Semipalmated Plover – Page 4 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

A Buffy Day

Later this afternoon I headed out Boundary Bay. I knew the tide was going to be low, but was hoping to find some of the regulars along the beach. I started off at 104 St. and headed west to 96 St. without seeing anything. At 96 St. I headed down from the dyke and out on to the beach, waiting and watching. It was not too long before I noticed a small group come in settle on the beach.

It was a small group of Semipalmated Plovers.

These are probably the smallest plovers seen around here, about 18 cm in length.

It took a little time before I got these shots.

I took my time allowing the group to be comfortable with me there.

This is probably the closest I have gotten to these tiny plovers.

Next up were some Least Sandpipers.

They are not very big either, only about 15 cm in length,

… but a couple came in fairly close.

For size comparison to the next bird of the day, here is Least Sandpiper with a Baird`s Sandpiper in the background.

The Baird`s Sandpiper is a little larger at 19 cm in length.

I ended up only about 7-8 m from this group.

While some in this group were busy foraging,

… others like the one in the background were content to rest.

Being so close to all these birds I probably spent more time just watching and enjoying than photographing.

It was now just after 6:30 pm and I decided to start back toward 104 St. Still checking out the regulars along my way, something different caught my attention as I approached the old pilings.

A lone Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Definitely the bonus bird for the day, and as I have been discussing size of the others, the largest at 21 cm in length.

While I had only come out for, and was quite happy with the regulars,

… locating one of the rarer shore birds seen here each year was great. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper normally migrates south through the interior of Canada, but we will usually get a few sightings each fall here on the west coast.

Could not ask for a better finish to a lovely afternoon on Boundary Bay.

Duck, Gull, Sandpipers & Plovers

Not having been there in several days I headed out to Reifel this afternoon. It was fairly quiet for a Sunday as far as people go. It was also relatively quiet on the birding front as well. New arrivals are still showing up,

… but the Gadwall due tend to be a little later with their broods.

On the shore bird front there were a number of Yellowlegs present.

Today most of those present,

… were Lesser Yellowlegs.

One bird I would not expect to find on the inner ponds,

… was this Bonaparte’s Gull.

Around here you would normally find them in open water and along the shore line.

There were four Red-necked Phalaropes,

… but they were not coming very close to the dyke.

After Reifel I headed down to Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen for the high tide. A Pacific Golden Plover had been seen there earlier in the week.

It had been seen frequenting the area with some Semipalmated Plovers,

… and Killdeer. While I managed some shots of the Semipalmated Plovers and Killdeer, there was no sign of the Golden Plover.

Sandpipers & Plovers

While not in full swing yet, the shore bird migration has started. Today I waited until late afternoon, early evening to head out to Boundary Bay. The tied was out, but you can usually find something out in the sand or around the small tidal pools. It was looking pretty quiet at first, but then some movement caught my attention. It was a small group of Semipalmated Sandpipers. I continued past them on the dyke before making my way down to the beach and back tracking.

Least Sandpiper & Semipalmated Sandpiper

On approaching I noticed another bird in with the Semipalmated Sandpipers.

It was a Least Sandpiper taking a bath along with one of the Semipalmated. I made my way slowly to the edge of the tidal pool, set up and waited. Rather than chase them, I prefer to wait and let the birds come to me.

It was the Semipalmated Sandpipers that made their way towards me first.

I was set up as I would normally be for shooting shore birds.

Tripod collapsed low and down on my knees.

Being down at their level gives you a natural perspective and pleasing photo.

Finally the lone Least Sandpiper came my way.

I was beginning to wonder if it ever would.

I will usually try to get them foraging,

… along with the more classic portrait.

While photographing the sandpipers something else caught my eye.

Some Semipalmated Plovers had shown up and were scurrying around the beach.

This is the smallest Plover we would normally see around here.

This one has pulled some tasty little morsel out of the sand. It was a good afternoon and chance to practice technique before things really pick up around the bay area.