Out Again At Last

With the weather, work and other commitments it has been almost two weeks since I have had a chance to post. Finally this morning I had an opportunity to head out before the weather changes again. First stop of the day was Reifel. One of the Black-crowned Night-Herons was in the bramble a little closer to the trail,

Black-crowned Night-Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron

… unfortunately it was still obstructed by a few branches.

Along the east dyke trail I spent a little time with some of the regulars.

Golden-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco

Along the centre dyke trail the Pacific Crab Apple was popular this morning.

American Robin
American Robin

Attracting both American Robins,

American Robin
American Robin
American Robin
American Robin

… and Cedar Waxwings.

Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

It has been several months since I last photographed any Waxwings.

Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing

So it was fun to spend a little time with them.

On my way out there was a fairly bedraggled looking immature Bald Eagle in the parking lot. It was soaking wet from what I suspect may have been a failed attempt at a duck.

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle

It was now roosting in this snag, wings spread and trying to dry out.

Second stop of the day was Boundary Bay. I wanted to have another go for the American Tree Sparrows. After not locating them where they had been last time,

White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow

… I back tracked a little to where I had noticed some White-crowned Sparrows. On closer examination I found the American Tree Sparrows busy foraging in the grass. Now it was just a matter of waiting,

American Tree Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow

… for them make there way into the branches.

American Tree Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow

A little patience was in order,

American Tree Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow

… as they were not always in the open for their short stays in the trees.

American Tree Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow

But it was worth the wait as they were cooperating this afternoon.

I had been out for several hours now, was getting cold and it was time to head home.

Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

However, I could not pass up this parting shot of a Snowy Owl roosting in the logs across from where the Tree Sparrows were. It was here on its own away from the others.

2 thoughts on “Out Again At Last”

    1. Hi Liron,

      That looks like a White-crowned Sparrow to me. The first thing that stands out is the lack of bicouloured bill. The American Tree Sparrow bill will be dark above, light below. The cap and eye-line will be reddish with this same reddish colour also present on the sides. The Tree Sparrow will also have a darker spot on the breast. I included the photo of the White-crowned Sparrow in the post for comparison.

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