Bewick’s Wren – Page 2 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Bewick’s Wren & Cooper’s Hawk

It was back out to the Boundary Bay area this last afternoon of the four day Easter long weekend. Not long into my walk there was one song that caught my attention.

It was that of a Bewick’s Wren.

Unfortunately, from a photography perspective, it stayed in amongst the bramble and dead fall. It would not perch any higher with a cleaner background, but this is how you would often see them.

The other highlight of the afternoon,

… was a pair of Cooper’s Hawks. This one being the female with unfinished prey.

The male was not far away being just a little further in to the stand of trees. You can also see some fresh blood on its breast feathers and a full crop. Both had just eaten and were content to roost in the trees not being concerned with me while I took my photos. This is likely the pair that has been nesting in this area the last few years.

It was also nice to finally see blossoms coming out on some of the trees. These actually tie in with the Cooper’s Hawk in that the tree with the pink blossoms is where they nested last year.

First Willow Of The Season

Not long into my walk after the rain there was the familiar “fitz-bew” I had not yet heard this year. After moving to the area of the call, scanning the bush and tree tops, I found the source of the call.

My first Willow Flycatcher of the season. A rather distant shot, so I decided to spend some time in the area. While waiting for the Willow Flycatcher to cooperate,

… this Common Yellowthroat was foraging for bugs in the bushes.

The Lazuli Buntings were still in the area,

… and would routinely stop by and sing.

Also paying a visit was this Bewick’s Wren. It seemed everything but the Willow was going to provide photo ops. Obviously it is going to take a return trip or two to try for some better shots now that they are back.

Bewicks’s & Great Horned

Well it has been about a week since my last post. Unusual for me, although I had managed one outing, no pictures or news to speak of. Plans changed a couple of times this morning, but once all was said and done, there was a chance for an afternoon stroll.

I headed out to Reifel as there were still a couple of birds around on my list to see and hopefully photograph. Along the east dyke trail there were some Yellow Warblers singing and moving between the trees. I spent some time listening, watching and waiting to see if they would move to an area where I could at least attempt some photos. While it was fun to see them again, they were not going to cooperate for any shots.

Then a noisy Bewick’s Wren caught my attention.

With a little coaxing,

… it did pop up a couple of times and provide some photo ops.

I continued checking the east dyke and inside trails, but to no avail for the other birds I was wanting to see. The stand-by to fall back on this afternoon was a Great Horned Owl. It was roosting in the trees at the junction of the east and north dyke trails. I had stopped by earlier but did not like the light at the time. Given where the bird was, it was still on the harsh side.

After preening it took time to strech its wings.

It kept them fanned out like this for a few minutes.

It then took up a more familiar posture. The sanctuary was closing in a few minutes and I had to leave. Too bad, as the light would have been a lot better in an hour or so.