Purple Finch – Page 2 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

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.

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.

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

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

Finch, Eagle & Owl

Later this afternoon I made my way out to Boundary Bay. As it has been since late November, there were lots of people at the foot of 72 St. to see the Snowy Owls. With over twenty owls present the last while, and several in close to the dyke, nobody was disappointed. After enjoying them myself for a few minutes I headed east along the dyke looking for something else. Some American Tree Sparrows, another infrequent visitor, have been seen the last few days. While I did get a fleeting glimpse of one, nothing close enough to photograph.

The consolation bird while looking for the sparrows were some Purple Finches.

The female Purple Finches were busy feeding on berries in the same area,

… and I managed to get these shots of one in a tree beside the trail.

The sun was going down fast and as I was about to head back to the Snowy Owls,

… this Bald Eagle made a low pass over the dyke headed out to the shoreline.

On returning to the Snowy Owls only one was left in close to the dyke with the rest now roosting on logs further out in the marsh.

This lone bird seemed fairly relaxed and not overly concerned with the admirers that still remained. The light was getting pretty low at this point,

… but I could not leave without a couple of photos of one these beauties.

Another Flycatcher for the List

This afternoons walk was to Reifel. The plan was to check for some of the more elusive and camera shy warblers again.

I started off down the east dyke trail and came across this Spotted Towhee which struck a pose for me. So I had to stop and take a photo.

On reaching the northeast corner I could see lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers moving in the trees. I set up on a trail leading down to a blind overlooking Ewan Slough, watched and listened. It was not long before I could hear a couple of Wilson’s Warblers calling on either side of the path. One of the more elusive warblers I was hoping to get. While waiting to see if they would come out in to the open,

… this flycatcher flew in instead.

A Hammond’s Flycatcher, which is a new addition to my photo list.

One of the Wilson’s Warblers did pop out briefly a couple of times.

But still not as close and clean a shot as I would like to try and get.

Also hanging the same corner were this Downy Woodpecker,

… and what I believe to be a Purple Finch. If I am wrong on this one, someone will likely let me know. There was also a Pine Siskin around, but no good photo ops.