Black-crowned Night-Heron – Page 4 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Bittern, Night-Heron & Eagle

The Easter long weekend is always one of the busiest at Reifel. It was my turn to volunteer and help out on the trails today. With the good weather continuing there was no shortage in visitors to the sanctuary. While still fairly quiet on the birding front,

… an American bittern was present again in the northwest pond delighting those that had the chance to see it. It was coming and going to the same area all day.

Later in the afternoon two of the remaining Black-crowned Night-Heron started moving around. One was fishing in Fuller’s Slough, but unfortunately was hidden by trees. The other was flitting about the trees,

… and ended up in one across from the foot of the east dyke trail. Roosting in plain view and unobstructed by branches does not happen often here with these birds. Needless to say once the camera was set up on it, I had a steady stream of admirers stopping to take a look. So much so, I finished off my afternoon here.

And just for fun on the way home,

… this shot of a Bald Eagle taking off from a tree top.

Out Again At Last

With the weather, work and other commitments it has been almost two weeks since I have had a chance to post. Finally this morning I had an opportunity to head out before the weather changes again. First stop of the day was Reifel. One of the Black-crowned Night-Herons was in the bramble a little closer to the trail,

… unfortunately it was still obstructed by a few branches.

Along the east dyke trail I spent a little time with some of the regulars.

Along the centre dyke trail the Pacific Crab Apple was popular this morning.

Attracting both American Robins,

… and Cedar Waxwings.

It has been several months since I last photographed any Waxwings.

So it was fun to spend a little time with them.

On my way out there was a fairly bedraggled looking immature Bald Eagle in the parking lot. It was soaking wet from what I suspect may have been a failed attempt at a duck.

It was now roosting in this snag, wings spread and trying to dry out.

Second stop of the day was Boundary Bay. I wanted to have another go for the American Tree Sparrows. After not locating them where they had been last time,

… I back tracked a little to where I had noticed some White-crowned Sparrows. On closer examination I found the American Tree Sparrows busy foraging in the grass. Now it was just a matter of waiting,

… for them make there way into the branches.

A little patience was in order,

… as they were not always in the open for their short stays in the trees.

But it was worth the wait as they were cooperating this afternoon.

I had been out for several hours now, was getting cold and it was time to head home.

However, I could not pass up this parting shot of a Snowy Owl roosting in the logs across from where the Tree Sparrows were. It was here on its own away from the others.

Merganser, Eagle, Owl & Heron

Another winter migrant that has been spotted recently is the Common Redpoll. Good numbers were seen the other day at Reifel, so that is where I headed this afternoon. I started off down the east dyke trail, but no sign of them along there. On a diversion to the blind overlooking Ewan Slough and the Alaksen National Wildlife area,

… this Hooded Merganser was busy trying to position its catch to swallow it. On the far side of the slough,

… this Bald Eagle was basking in the sun on a log in the water. There were also four Pied-billed Grebe around as well, just not close enough for decent photos.

While continuing my search for the Redpoll along the centre dyke trail,

… I came across this Barred Owl roosting in a Birch tree. A favourite spot for it of late, just the first time I have managed to see and photograph it here. I ended up spending a fair bit of time here with my camera set up and showing the owl to other visitors.

It was getting late now and I resigned myself to the fact the Redpoll would have to wait for another day. As a consolation though,

… one of the Black-crowned Night-Heron was roosting in the open with the last of the light on my way back to the parking lot.