Tag: Barred Owl

Great Blue Heron & Barred Owl

Still on the cool side, it was not a bad day weather wise today. This afternoon’s walk was at Reifel which can be a little quieter on the people front during the week. So while the trails were relatively peaceful, I was not having much luck with subjects willing to pose for the camera. When all else fails,

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron

… you can always fall back on one of the regulars. This Great Blue Heron was roosting on some dead fall along the inside of the centre dyke trail. Another regular I have not seen for sometime inside the sanctuary,

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

… is the Barred Owl. When I started my walk it was tucked away in the trees in the northeast corner. Great for viewing, but a lousy spot/lighting for photos. Towards the end of the day I made my way back by the same corner and found the Barred Owl had moved to this tree out in the open.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

Certainly cannot complain about this opportunity. Once again the regulars show how they can come through in a pinch.

Merganser, Eagle, Owl & Heron

Another winter migrant that has been spotted recently is the Common Redpoll. Good numbers were seen the other day at Reifel, so that is where I headed this afternoon. I started off down the east dyke trail, but no sign of them along there. On a diversion to the blind overlooking Ewan Slough and the Alaksen National Wildlife area,

Hooded Merganser
Hooded Merganser

… this Hooded Merganser was busy trying to position its catch to swallow it. On the far side of the slough,

Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle

… this Bald Eagle was basking in the sun on a log in the water. There were also four Pied-billed Grebe around as well, just not close enough for decent photos.

While continuing my search for the Redpoll along the centre dyke trail,

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

… I came across this Barred Owl roosting in a Birch tree. A favourite spot for it of late, just the first time I have managed to see and photograph it here. I ended up spending a fair bit of time here with my camera set up and showing the owl to other visitors.

It was getting late now and I resigned myself to the fact the Redpoll would have to wait for another day. As a consolation though,

Black-crowned Night-Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron

… one of the Black-crowned Night-Heron was roosting in the open with the last of the light on my way back to the parking lot.