let alone photograph. Then when checking a small path off the main trail there was a flycatcher hawking for insects off an old snag. It left before I could get any good looks or photos.

Back on one of the main trails I could hear a Common Yellowthroat close by. I set up and waited a few minutes.

It was not long before it eventually worked its way to the front of the tree.

After this cooperative little warbler, I decided the flycatcher would be worth another try. As they can be creatures of habit using the same perches, I returned to the snag, picked my spot and set up.

This is where patience comes in to bird photography.

It was almost an hour before the flycatcher, a Western Wood-pewee, returned.

It was worth the wait, especially when the bird obliges you like this.

Coming and going from the snag,

… for about 15 minutes in the wonderful late afternoon sun.

On The Brighter Side

It was sad to witness and capture the events at the Sandhill Crane nest the other day. So today it is time to perk things up. The second egg/chick hatched the following day, but I could not get out there until first thing this morning.

The adults and the chick were out on the trail foraging for food.

The sanctuary has closed the trail that goes by the nest area, but you can still get great views and photos of the crane family from an adjoining path.

Here the chick pauses to stretch.

On the menu this morning were worms,

… wood bugs, and some grubs thrown in for good measure.

Time for another stretch,

… and then strike a nice pose for the paparazzi. There is always the brighter side to nature as well.

Nature Can Be Harsh

With the Sandhill Crane chicks due to hatch anytime, I headed out to the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary this morning. But as the title suggests, not all went well.

The male was on the nest and when he stood up briefly you could clearly see an egg that was starting to crack open. It was one and a half hours later before the male got up again,

… this time revealing a newly hatched chick. And no sooner than this happened,

… the chick rolled down the side of the nesting area into the pond. To make matters worse, it was wedged in face down by a root and having trouble keeping its head above water.

Then apparently oblivious to the chicks peril, the male lays down again on the remaining egg. To the handful of people present watching this tragedy unfold the question arises, to intervene, or let nature take its course.

The sanctuary manager chose to wade out, free the chick and place it back on the nest. The adult cranes were obviously not too happy about the intrusion.