Newly arrived goslings were keeping visitors at Reifel entertained this afternoon. At first there was not much of note and then along the north dyke I saw my first Purple Martin of the year at the sanctuary. In the west field there were also some Cinnamon Teal, but too far off for photos.
Greater White-fronted Goose
The highlight of day was a small flock of Greater White-fronted Geese.
Greater White-fronted Goose
They were in the centre display ponds and provided great viewing and photo opportunities.
Greater White-fronted Goose
Compared to most chances I have had, it was a pleasant change of pace being this close for Greater White-fronted Goose pictures.
A few days ago I checked on a Great Horned Owl nest, but it was overcast and not conducive to good photos. This morning I returned with blue skies and sunshine.
This particular nest has just one owlet that I have seen.
Great Horned Owl Nest
While it is still spending a fair amount of time tucked away under the adults feathers, it does pop out and make the occasional appearance. Young Great Horned Owls are quite curious and fun to watch while they are looking around and bobbing their heads.
Still photos cannot really capture this behaviour well, fortunately today’s cameras also do video.
Great Horned Owl Nest
Before leaving I also managed this shot of the chick stretching its wing to show the growth of the primary feathers.
A little breezy and overcast, but at least it was not raining. There was also a half decent crowd when I arrived at Reifel to help out this afternoon. There was not anything out of the ordinary reported from the morning,
Dark-eyed Junco
… and along the east dyke trail it was mostly regulars like this Dark-eyed Junco.
Gadwall
Hard to walk around Reifel without spending some time with the waterfowl. Today it was this Gadwall.
Black-capped Chickadee
Along the inside grassy trail I found a pair of Black-capped Chickadee busy excavating a nesting hole in an old Birch snag. While watching them a beautiful Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler was flitting about overhead, but would not come lower and cooperate for a photo.
Later in the afternoon along this same stretch I notice several Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the trees along the east dyke trail. Once I had made my way over there,
Hutton’s Vireo
… I was delighted that the first photos I took were of a Hutton’s Vireo.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Next up was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet I originally came over to get. Both these species are usually quite busy and can be challenging to get photos of. They are also quite similar in appearance and this was a good opportunity to see them together for comparison.
