Sparrow, Finch & Eagle

It was not too bad of an afternoon for a walk despite still being cold and windy. I headed out to the Boundary Bay area again. There was one group of Golden-crowned Sparrows busy foraging both on the ground and in the trees.

Golden-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow

I managed a few shots while they were eating the buds on the branches. Then I could hear something different singing higher up in the trees.

Purple Finch
Purple Finch

Some Purple Finches had arrived, but were not coming down lower or any closer. As there were several soaring overhead most of the afternoon,

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle

… I could not leave without at least one shot of a Bald Eagle.

A Ducky Day

Daylight saving time.
Did you remember to change the clock on your camera along with all the others today?

With the next storm front delayed, it meant there was a slight break in the weather today. Unfortunately it was still fairly windy and on the cool side. Being Sunday, I headed out to Reifel to help on the trails. From a birding perspective, it is still fairly quiet at the sanctuary. Wanting to stay out of the wind, the display ponds provided some waterfowl opportunities.

Greater Scaup
Greater Scaup

First up was this male Greater Scaup,

Greater Scaup
Greater Scaup

… followed by a female.

Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail

Next up were some male Northern Pintails,

Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail

… busy strutting their stuff as spring approaches.

Bufflehead
Bufflehead

Then the smaller male Bufflehead,

Bufflehead
Bufflehead

… whose head is iridescent in the right light.

Gadwall
Gadwall

The inside sloughs had some Gadwall,

Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler

… and Northern Shoveler.

To finish the afternoon off, a couple of portraits.

Wood Duck
Wood Duck

This female Wood Duck,

Wood Duck
Wood Duck

… and her male counterpart that were hanging around near the entrance.

Great Blue Heron

When the rain appeared it was going to subside for awhile I headed out to the Boundary Bay area for a walk. Still lots of Bald Eagles around, a Cooper’s Hawk and some of the usual sparrows. The only one that was going to oblige for a photo,

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron

… was this Great Blue Heron. The brief reprieve from the weather was over as it started to rain again putting an end to my walk.