Sharp-tailed Sandpiper – Page 3 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

As the year comes to a close it is time to reflect on some of my birding highlights of 2011.

An elusive winter visitor that can be challenging to get photos of,

… this Long-eared Owl provided a few good opportunities.

After a few unsuccessful attempts for this rare visitor to British Columbia,

… I eventually did manage a few shots of this Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Another addition to my list this year was a Red Knot.

Hardly a great photo, but nice to finally get one and see this shore bird.

Having photos of a juvenile bird,

… I had a chance to get this adult Bar-tailed Godwit while roosting with some Plovers.

From a birding perspective,

… I believe this was the only Buff-breasted Sandpiper sighted in Boundary Bay this fall migration.

After a few years of waiting,

… I finally managed to get close to a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper down on the beach.

And to finish what has been another great year,

… the bird that got me started with birding and bird photography make a return in 2011.

Happy New Year!

Circumstances are still such that time out in the field is really limited these days. On seeing continued reports of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in Boundary Bay, I knew I would have to take advantage of any small opportunities to get out. One such chance was on Friday, but no Sharp-tailed was to be found.

Another small window opened this afternoon and I was back out to Boundary Bay checking the beach west of 104 St. I spoke to a fellow birder who mentioned that one had been seen this morning in the company of a Pectoral Sandpiper. A glimmer of hope that started to fade after three passes along the beach and only locating two Pectorals.

I was heading back to the car on my fourth and final trip along the beach when,

… eureka! The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper had finally returned.

While I have managed a couple of record shots previously,

… I have been waiting a few years for a chance to photograph one along the beach.

This particular bird was being quite cooperative,

… allowing me to tag along while it foraged for food.

The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper is a rare Eurasian migrant.

The Boundary Bay area will usually have a couple of sightings each fall, usually juveniles like this one. There have been two birds being seen here over the last two weeks.

It took a brief time-out and rested on a hummock,

… then it was back to working the waterline looking for food again.

Needless to say I was delighted to finally have this chance with a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

Tag: Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Birding Highlights Of 2011

Finally A Sharp-tailed Day