Great Blue Heron

Grebes, Gulls & Loons

After dropping off family that were visiting for the long weekend at the ferry, I noticed there were several Loons along the causeway. Not having been there in a while, thought I would give them a try today. Of course there were none in sight when I started my walk.

There were, however, good numbers of Horned Grebe.

They were busy diving and catching small fish. While a little leery initially,

… they went about their activities not too far off from the shoreline. I was not the only one interested in the Grebes.

This Ring-billed Gull was adhering to the old adage, why catch your own when you can take someone else’s.

A couple of Bonapate’s Gulls hoping for the same did not fair as well. As I continued along the ferry causeway towards the terminal there were some Loons.

Unfortunately, despite the high tied they were not coming in that close this afternoon.

Of course there are always some of the regulars along the causeway to make up for this. Such as the Black Oystercatcher, of which there were about six around,

… and a few Great Blue Heron. Then on my way back with the sun going down,

… one last chance for a Common Loon with this juvenile.

Pipit & Heron

This afternoons visit to Boundary Bay for the rising tide was similar to my last. Very minimal shore bird activity or presence at all. Unusual for this area (between 104 St. and the mansion) given the time of year. But not all was lost,

… this American Pipit stayed in one spot for a time allowing me to get quite close. A little out of the ordinary for these birds, usually they are constantly on the move.

Also relaxed and unconcerned with my presence was this Great Blue Heron doing a little stretching. Some of the shore birds I did see were Baird’s, Pectoral and Least Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs, Semipalmated and Black-bellied Plovers.

A number of the tidal pools have dried up as the tide has not been that high of late. Tonight it came up to the dyke. Hopefully this will restore some of these tidal pools making the area more attractive to some of the shore birds.

When the rain appeared it was going to subside for awhile I headed out to the Boundary Bay area for a walk. Still lots of Bald Eagles around, a Cooper’s Hawk and some of the usual sparrows. The only one that was going to oblige for a photo,

… was this Great Blue Heron. The brief reprieve from the weather was over as it started to rain again putting an end to my walk.