Sticking with the theory from the other day that the Mountain Bluebirds should be showing up anytime, I headed back down to Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen. While the rain had finally stopped, it was still cool and windy with the windchill around zero degrees Celsius.
Mountain Bluebird
Almost right away,
Mountain Bluebird
… I located a pair of Mountain Bluebirds.
Mountain Bluebird
They were sticking to the beach area,
Mountain Bluebird
… while foraging for insects.
Mountain Bluebird
They were constantly on the move making it challenging to get photos.
Mountain Bluebird
Fortunately there were not too many other people around which made it a little easier.
It was still on the cool side this April Fool’s Day with their being a light dusting of snow in some parts of the greater Vancouver area. The skies were blue when I headed down to the Tsawwassen area and the southern portion of Boundary Bay Regional Park. As Mountain Bluebirds have been reported of late, this would be a good spot to check as they usually pass through here each year at this time. While I had no luck on the Bluebird front,
Red-winged Blackbird
… there were some Red-winged Blackbirds willing to cooperate.
Red-winged Blackbird
There were a few busy amongst the bullrush/cattail.
Already being in Tsawwassen, I headed to the ferry causeway after this. Unfortunately the sun disappeared behind some clouds when I arrived and the wind off the water was cold.
Black Turnstone
Too bad the conditions turned for the worse as there were a few groups of Black Turnstone foraging along the shoreline. One of which appeared to have a Surfbird mixed in with them. It has been a while since I have managed any Surfbird shots.
Black Oystercatcher
The usual Black Oystercatcher were about as well. It was just too grey and cold to spend much time with them on the beach.
You know spring has sprung when nesting activity starts. One type of nest I always try to get each year is that of the Bushtit. With that in mind I headed off to the South Arm Marshes which has usually proven reliable for me in past years.
Bushtit Nest
The Bushtit nest is truly one of those little marvels of nature.
Bushtit Nest
Such an intricate nest built by such a tiny bird.
Bushtit Nest
Always fun to find one that is unobstructed that you can enjoy and catch them at work.
