Blog – Page 156 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Another Flycatcher for the List

This afternoons walk was to Reifel. The plan was to check for some of the more elusive and camera shy warblers again.

I started off down the east dyke trail and came across this Spotted Towhee which struck a pose for me. So I had to stop and take a photo.

On reaching the northeast corner I could see lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers moving in the trees. I set up on a trail leading down to a blind overlooking Ewan Slough, watched and listened. It was not long before I could hear a couple of Wilson’s Warblers calling on either side of the path. One of the more elusive warblers I was hoping to get. While waiting to see if they would come out in to the open,

… this flycatcher flew in instead.

A Hammond’s Flycatcher, which is a new addition to my photo list.

One of the Wilson’s Warblers did pop out briefly a couple of times.

But still not as close and clean a shot as I would like to try and get.

Also hanging the same corner were this Downy Woodpecker,

… and what I believe to be a Purple Finch. If I am wrong on this one, someone will likely let me know. There was also a Pine Siskin around, but no good photo ops.

Warblers

Headed out for a short walk today in Boundary Bay. To a wooded area adjacent to the airport with warblers in mind. Not having had much luck with Orange-crowned Warblers the last few days I was encouraged to hear some calling. Sure makes it easier to locate these tiny birds when they are vocalizing.

Finally managed to get one while it was foraging a little more out in the open.

It was not there long, but I did manage a couple of shots.

When returning to the same area a little later, I caught a glimpse of something brighter. It too was foraging amongst the branches, but I eventually got a good enough look to determine it was a Wilson’s Warbler. Another warbler I have had fleeting glimpses of the last few days, but no photos.

Waiting patiently, it too eventually made a brief appearance in the open.

After the previous photo misses, hopefully this is a sign of better things to come with these little guys.

A Couple of Firsts & Another Sock

After the down pour this morning, some chores around the house, I wanted to get out for a short walk before the Canucks game. Headed off to the South Arm Marshes, an area which I had not been to in some time. A good choice as it turns out.

After watching some Yellow-rumped and Wilson’s Warblers that were not cooperating for photos I heard the loud call of a bird I had not seen since last year.

A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were moving between the trees. My first of this season and this one landed briefly in a good spot for a photo.

Then some movement up in the trees caught my attention. There were a couple of flycatchers hawking for insects. They were not calling and too distant at first to make out which species.

They did start landing and foraging a little closer, but the lighting was not great.

These were also my first flycatchers of the season, but even better,

… the first Pacific-slope Flycatcher photos I have been able to get. After the new addition to the photo list,

I managed this of a Bushtit arriving with some nesting material. Just wish the hockey game had gone as well as my walk.