Killdeer – Page 2 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

American Golden-Plover

Given the wonderful weather we have been having, today’s overcast skies and cooler temperatures was a change of pace. After starting my walk at Boundary Bay it was not long before I noticed some movement just west of 104 St. At first glance I could make out some American Pipits. But on closer examination, something larger caught my eye.

It was an American Golden-Plover.

It has been about three years since I was last able to photograph one.

The American Golden-Plover will venture in closer to the dyke and away from the main flocks of Black-bellied Plovers. This can make it a little easier to get photos of one.

The American Golden-Plover is a regular, but uncommon visitor at this time of year while migrating from the arctic all the way to South America.

One of our regular plovers for this area is the Killdeer.

The Killdeer can usually be seen year round and also nests in this area. The Black-bellied Plovers were also present in large numbers today, but as usual were not going to let me get close. That is OK though, with American Golden-Plover already stealing the spotlight.

Killdeer & Cedar Waxwing

Started off this afternoon at Reifel. While still fairly quiet there was a Red-necked Phalarope in with the Yellowlegs and Dowitchers today. It just never came close enough for a decent photo. There was also a handful of Least Sandpipers present as well. At the other end of the outer ponds,

… the Killdeer and its juvenile (foreground) were a little closer to the dyke.

The juvenile Killdeer has grown quite a bit since I saw it last. From here I headed off to the North 40 where I had not been in some time. Things were not looking any busier there until something caught my eye amongst the branches of a tree.

It was a juvenile Cedar Waxwing.

And not far off higher up in an adjacent tree was one of the adults. Being the wonderful late afternoon that it was I felt this was worth spending a little time with.

The juvenile Cedar Waxwing was mobile, but not flying yet. I positioned myself far enough away as not to be a concern for the adults, but still close enough for photos. Then it was a matter of keeping still, waiting and hoping to catch some feeding behaviour.

Then one of the adults came in to feed the juvenile.

This time around it was regurgitating whole berries. Unfortunately the juvenile had moved and was not as visible as I would have liked.

Next feeding appeared to be some nice gooey insects.

After which the juvenile did come out a little more into the open,

… and then started to move around again.

Once it had settled in this tree I decided it was time to move on. This was the first time I have managed to capture this behaviour with the Waxwings and enjoyed every minute of it.

Duck, Gull, Sandpipers & Plovers

Not having been there in several days I headed out to Reifel this afternoon. It was fairly quiet for a Sunday as far as people go. It was also relatively quiet on the birding front as well. New arrivals are still showing up,

… but the Gadwall due tend to be a little later with their broods.

On the shore bird front there were a number of Yellowlegs present.

Today most of those present,

… were Lesser Yellowlegs.

One bird I would not expect to find on the inner ponds,

… was this Bonaparte’s Gull.

Around here you would normally find them in open water and along the shore line.

There were four Red-necked Phalaropes,

… but they were not coming very close to the dyke.

After Reifel I headed down to Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen for the high tide. A Pacific Golden Plover had been seen there earlier in the week.

It had been seen frequenting the area with some Semipalmated Plovers,

… and Killdeer. While I managed some shots of the Semipalmated Plovers and Killdeer, there was no sign of the Golden Plover.