Blog – Page 138 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Finally A Sharp-tailed Day

Circumstances are still such that time out in the field is really limited these days. On seeing continued reports of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in Boundary Bay, I knew I would have to take advantage of any small opportunities to get out. One such chance was on Friday, but no Sharp-tailed was to be found.

Another small window opened this afternoon and I was back out to Boundary Bay checking the beach west of 104 St. I spoke to a fellow birder who mentioned that one had been seen this morning in the company of a Pectoral Sandpiper. A glimmer of hope that started to fade after three passes along the beach and only locating two Pectorals.

I was heading back to the car on my fourth and final trip along the beach when,

… eureka! The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper had finally returned.

While I have managed a couple of record shots previously,

… I have been waiting a few years for a chance to photograph one along the beach.

This particular bird was being quite cooperative,

… allowing me to tag along while it foraged for food.

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is a rare Eurasian migrant.

The Boundary Bay area will usually have a couple of sightings each fall, usually juveniles like this one. There have been two birds being seen here over the last two weeks.

It took a brief time-out and rested on a hummock,

… then it was back to working the waterline looking for food again.

Needless to say I was delighted to finally have this chance with a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

Plovers & Pecs

Boundary Bay was the destination this afternoon. A Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, one of the less common migrants at this time of year, had been sighted earlier this week. On my way to the area it was sighted, I came across a small group of plovers in close to the dyke. I continued past them, made my way down to the beach and then approached slowly.

I fared better today than on previous occasions.

This particular group seemed quite settled,

… and allowed me to get quite close.

A couple of the plovers were not too sure about me,

… and would move around a little.

This one decided to wander off and started foraging for food.

While others continued to rest. Finally some quality time with the plovers. The tide had now come in and I decided to head further west to see what else might be around.

I spotted only one small group of Pectoral Sandpipers.

As is usually the case, they were more than happy to oblige me.

I was surprised there were not more around and no Sharp-tailed. Unfortunately I could not stick around for the falling tide to see what might show up.

Emberizidae, Picidae & Gruidae

It has been longer than usual since my last post. An ongoing and urgent family medical situation has kept me busy when not working. A small window of opportunity opened up this afternoon I headed out to Reifel.

I used bird families in the title and the first up is Emberizidae. This large group includes Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, Longspurs and Buntings. The two I managed to capture this afternoon were,

… this White-crowned Sparrow,

… and a Dark-eyed Junco. Both of which seem to be present in greater numbers the last couple of weeks. This is normal for this time of year and into the winter season. Still no sign or further reports of the White-throated Sparrow.

Next up, Picidae, or woodpeckers.

This Pileated Woodpecker was busy looking for insects in this old snag,

… while this Northern Flicker was foraging along the ground.

Last but not least Gruidae, or cranes. In this case Sandhill Cranes of which there were 36 in the outer ponds this afternoon. I think that is the highest count I have seen there. I got the following series of shots of a juveniles running taking off.

It was a nice break from what has been a hectic week or so.