Blog – Page 136 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

More Snow Buntings

Since photographing them last weekend I have been seeing reports of the Snow Buntings continuing, but the numbers dwindling. With that I mind I headed back down to the Tsawwassen Ferry causeway this afternoon to see if any remained. On arriving I chatted with a couple of other birders on their way out who informed me there were two buntings present along the south side.

They were busy feeding along the ground when I first located them.

Then they moved in amongst the driftwood,

… on their way to forage along the beach and in the seaweed.

Next it was time for a break to pose nicely amongst the rocks,

… with a stretch thrown in for good measure.

When they returned to the logs, some other photographers were arriving. Up until this point I had them to myself which worked out quite well. It was fun to have some quality time with these pretty little birds again. Now it was time to let the others have a go. Of course I stuck around and continued to watch a while longer.

Remembrance Day

This morning I headed over to Memorial Park where Remembrance Day ceremonies are held each year in our community. It is the site of Delta’s cenotaph with the names of those from the community lost in war. There was a good turn out in honour of all those who have fallen so we can enjoy the life we do today. The weather was cooperating and did not hinder the usual fly-by of vintage WWII aircraft from the Delta Heritage Air Park in Boundary Bay.

As the weather was not as bad as I was expecting, it was time for a walk after this. There were some actual blue patches and occasional sunshine when I arrived at Reifel. I started off my walk down the east dyke trail where I saw my first Northern Saw-whet Owl. Early November is when they usually start returning to this area and stay over the winter. No photos though, as this one was tucked away quite well which is usually the case.

The north dyke trail is still closed due to some repair work completed last month. So I made my way to the centre dyke via the inside trails, checking out the tower area on my way. While strolling along the centre dyke the wind all of a sudden started howling. It was blowing hard enough that branches were falling from the trees with one just missing me, but getting the tripod. It was like someone flipped a switch from calm to very strong gusts. The weather forecast was calling for it, I just expected it to build gradually.

While making my way back to the parking lot I noted lots of the waterfowl being blown around along with the leaves and everything else.

That provided my only photo of the day, this Mallard flying in to the wind.

Willet, Scoters, Buntings & Grebe

On this lovely Saturday afternoon I decided to head down to the Tsawwassen Ferry causeway. I had a couple of birds in mind for today’s outing. First up was a Willet that has been wintering here for over a dozen years.

Here it has caught a small crab that happened to wash up onto the log it was roosting on.

One can only speculate if it is the same bird all these years,

… but one returns to the exact same area every year.

While photographing the Willet,

… a pair of Surf Scoter came in fairly close to the beach.

The male particularly so after one dive for mollusks on the bottom which they feed on.

Then I made my way west along the beach for the second target bird of the day,

… Snow Buntings.

These pretty little birds breed in the far north of Canada and Alaska,

… but will show up here every winter.

The last couple of winters there has been one or two birds.

Today there was 8-10 birds.

This one I managed to get stretching its wings after preening.

Needless to say I was not the only birder/photographer enjoying these little beauties today.

Bonus bird of the afternoon,

… was this Horned Grebe that went by while shooting the Buntings.

Seeing it coming, I set up on the waterline ahead of time as it approached. A fish in the bill after diving would have been nice, but I cannot complain as it was a great afternoon along the causeway.