Blog – Page 53 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Swamp & Harris’s Sparrows

Despite being an overcast and drizzly day I made my way out to Reifel this afternoon. While no longer a nemesis bird, I would still like to get some pictures of the Swamp Sparrow again this year. It did not take too long after arriving in the tower area to get my first fleeting glimpse, but then nothing. I thought to myself again that would probably be it,

… but some time later one of the Swamp Sparrows popped up.

It was feeding on the seeds atop the tall grass.

It was some distance away and the light was poor, but it was good to finally get some good looks and pictures of it for this winter. Bonus bird of the day,

… was the Harris’s Sparrow on the way out with the last of the light.

Grebe & Merganser

I headed out to Brunswick Point in the sunshine this afternoon. The goal today was Northern Shrike. It did not take too long before finding one hunting the marsh from the tree tops adjacent to the dyke. Unfortunately it was not in a good spot for photos. I made my way a little further along to a better location for photos and one they tend to frequent. While waiting,

… the Short-eared Owl and Northern Harrier were active and harassing each as they often do. The Northern Shrike, alas, did not show up.

Prior to starting my walk along the dyke I noticed the usual cormorants along with Horned Grebe, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser in the river. With the sun starting to go down and the water calm I made my way back.

One of the Horned Grebe was fishing in fairly close to the river bank.

The Red-breasted Merganser were a little further out but I did manage a shot. The Common Goldeneye had moved off to far. The mouth of the river at Canoe Pass can be a good spot to see some these sea ducks.

American Tree Sparrow

I have made a few trips out to Boundary Bay trying to get more pictures of the American Tree Sparrows. I managed to see six a couple of day ago, but no photos. Being a slightly brighter grey day outside today, I was back out there again this afternoon.