Short-eared Owl

Last night John Lowman, Peter Holmes and myself had the pleasure of presenting our photos at the Birds On The Bay, Birds In Focus. An annual event hosted by the Cammidge House Committee and Boundary Bay Regional Park volunteers with slide shows from local bird photographers. Once again, a good time was had by all.

Motivated from the previous evening I headed out to Brunswick Point this afternoon. Prior to starting out along the trail I noticed there were Barrow’s Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser still present in Canoe Pass along with a Horned Grebe and the usual Double-crested Cormorants.

The target bird for this afternoon’s stroll was Short-eared Owls. None were up and about on my first pass along the dyke. On my way back I noticed at least two hunting over the marsh. Having spent time with the owls here before, I headed out a short way into the marsh in an area they frequent and set up the camera. The plan was to be still, patient and wait for them to come to me.

It was not long before one came in to roost briefly on a log.

Obviously not too concerned with me, it came in again and batted its eyelashes,

… and then struck a classic pose. Almost as if it was hamming it up for the camera. After this it was time for some flight shots.

Then it came in again and this time roosted on a nice old stump.

Then it was back to the flight shots again.

This time the owl was coming toward me on my right side.

Then spotting something,

… it changes directions and goes by on the left side. All this with hardly any movement from my original spot. Another great afternoon with these owls.

Merganser, Cormorant, Owls, Harrier & Merlin

It has been about two weeks since I last posted anything from Brunswick Point and Canoe Pass. On that walk there were some interesting sea ducks around, just not great light. This afternoon in Canoe Pass the light was better,

… and a Red-breasted Merganser was still around. There were also some Loons and Grebes, but they were too far off for any pictures. To make up for that,

… one of the several Double-crested Cormorant was more than happy to oblige.

On my walk around Brunswick Point there were still at least half a dozen Snowy Owls present again. Unlike last time they were all further out in the marsh this afternoon. What was active and in a little closer today,

… were the Short-eared Owls. After getting this one taking a time out on the log,

… I spent a little time trying for some flight shots as a few were up and about.

As owls hunt with their ears as well as their eyes,

… they will react to the sound of the shutter, so be ready for it.

Accompanying the owls over the marsh were the usual Northern Harriers.

As the sun was going down behind some fairly dark clouds I was making my way back to the car when I noticed some sparrows scattering into the brambles. Right behind them flying low to the ground and then up into a tree was my bonus bird of the day.

This Merlin was unsuccessful in catching anything and with the awful light I was not sure if I was going to get a usable shot. This one did take a little massaging in post processing, and was a nice finish to the afternoon.

Short-eared Owl

The clouds parted a little later in the afternoon and made for a nice stroll at Brunswick Point. No Rough-legged Hawk or Great Horned Owl at the beginning of the trail like there was my last couple of visits. There were still several Snowy Owls roosting on the logs way out in the marsh, but I was not going to trudge out there. I made my way towards the latter part of the trail in the hope of finding and spending some time with the Northern Shrike. Alas, after waiting in one of its favourite haunts for awhile it was a no show. As I started to make my way back I noticed several Short-eared Owls had taken flight over the marsh.

This particular owl had cooperated for another photographer and once he left, gave me a chance as well while it rested briefly on this log.

I stayed in this spot as the owls were actively flying around me.

While the light was not always quite right,

… they were providing some nice opportunities for flight shots.

They must have all gotten hungry at the same time,

… which worked out well for me.

It would have been better to be a little further out in the marsh, but I cannot complain with the chances these Short-eared Owls gave me before the sun started to fade.