Blog – Page 21 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

More Redpolls

Originally it was supposed to be our first sunny day in a while. Instead we ended up with a fog alert. In spite of this, there was still a good crowd at Reifel when I arrived to help out this afternoon. I was anticipating the brighter day and better photo opportunities with the Common Redpoll. The weather did briefly get a little better,

… and the Common Redpoll flock was still around.

At this point they were along the inside grassy trail.

While not quite what I was hoping for, I did manage a few nice shots.

This photo from the base of the tower later in the afternoon is more indicative of what the weather was like most of the day.

Common Redpoll

There was only a handful of visitors when I arrived to help out at Reifel this afternoon. Not surprising given the rain and wind. Highlight from the morning walk were some Common Redpoll seen along the inside grassy trail. I started off down the east dyke where a Great Horned Owl was at the northeast corner in one of its usual roosts. Along the centre dyke trail,

… a Barred Owl was also in one of its regular spots in a birch tree. Then while making my way back to the middle of the display ponds where all the trails converge (sometimes referred to as the triangle),

… I came across the large flock of Common Redpoll.

They were busy feeding on the catkins.

It has been a while since I have had a chance to photograph Common Redpoll. Despite the weather, it was the bright spot of my day.

Barn + Short-eared Owls

Headed out to Boundary Bay on a cool and overcast afternoon. On arriving there were several other photographers watching some Short-eared Owls close to 72 St. Still wanting to find some wintering sparrows I continued east beyond them, but did not get too far before this Short-eared Owl landed on a fence post beside me.

While scanning the fields it started vocalizing.

Then prepared to take flight again.

Kind of hard to ignore them when they are providing opportunities like this.

The flight shots were taken as they were hunting over the golf course. After this diversion I continued east and spotted some activity in a crabapple.