Surf Scoter – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Birds By The Seashore

It was a beautiful day to start the Easter long weekend. While I managed to hit more than one spot, the only one with birds cooperating was along the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway.

Harlequin Duck

First up were some Harlequin Ducks.

Harlequin Duck

After a few attempts I managed to get this pair together and both in focus.

Harlequin Duck

This time of year is great for getting the males in breeding plumage.

Horned Grebe

There were a few Horned Grebe around, but they were not coming in too close today.

Common Loon

There were several Common Loons, this one having caught something on its last dive.

Common Loon

Every once and awhile, they would drift in closer to shore.

Mew Gull

Always lots of gulls around, but today I focused on the Mew Gulls.

Mew Gull

This one doing a nice fly-by low over the water.

Common Goldeneye

This Common Goldeneye also surfaced with something after a successful dive.

Common Goldeneye

Then took time to stretch and fan its wings.

Black Scoter & Surf Scoter

To finish the afternoon was a mixed flock of Black Scoter and Surf Scoter.

Surf Scoter

These are the Surf Scoter,

Black Scoter

… and here are the Black Scoter.

Willet, Scoters, Buntings & Grebe

On this lovely Saturday afternoon I decided to head down to the Tsawwassen Ferry causeway. I had a couple of birds in mind for today’s outing. First up was a Willet that has been wintering here for over a dozen years.

Willet

Here it has caught a small crab that happened to wash up onto the log it was roosting on.

Willet

One can only speculate if it is the same bird all these years,

Willet

… but one returns to the exact same area every year.

While photographing the Willet,

Surf Scoter

… a pair of Surf Scoter came in fairly close to the beach.

Surf Scoter

The male particularly so after one dive for mollusks on the bottom which they feed on.

Then I made my way west along the beach for the second target bird of the day,

Snow Bunting

… Snow Buntings.

Snow Bunting

These pretty little birds breed in the far north of Canada and Alaska,

Snow Bunting

… but will show up here every winter.

Snow Bunting

The last couple of winters there has been one or two birds.

Snow Bunting

Today there was 8-10 birds.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

This one I managed to get stretching its wings after preening.

Snow Bunting

Needless to say I was not the only birder/photographer enjoying these little beauties today.

Bonus bird of the afternoon,

Horned Grebe

… was this Horned Grebe that went by while shooting the Buntings.

Horned Grebe

Seeing it coming, I set up on the waterline ahead of time as it approached. A fish in the bill after diving would have been nice, but I cannot complain as it was a great afternoon along the causeway.