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.

Bewick's Wren
Bewick's Wren

It was that of a Bewick’s Wren.

Bewick's Wren
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,

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk

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

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk

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.

Accipiter, Sandpipers & Gull

Headed out to Boundary Bay a littler earlier this afternoon. I wanted to get there before the tide started to come in. The hope being to get some sandpipers out on the sand. On starting out west along the dyke from 104 St. there was not much around. There was one Peregrine Falcon around which could be problematic. Then on reaching 96 St. there was another bird of prey,

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk

… this Cooper’s Hawk. While watching the accipiter I noticed some shore birds arriving. I made my way down to the beach and located a couple of small groups of mixed birds.

Least Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper

First up were some Least Sandpipers.

Least Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper

I managed a couple of shots while they foraged amongst the sea weed,

Least Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper

… and then standing atop a pile of it.

Baird's Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper

Next up were the larger Baird’s Sandpiper.

Baird's Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper

I managed to get fairly close again to these birds.

Baird's Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper

With this one quite willing to strike a classic pose. I was hoping to find some Pectoral Sandpipers and spend some time with them now they are back in the area. No such luck today so the consolation bird,

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull

… was this immature Ring-billed Gull.

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull

It was busy along the shoreline now that the tide was coming in,

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull

… and provided a few photo opportunities to finish off the afternoon.

Moss Always Grows On …?

Moss always grows on …

Mossy Teddy Bear
Mossy Teddy Bear

… the north side of the teddy bear of course. Obviously this little fellow has been in the nook of this tree for some time. Just one of those little oddities you can come across.

While there was not much on the bird front today,

Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk

… this Cooper’s Hawk did pause briefly for me on the under side of a large tree.