Blog – Page 38 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

American Golden-Plover

It was back out to Boundary Bay this afternoon, only this time I arrived a couple of hours before high tide. While the sun did peek through a few times, it was overcast for the most part. On heading west along the tidal flats from 104 St. things were pretty quiet. As I approached the pilings there were signs of activity. The Plover flock was spread out between there and 96 St.

In with the Plovers were some Dowitchers foraging in close to the dyke. For the most part the Plovers were pretty wary of me and kept there distance. Well not all of them as it turned out.

Much to my delight this American Golden-Plover was in amongst the others and was a little more cooperative.

While it did not let me get too close, I did manage a few shots. This was definitely a pleasant surprise for the afternoon.

After this I spotted a group of Pectoral Sandpipers further out on the tidal flats. I made my way out there, but there was no Sharp-tailed Sandpiper with them.

On my way back in with the tide,

… I spent some time trying to get shots of the many American Pipits that were busy along the shoreline.

A fun diversion prior to heading back up on to the dyke.

Franklin’s Gull + Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

With some good birds being seen in Boundary Bay recently I headed out there this afternoon. I could not get out there until later than I would have liked. It was overcast and the tide was just starting to make its way in as I headed west along the tidal flats from 104 St. While the plover flock as active along the water line, I was surprised at the lack of shorebirds in closer to the dyke.

There was this lone Pectoral Sandpiper,

… and a Baird’s Sandpiper with an injured eye. On reaching the pilings the rising tide forced me up on to the dyke.

I decided to stick around a little longer as there were still lots of birds active along the beach. Just west of the pilings,

… the Franklin’s Gull spotted the other day was present again. Continuing west a small group of mixed shorebirds landed close to the dyke. A quick scan of the group showed Pectoral Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper (including the one with the injured eye),

… and the one I had been hoping to see, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. I signalled a few other patient birders further to the east so they could see the Sharp-tailed before it got too dark. Now I will just have to hope for another opportunity with this bird under better conditions.

Great Horned + Dowitchers

It was a pleasant afternoon and a half decent crowd at Reifel when I arrived to help out on the trails today. A favourite visitors are always asking about is owls,

… and much to their delight one of the Great Horned Owls was in a decent spot for viewing today. While the adults and two juveniles this year have been viewable from a distance earlier in the year, this was probably the closest one has been in a while.

With not much else happening,

… I decided to spend some time with the Dowitchers.

They were in the southwest field along with some Yellowlegs,

… with a few taking advantage of the great day for a little bathing.