Blog – Page 86 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Teal, Sparrow & Mink

A lovely afternoon, although still on the cool side with the breeze. The intent this afternoon was to try for warblers at Reifel, but I got side tracked again on hearing there were a couple of Cinnamon Teal around. While I did locate one, it was in a pond well off the trail and too far for photos. At another pond they frequent there were some Green-winged Teal.

Not quite the shot I was hoping for, but fun to get this Green-winged Teal pair foraging together. While watching the teal,

… this House Sparrow landed nearby for a short while. Then the bonus shot of the day occurred on my way out along the east dyke trail.

This Mink came running right up to me with a bullfrog in its mouth. The lighting was a little harsh, but there is not much you can do about that in these spur of the moment situations.

Blackbird & Goslings

Things have picked up a little at Reifel. As I noticed the other day at the North 40, lots of Yellow-rumped Warbler have arrived at the sanctuary as well. Another interesting sighting, but no photo, was of a Cinnamon Teal. But the odd man out this afternoon,

… was this Yellow-headed Blackbird. Usually only seen here as they pass through. Iona Island is one spot locally where they will stay. I did not spend any time with the warblers as I got side tracked.

Some of the first Canada Goose goslings have started to arrive.

Hard to pass up these new arrivals up,

… they are just too cute.

Another outing will have to be made to catch up with the warblers.

Savannah Sparrow

It was overcast and windy most of the day, but I did manage a brief walk later this afternoon. I headed out to the North 40 to check on new songbird arrivals. There were noticeably more Yellow-rumped Warblers than on my last visit. As they were sticking to the tree tops hawking for insects, there were no decent photo opportunities. The only subject willing to cooperate,

… was this Savannah Sparrow. There are lots of them in the area now and will usually be found lower down. Much better than shooting up into a grey sky.