Birding in British Columbia – Page 31 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

White-throated Sparrow

The weather definitely had an impact on the number of visitors at Reifel this afternoon when I showed up to help out on the trails. The continuing snowfall was also keeping a lot of the smaller birds busy looking for food.

This Golden-crowned Sparrow gave me a long look. Even they were approaching people looking for hand outs.

The White-throated Sparrow was active in its usual spot near the entrance,

… and this Dark-eyed Junco struck a nice pose on a snowy log. A fun day trying to get some of the little ones in the snow.

Bald Eagle

With a change in the weather forecasted for tomorrow, figured I should get out for a short walk in the sunshine this afternoon. I headed out to Reifel and on checking near the entrance,

… the White-throated Sparrow did pop out into the open a couple of times. I then made my way out the east and north dyke trails. On approaching the tower I noted an immature Bald Eagle in a tree across from it. So up I went with the hopes of getting some take off/landing or flight shots.

While I was on the camera photographing this bird I heard quite the commotion below me with ducks scattering. On looking up from the camera a different immature Bald Eagle had landed on the railing next to me with what was left of a duck and proceeded to finish off. At this point it way too close for my 400mm lens, so I resorted to my cell phone (Lumia 950XL) for this video.

After several minutes of video I chanced retrieving my camera and moving to the far side of the tower to get beyond my minimum focussing distance.

The Bald Eagle just kept on munching away unperturbed with my (and another couple that came up after seeing what happened) being there.

This was a first for me being this close to a wild Bald Eagle (other than one time I stood by with an injured one waiting or O.W.L.)

I finished off with this close up video taken with the camera. Definitely not something that happens every day.

Swamp Sparrow

It was overcast and cool with the wind when I arrived at Reifel to help out in the afternoon. Not many visitors either so it was fairly quiet on the trails. Providing an interesting start to today’s walk,

… was this Eurasion Wigeon that was hanging around in the house pond. The White-throated Sparrow was still present near the entrance, but I was not having any luck with getting photos. After checking the east dyke trail I made my way towards the tower as the morning walk had turned up some Swamp Sparrows. They were located in the marsh off the north dyke as you make your way to the outer west dyke. Near the second bench I could hear the chip call,

… and one Swamp Sparrow popped up into view.

While it would appear the bird was ready to take flight here, it was actually just calling. I could hear two Swamp Sparrows out in the marsh.

These birds can be challenging to see and photograph, so this opportunity definitely made my day.