Blog – Page 141 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Pectoral Sandpipers

This afternoon it was back out to Boundary Bay. On heading out along the dyke I was noticing mostly Pectoral, Baird’s and Least Sandpipers around the tidal pools. There were some Semiplamated Plovers further out. I continued out to 96 St. and then made my way down to the beach. There was not much around between here and the old pilings. As there seemed to be lots of Pectoral Sandpipers today, I continued back to where I had seen them. On relocating one nice sized group I decided to focus on them.

They seemed a little uneasy on my approach.

So I dropped down and proceeded on my knees and they settled back into their routine.

Before you know it, they were striking nice poses for me.

While some relaxed and rested amongst the seaweed,

… others continued foraging for food.

After probing the ground this one came up draped in seaweed.

As you can see they were quite comfortable with my being there now. Some even wandering in too close for photos. That is when you just sit back and enjoy.

Ducknapping & Peregrine

This afternoon I headed out to Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The purpose of this visit was volunteering, helping out with visitors on the trails.

On arriving I was informed of an incident that happened yesterday. Someone was actually trying to take ducks from inside the sanctuary. As shocking as this may sound, it has happened before. Previously it has been people in the parking lot trying to abscond with them. This is the first time I have heard of them being taken inside on the trails. I can only speculate that they would be destined for the dinner table. A Conservation Officer was informed and is following-up.

On the brighter side, it was a lovely afternoon for all that visited today. The crowds were not that large. While fairly quiet on the birding front, there was a nice assortment of shore birds present including the Stilt Sandpipers. There were also over a dozen Sandhill Cranes visiting along with the resident family of three.

I came across another visitor looking for dinner on the way out at the end of the day.

This Peregrine Falcon had been busy on the out ponds earlier hunting shore birds.

It was difficult trying to get a view as I had to shoot through branches.

Fortunately I had somewhat of a clear shot when it was stretching and fanning its feathers. It stayed on this high perch and continued surveilling the ponds.

A Buffy Day

Later this afternoon I headed out Boundary Bay. I knew the tide was going to be low, but was hoping to find some of the regulars along the beach. I started off at 104 St. and headed west to 96 St. without seeing anything. At 96 St. I headed down from the dyke and out on to the beach, waiting and watching. It was not too long before I noticed a small group come in settle on the beach.

It was a small group of Semipalmated Plovers.

These are probably the smallest plovers seen around here, about 18 cm in length.

It took a little time before I got these shots.

I took my time allowing the group to be comfortable with me there.

This is probably the closest I have gotten to these tiny plovers.

Next up were some Least Sandpipers.

They are not very big either, only about 15 cm in length,

… but a couple came in fairly close.

For size comparison to the next bird of the day, here is Least Sandpiper with a Baird`s Sandpiper in the background.

The Baird`s Sandpiper is a little larger at 19 cm in length.

I ended up only about 7-8 m from this group.

While some in this group were busy foraging,

… others like the one in the background were content to rest.

Being so close to all these birds I probably spent more time just watching and enjoying than photographing.

It was now just after 6:30 pm and I decided to start back toward 104 St. Still checking out the regulars along my way, something different caught my attention as I approached the old pilings.

A lone Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Definitely the bonus bird for the day, and as I have been discussing size of the others, the largest at 21 cm in length.

While I had only come out for, and was quite happy with the regulars,

… locating one of the rarer shore birds seen here each year was great. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper normally migrates south through the interior of Canada, but we will usually get a few sightings each fall here on the west coast.

Could not ask for a better finish to a lovely afternoon on Boundary Bay.