Blog

Knot & Turnstones

It was back to shore birds this afternoon, so I headed out to Boundary Bay. On arriving I met some fellow birders, a few I had not seen in some time. On speaking with them the highlights of the the afternoon had been a Red Knot and a couple of Ruddy Turnstones aside from the usual Black-bellied Plovers and some peeps.

The tide was not going to come in much further than it already was. A few of us took a quick stroll west along the dyke as it had not been checked yet. Not finding anything we returned to the group and chatted for a bit. The group was getting ready to leave so I asked if anyone wanted to take one last look before I headed out on the beach, not wanting to flush anything if they were still interested in watching from the dyke with their scopes. This was when a Red Knot was located again out with the Plovers.

The Red Knot is a bird I do not have a photo of yet. Once the group left I headed out on to the beach and the area the Knot had been seen. I got as close as the Plovers would allow without them moving off. Unfortunately it was not very close at all, which is normally the case with these birds. I stayed put down low watching when I noticed some movement a little closer, but still some distance away.

Red Knot
Red Knot
Red Knot
Red Knot

It was similar to what had been pointed out by the group on the dyke. From this distance I could also see some faint orangey/red in the belly area almost to the flanks.

Red Knot
Red Knot
Red Knot
Red Knot

I am hoping this is a Red Knot, but not being certain posted one of the photos to a local bird group for ID.

Red Knot
Red Knot

Hardly great photos (huge crops), but they are record shots of what hopefully will be another addition to my life photo list.

While watching the Plovers I took a couple of shots of some groups as they flew by. On checking one of the photos a little closer,

Ruddy Turnstone & Black-bellied Plover
Ruddy Turnstone & Black-bellied Plover

… I could see two Ruddy Turnstones. In this crop they are the first two birds followed by  three Black-belied Plovers. So while not actively looking for them, I still managed to capture them.

Heron, Woodpecker & Hornets

Managed a couple of walks today, but not much to show for it. This morning started off with a Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron

It was roosting in a conifer with its feathers all ruffled up.

Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker

This juvenile Downy Woodpecker was the only other photo from the morning. On the shore bird front I did see some Western & Semipalmated Sandpipers, Dunlin, Killdeer, Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs and Dowitchers. None, however, were in decent locations for pictures.

Being such a nice day, I headed out again for a short walk early this evening. Still looking for song birds with the late day sun, it was pretty quiet again with no takers wanting to pose for the camera.

White-faced Hornet Nest
White-faced Hornet Nest

This White-faced Hornet nest was the only photo from this evening.

Another Teasel Day

This afternoons walk for song birds was not turning up much. It gave me time to think and I remembered last year around this time there was a similar set of circumstances. What caught my attention then while passing the time was a particular egg shaped plant with lavender flowers. So I figured why not pay the Fuller’s Teasel a visit again.

Fuller's Teasel
Fuller's Teasel

Last year it was a butterfly on the Teasel, this year it is a bee. While the birds may not have been cooperating, Mother Nature has lots to offer, enjoy and photograph.