Blog – Page 9 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Harris’s Sparrow

It was sort of a mixed bag weather wise this afternoon while helping out at Reifel. Overcast, some rain and the occasional bright spot. In spite of this there was still a half decent number of visitors. Target bird today was a Harris’s Sparrow that was observed yesterday.

I made my way out the east dyke trail to the northeast corner where it had been spotted. This actually allows a good view along both the east and north dyke trails. Spent a little time chatting with some other birders looking for the bird, but there was just the regulars at the corner. Not long after they left I noted lots of activity along the north dyke trail closer to the tower. As I got a little closer I spotted the Harris’s Sparrow on the ground. It, along with the other birds, got flushed back into the bushes when people passed by. I stopped and set up once I got to the general area. There was a lull in people along the trail,

… and the Harris’s Sparrow eventually made an appearance again. One just has to be patient and wait for those quiet moments along the trail,

… as the birds will reappear. The Harris’s Sparrow was very cooperative and provided good viewing and photo opportunities. Definitely the bright spot on a mostly dreary afternoon.

Palm Warbler + Shrike

For this afternoon’s walk I headed out to Brunswick Point. Both Swamp Sparrows and Palm Warblers had been sighted there recently. On starting out there was not much in the river or at the pilings. Arriving at the first set of benches where the Swamp Sparrow had been spotted, all was quiet. Carrying on from there I made my way to the second set of benches. There was some activity here,

… and after a few minutes a Palm Warbler popped up into the branches.

It stayed long enough for me to get a couple of shots. I also noted a second Palm Warbler while photographing this one.

My attention was then drawn to a Northern Shrike that was active further along the trail.

I managed to catch up to it and tagged along for a short while.

It was active along the marsh and the small stand of trees below the dyke prior to the farm house.

On my way back I stopped again at the second set of benches.

Luck was on my side as one of the Palm Warblers made another brief appearance for me.

The Northern Shrike also showed up again. While this bird appears to be a juvenile, there was also an adult Northern Shrike present when I reached the first set of benches.

Finally getting some photos of a Palm Warbler was definitely the highlight of today’s walk.

Belted Kingfisher

Just over a month ago on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Reifel I managed a photo of a Belted Kingfisher. For that I was along an inside trail shooting towards a perch they were frequenting adjacent the centre dyke trail.

Today on a sunny Sunday afternoon one was active in the same area again. This time while walking along the centre dyke trail I could hear it coming and then spotted it landing on a snag near the inside trail overlooking the pond. I moved slowly to an opening between the trees,

… and managed to get this photo of the Belted Kingfisher. A much better opportunity on a lovely day with softer colours in the background.