Horned Grebe – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Grebe & Merganser

I headed out to Brunswick Point in the sunshine this afternoon. The goal today was Northern Shrike. It did not take too long before finding one hunting the marsh from the tree tops adjacent to the dyke. Unfortunately it was not in a good spot for photos. I made my way a little further along to a better location for photos and one they tend to frequent. While waiting,

… the Short-eared Owl and Northern Harrier were active and harassing each as they often do. The Northern Shrike, alas, did not show up.

Prior to starting my walk along the dyke I noticed the usual cormorants along with Horned Grebe, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser in the river. With the sun starting to go down and the water calm I made my way back.

One of the Horned Grebe was fishing in fairly close to the river bank.

The Red-breasted Merganser were a little further out but I did manage a shot. The Common Goldeneye had moved off to far. The mouth of the river at Canoe Pass can be a good spot to see some these sea ducks.

Grebe & Cormorant

This afternoon’s walk was to Brunswick Point which is one of my favourite spots to try and get Northern Shrike at this time of year. On starting the stroll out the dyke my attention was drawn to the river.

There was a Horned Grebe active near the old cannery pilings,

… along with a Double-crested Cormorant fishing close to the river bank.

The mouth of the river can be a good spot to get a variety of sea birds.

While I did not see any Shrikes, the usual Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls were active over the marsh.

Horned Grebe & Ruddy Duck

It was clearing up and cool when I headed out to Reifel to help out on the trails this afternoon. Just prior to getting there, parked cars were lining both sides of the street watching the Snow Geese in the fields. There was still a good crowd when I arrived at the parking lot. Potential highlight for the day was a Northern Saw-whet Owl along the centre dyke trail. On checking that out first, it had moved on not long before I got there. Other highlights were some Horned Grebe,