CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography
Birding in British Columbia, Canada
For David, my youngest brother who passed away Thursday evening.
It has been a tough couple of weeks, but I managed to get back out this afternoon.
I headed out to Boundary Bay where the Snowy Owls are still drawing large crowds.
There were several in close to the dyke again providing good photo opportunities.
It was good chance to relax, clear my head and get some fresh air for a couple of hours.
It has been about two weeks since I last posted anything from Brunswick Point and Canoe Pass. On that walk there were some interesting sea ducks around, just not great light. This afternoon in Canoe Pass the light was better,
… and a Red-breasted Merganser was still around. There were also some Loons and Grebes, but they were too far off for any pictures. To make up for that,
… one of the several Double-crested Cormorant was more than happy to oblige.
On my walk around Brunswick Point there were still at least half a dozen Snowy Owls present again. Unlike last time they were all further out in the marsh this afternoon. What was active and in a little closer today,
… were the Short-eared Owls. After getting this one taking a time out on the log,
… I spent a little time trying for some flight shots as a few were up and about.
As owls hunt with their ears as well as their eyes,
… they will react to the sound of the shutter, so be ready for it.
Accompanying the owls over the marsh were the usual Northern Harriers.
As the sun was going down behind some fairly dark clouds I was making my way back to the car when I noticed some sparrows scattering into the brambles. Right behind them flying low to the ground and then up into a tree was my bonus bird of the day.
This Merlin was unsuccessful in catching anything and with the awful light I was not sure if I was going to get a usable shot. This one did take a little massaging in post processing, and was a nice finish to the afternoon.
A chance arose to get out for a walk this afternoon. As there were still some showers off and on, I headed to Reifel where the trails would afford some cover if required. After arriving something entertaining caught my eye before I even left the parking lot.
While my focus is usually birds,
… this squirrel was fun to watch as it dangled amongst the branches eating berries.
As for birds, I was not finding much along the east or north dyke trails. About half way along the centre dyke while scanning back over my shoulder I spotted a Sharp-shinned Hawk off in the trees I had just walked by. It did not take off after I stopped, so I slowly worked my way back to where I would have a clear shot through the branches. It remained on its perch once I stopped again.
As you can see from this shot it was watching me,
… but soon went back to scanning the tree line. A pleasant surprise to have it stay put, but at this point it was just me and the bird.
After I managed a few shots, a young family was approaching along the trail. I motioned for them to be quiet and pointed out the hawk to them. They caught a brief glimpse of it in the tree, but this was too many people and it flew off to the north. None the less, they were as happy as I was to have seen it.