Ring-billed Gull – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Grebes, Gulls & Loons

After dropping off family that were visiting for the long weekend at the ferry, I noticed there were several Loons along the causeway. Not having been there in a while, thought I would give them a try today. Of course there were none in sight when I started my walk.

There were, however, good numbers of Horned Grebe.

They were busy diving and catching small fish. While a little leery initially,

… they went about their activities not too far off from the shoreline. I was not the only one interested in the Grebes.

This Ring-billed Gull was adhering to the old adage, why catch your own when you can take someone else’s.

A couple of Bonapate’s Gulls hoping for the same did not fair as well. As I continued along the ferry causeway towards the terminal there were some Loons.

Unfortunately, despite the high tied they were not coming in that close this afternoon.

Of course there are always some of the regulars along the causeway to make up for this. Such as the Black Oystercatcher, of which there were about six around,

… and a few Great Blue Heron. Then on my way back with the sun going down,

… one last chance for a Common Loon with this juvenile.

Accipiter, Sandpipers & Gull

Headed out to Boundary Bay a littler earlier this afternoon. I wanted to get there before the tide started to come in. The hope being to get some sandpipers out on the sand. On starting out west along the dyke from 104 St. there was not much around. There was one Peregrine Falcon around which could be problematic. Then on reaching 96 St. there was another bird of prey,

… this Cooper’s Hawk. While watching the accipiter I noticed some shore birds arriving. I made my way down to the beach and located a couple of small groups of mixed birds.

First up were some Least Sandpipers.

I managed a couple of shots while they foraged amongst the sea weed,

… and then standing atop a pile of it.

Next up were the larger Baird’s Sandpiper.

I managed to get fairly close again to these birds.

With this one quite willing to strike a classic pose. I was hoping to find some Pectoral Sandpipers and spend some time with them now they are back in the area. No such luck today so the consolation bird,

… was this immature Ring-billed Gull.

It was busy along the shoreline now that the tide was coming in,

… and provided a few photo opportunities to finish off the afternoon.

Grebe, Gulls & Tern

This mornings walk was at Reifel. A Sora had been seen there yesterday, but no luck locating it today. It was quiet on the shore bird front, but of note was one Wilson’s Phalarope. Apparently it had been in close by the tower, but when I located it, it was too far off for photos. One other interesting find that was a little more cooperative,

… was this Pied-billed Grebe juvenile.

Unfortunately when I managed to capture it with a fish it was in a lousy spot for light.

Later this afternoon I went out to Boundary Bay for the high tide. Not much luck there either with not much being brought in close enough by the rising tide. But there were some gulls that provided convenient fly-bys.

This California Gull,

… and a Ring-billed Gull.

And a nice finish to the afternoon was this Caspian Tern.