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.

Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl

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.

Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail

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,

Wood Duck
Wood Duck

… 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.

A Ducky Day

Daylight saving time.
Did you remember to change the clock on your camera along with all the others today?

With the next storm front delayed, it meant there was a slight break in the weather today. Unfortunately it was still fairly windy and on the cool side. Being Sunday, I headed out to Reifel to help on the trails. From a birding perspective, it is still fairly quiet at the sanctuary. Wanting to stay out of the wind, the display ponds provided some waterfowl opportunities.

Greater Scaup
Greater Scaup

First up was this male Greater Scaup,

Greater Scaup
Greater Scaup

… followed by a female.

Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail

Next up were some male Northern Pintails,

Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail

… busy strutting their stuff as spring approaches.

Bufflehead
Bufflehead

Then the smaller male Bufflehead,

Bufflehead
Bufflehead

… whose head is iridescent in the right light.

Gadwall
Gadwall

The inside sloughs had some Gadwall,

Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler

… and Northern Shoveler.

To finish the afternoon off, a couple of portraits.

Wood Duck
Wood Duck

This female Wood Duck,

Wood Duck
Wood Duck

… and her male counterpart that were hanging around near the entrance.

Mallards, Coots & Northern Pintail

With the cooler weather I spent a little time this afternoon watching and photographing some of the waterfowl on the frozen ponds. Not too many birds around on the ice, but a few opportunities did present themselves. I started off with some Mallards,

Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard
Mallard

…followed by American Coot,

American Coot
American Coot
American Coot
American Coot

… and finishing off with a couple of Northern Pintails.

Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail