Purple Finch – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Barn + Short-eared Owls

Headed out to Boundary Bay on a cool and overcast afternoon. On arriving there were several other photographers watching some Short-eared Owls close to 72 St. Still wanting to find some wintering sparrows I continued east beyond them, but did not get too far before this Short-eared Owl landed on a fence post beside me.

While scanning the fields it started vocalizing.

Then prepared to take flight again.

Kind of hard to ignore them when they are providing opportunities like this.

The flight shots were taken as they were hunting over the golf course. After this diversion I continued east and spotted some activity in a crabapple.

This Purple Finch was busy feasting on the berries. Further along while watching some sparrows,

… I was pleasantly surprised when this Barn Owl flew in landing briefly.

It then moved a short distance away to another stump while continuing to scan the marsh,

… and then flew off over the tall grass on the north side of the dyke. The Barn Owl was a definite bonus for today’s walk.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve this year fell on a Sunday and my usual afternoon to volunteer at Reifel. There was not much of a crowd and it was fairly quiet on the birding front as well. Fortunately some of the regulars were cooperating.

Such as this House Finch,

… and Purple Finch. Later in the day while trying to track down a woodpecker I could hear drumming on a tree,

… this Brown Creeper made a brief appearance next to me. And to finish the day of was the source of the drumming,

… a Downy Woodpecker.

Merry Christmas!

Night-Heron, Finch & Falcon

It was sunny and cold when I made my way to help out at Reifel this afternoon. On arriving the parking lot was not anywhere near close to being full. Perhaps the Canucks and Grey Cup games had something to do with it. Highlight from the morning walk was a Golden Eagle. On starting out my attention was immediately drawn to one of the regular Night-Heron trees.

One of the juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron present this fall/winter was sitting relatively in the open. Next stop was the platform over looking Fullers Slough. Apparently the Harris’s Sparrow was seen there in the morning, but I could not locate it. From there I made my out to the tower. From the high ground I scanned the skies, but no sign of the Golden Eagle. One of the regular Great Horned Owls was along the east dyke trail, but still not in a good spot for photos. Later in the afternoon,

… along the centre dyke trail I manage this shot of a Purple Finch feeding on the berries. And as the sun was starting to set on my way back,

… this Peregrine Falcon in the usual raptor snag.