Blog – Page 126 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

A Ducky Day

Daylight saving time.
Did you remember to change the clock on your camera along with all the others today?

With the next storm front delayed, it meant there was a slight break in the weather today. Unfortunately it was still fairly windy and on the cool side. Being Sunday, I headed out to Reifel to help on the trails. From a birding perspective, it is still fairly quiet at the sanctuary. Wanting to stay out of the wind, the display ponds provided some waterfowl opportunities.

First up was this male Greater Scaup,

… followed by a female.

Next up were some male Northern Pintails,

… busy strutting their stuff as spring approaches.

Then the smaller male Bufflehead,

… whose head is iridescent in the right light.

The inside sloughs had some Gadwall,

… and Northern Shoveler.

To finish the afternoon off, a couple of portraits.

This female Wood Duck,

… and her male counterpart that were hanging around near the entrance.

Great Blue Heron

When the rain appeared it was going to subside for awhile I headed out to the Boundary Bay area for a walk. Still lots of Bald Eagles around, a Cooper’s Hawk and some of the usual sparrows. The only one that was going to oblige for a photo,

… was this Great Blue Heron. The brief reprieve from the weather was over as it started to rain again putting an end to my walk.

Short-eared Owl

Last night John Lowman, Peter Holmes and myself had the pleasure of presenting our photos at the Birds On The Bay, Birds In Focus. An annual event hosted by the Cammidge House Committee and Boundary Bay Regional Park volunteers with slide shows from local bird photographers. Once again, a good time was had by all.

Motivated from the previous evening I headed out to Brunswick Point this afternoon. Prior to starting out along the trail I noticed there were Barrow’s Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser still present in Canoe Pass along with a Horned Grebe and the usual Double-crested Cormorants.

The target bird for this afternoon’s stroll was Short-eared Owls. None were up and about on my first pass along the dyke. On my way back I noticed at least two hunting over the marsh. Having spent time with the owls here before, I headed out a short way into the marsh in an area they frequent and set up the camera. The plan was to be still, patient and wait for them to come to me.

It was not long before one came in to roost briefly on a log.

Obviously not too concerned with me, it came in again and batted its eyelashes,

… and then struck a classic pose. Almost as if it was hamming it up for the camera. After this it was time for some flight shots.

Then it came in again and this time roosted on a nice old stump.

Then it was back to the flight shots again.

This time the owl was coming toward me on my right side.

Then spotting something,

… it changes directions and goes by on the left side. All this with hardly any movement from my original spot. Another great afternoon with these owls.