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.