Western Wood-Pewee – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Ducks, Swan, Eagles & Songbirds

Figured I would start the afternoon off with a follow-up for the flycatchers I had seen at Reifel the other day. While I was having no luck with that,

… I did manage a photo of the first Wood Duck brood to hatch at the sanctuary. En route to my next destination, and in keeping with the nesting theme,

… it appears the Mute Swan are nesting in Canoe Pass. And the last nest for the day,

… one of the Bald Eagle nests with young in the North 40 which was my next stop. Having missed the flycatchers at Reifel, the North 40 is also a good spot for them. I just have not seen any arrive here yet. While checking the trails,

… one of the many Common Yellowthroat posed briefly on a branch for me. Then while checking on the Tree Swallow nest what should alight on an old snag?

A first of year Western Wood-Pewee for the North 40.

Of course I could not leave without trying for at least one shot of the Lazuli Bunting.

Pre Game Walk

Time permitted a Stanley Cup Final pre game walk this afternoon. Not wanting to stray too far from home, I headed out to Reifel.

Started off with this Cooper’s Hawk in the trees along the driveway.

Then some friends who were shooting this Grosbeak on the ground,

… flushed it nicely into a tree for me to capture.

Still no shortage of new arrivals,

… with this Wood Duck family basking in the sun on this log.

There has also been a Western Wood-pewee around my last few visits.

The treat of the afternoon though was a couple of other new arrivals.

These Rufous Hummingbird fledglings were in the bushes along one of the trails.

I was hoping to capture one of them getting fed by the adult female. She would come in close above them, but then back off. My proximity to the fledglings may have been spooking her. Sometimes they don’t mind when you are around, other times it may interfere with their behaviour. You have to watch for this. In situations like this, the well being of the birds comes before the picture. So it was time for me to move on.

On checking the watch, it was time to head home for the game. Go Canucks Go!

First Outing & Post For June

I started my walk this afternoon at Reifel. Western Tanager & Bullock’s Oriole had both been seen recently and were on the wish list. First pass along the east dyke trail did not turn up either of these birds.

While checking the outer ponds I did stumble upon this cooperative subject.

This Tree Swallow stretched it wings a couple of times,

… while busy preening.

Also in the outer ponds were at least a dozen Blue-winged Teal, a Cinnamon Teal and the usual Green-winged Teal.

Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal

Something flushed them and I managed this distant shot with all three species.

The marsh adjacent to the south dyke is still a good place to spot a Muskrat.

Then it was back to the east dyke trail and a final check for the target birds.

Still no sign of them,

… but the Black-headed Grosbeaks are still around.

To finish the afternoon I headed out to Boundary Bay by the airport.

I managed to get the Western Wood-pewee with its catch.

Along with another static pose while it was obliging me.

The Lazuli Bunting continue in the area, but I am still working on getting a clean shot. None the less, it was a great afternoon to be out and good start for the month.