Common Redpoll

As another great year of birding and photography comes to a close, there were several highlights that come to mind for 2012.

One nemesis bird I had been trying to get better shots of,

… was the Common Redpoll.

A life list addition was the Red-necked Stint,

… which is a rare visitor and not photographed often around here.

A couple of shore birds I have not managed to photograph for a few years.

A Ruff (juvenile),

… the American Golden-Plover,

… and after several attempts,

… the White-throated Sparrow.

While not the best day for photos,

… the Cave Swallow was another life list addition.

The last life list addition of the year,

… was the Sage Thrasher this month.

Happy New Year!

Over the winter I have made several trips out to locations around here where Common Redpoll had been sighted. These outings netted me neither sightings or photos. Yesterday took me to Deas Island Park, a spot I had not been in some time. Lo and behold, I came across a small flock of Common Redpoll. Unfortunately they were high up in the trees, which is normal, and the back light was too bright. I did manage a few record shots which I did not bother to blog about.

Hoping for better luck I returned today. I located them again early into my walk and once again they were in a poor spot for photos. They then moved off out of sight and I lost track of them. After several laps around the park I was on my way out when I located them again along the same stretch of trail as yesterday.