Northern Saw-whet Owl – Page 4 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Northern Saw-whet Owl & Pintail

It was still overcast when I headed out, but the wind was fading and the rain holding off. There was only a handful of people at Reifel. This can be a good thing in terms of it being quiet and a good chance for photography. Unfortunately it was just as quiet on the birding front with the ponds even being devoid of much activity. While walking the east dyke trail I checked in on the usual Northern Saw-whet that is most vulnerable. It was present again this afternoon, but initially had its back to me. Just as I was about to continue it slowly turned around and seemed to be watching the song birds on the trail.

This provided a brief opportunity to photograph this little beauty awake and with its eyes open. It then casually turned back around and went back to sleep, with a big thank-you from me of course. The other trails were not turning up much so I checked the inside ponds. The problem being the overcast skies were not providing the right light to generate nice reflective colours on the water.

The closest I got to what I was looking for was this shot of a Northern Pintail. So, not having much luck finding the right reflections/colours,

… you settle for a fun shot like this Wood Duck pair. While these perching ducks are quite at home in the trees, they are equally adept in pillaging the feeders.

Night-Heron & Saw-whet

Hmmm, that title sounds familiar. Probably because it is what I used two weeks ago also on a Sunday and volunteering at Reifel. While there was a few other things to see, it was the same two birds that provided the best photo opportunities.

One of the six Black-crowned Night-Heron currently in the sanctuary was roosting on a fallen tree in Fuller’s Slough. As I mentioned in another recent post, always fun to get them in different spots.

While there was a high count of five Northern Saw-whet Owls not long ago, my last few visits I have only ever managed to see one. Such was the case again this afternoon.

A lot of visitors were walking right by it as it was tucked away lower in the branches today. I took several groups back so they could get a look at it. To get this shot the tripod was collapsed all the way down looking up under the tree. I also used a cable release and the mirror up function as the shutter speed was quite low.

Night-Heron & Saw-whet

Weather wise there was a bit of a break while volunteering at Reifel this afternoon. For those that did venture out there today, a couple of the regulars for this time of the year were cooperating for visitors. There were a few Black-crowned Night-Heron,

… one of which was in the open providing great viewing opportunities. The morning bird walk also counted five Northern Saw-whet Owls.

This one snoozing relatively unobstructed delighted many along the east dyke trail. So, it was a good day for viewing the Black-crowned Night-Heron and Northern Saw-whet Owl which are often tucked away and behind branches.