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Bird and Nature PhotographyBritish Columbia, Canada |
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| Photo Blog 2009-08-29 Not knowing how long the bird would be around, or when I might see one again, I headed out to Reifel again for the Hudsonian Godwit. There were lots of people showing up to see this uncommon visitor.
The Godwit was foraging close to the outside trail again only 15 metres away at times. This is what makes this particular sighting special. When they have been seen before in areas like Boundary Bay they would most likely be a few hundred metres away.
I also wanted to get another shot of the Godwit displaying its wings. While I managed a couple of shots the other afternoon, I was hoping to try and improve on those. This requires some patience and constantly following the bird with the camera. While it may display sometimes while preening where you could set up in anticipation, other times it will happen out of the blue and be over just as quickly.
A little luck never hurts either. | Home | 2009-08-28 I headed out to Reifel this afternoon planning to check the inner trails again for some song birds I was watching and trying to photograph the other day. On checking in at the entrance I was told a Hudsonian Godwit had been seen in the outer ponds. This perked my interest not having seen one before and the fact they are a fairly rare visitor to this area. On checking the outer ponds there was no sign of any Godwits. So I started watching some of the other shore birds around and photographed this Killdeer while waiting.
Then out of the corner of my eye I noticed something fly in and land out in the centre of the pond. Training the camera on the new arrival I could see it was a Godwit. As it was quite some distance away I put the 2x teleconverter on the lens and moved towards a better position along the trail. While I was moving the Godwit also moved in closer.
Once it was closer I could see it was a Hudsonian Godwit.
Actually it was now too close for the 2x teleconverter when it decided to display its wings.
As you can see the wing tips got cut off, but it was fine when the bird was wading and foraging for food.
So I made a quick change back to the 1.4x teleconverter and hoped it would display like that again. The Godwit was not shy at all foraging in the pond close to the trail and amongst the other shorebirds.
Time was running out as the sanctuary would be closing soon. I was still following the Hudsonian Godwit with my camera when some Mallards flew in and landed startling it.
It was another nice display of the distinct markings for this Godwit. With that it was time to head for the parking lot a happy camper with a life list addition and some half decent photos of this rare visitor. | Home | 2009-08-20 Had a little time to get out for a walk this afternoon, so thought I would try Reifel again for the Green Herons. While I struck out with them, I did come across something else I had not seen before.
It was a juvenile Sandhill Crane ...
... and it was there with the adults. The resident pair at the Sanctuary was unsuccessful at nesting this year, but Sandhill Cranes do nest in other areas nearby such as Burns Bog.
On speaking with someone else, the three Cranes were seen flying in earlier in the day. They were cooperative and approachable which provided some good photo opportunities.
I just had to be patient to get some shots of the juvenile alone. After leaving Reifel a couple of things caught my attention on Westham Island and resulted in a slight detour. The way things used to be ...
... and these.
After that I took the scenic route home and stopped by the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway. Not much happening there except for the Willet which will stay here over the winter.
You cannot mistake this large sandpiper with the bold black and white pattern on the wings as seen here when it was stretching.
They will forage for insects and small crustaceans along the shoreline. While set up low along the beach watching the Willet, this Ring-billed Gull floated on by.
After that it was time to go home. | Home | 2009-08-18 Today’s plan was to hook up with Mike Yip, who came over from Vancouver Island, after I had run an errand I was committed to in the morning. I was going to show him the Osprey and the Common Nighthawk. He was going to check a couple of places including Reifel while I was busy. For those who do not know Mike, he is a fellow birder/photographer. His web site is Vancouver Island Birds and he has also authored a couple of books by the same name. When we finally connected he suggested coming out to Reifel instead of meeting at my place as he was watching a Green Heron. This sounded good to me as it has been awhile since I have seen or photographed one. They were being seen recently at Reifel, just not by me. As luck would have it though, the bird got flushed as I was setting up. It flew to the outside edge of the pond where we located it again. Unfortunately the light was really harsh in this location.
It was still fun though to watch it fish and occasionally try to play tough guy with ducks.
I think Mike faired better with the Green Heron prior to my arrival. Then it was off to see the Osprey. When we arrived one fledgling was eating in the nest. The other was located further down on the log booms again.
The one from nest finished eating and flew around briefly and then landed on another set of pilings. Here it seemed to be watching the hornet buzzing around beside it.
While the other one did not budge from the logs, it did provide some nice close views and photo opportunities.
Then we headed out to check on the Common Nighthawk. Unfortunately we could not locate it and I was aware it had been moving around. Given the area, it could have been tucked away out of sight somewhere as it is still a little too early for it to have fledged. I felt sorry for Mike in this regard, but I think he still had a good day at Reifel and the Osprey. I certainly enjoyed our afternoon together and the opportunity to chat again. | Home | 2009-08-17 On arriving to check the Osprey this afternoon I feared the worst. At first glance there was only one fledgling in the nest with the female. It was eating and moving a fish around in the nest.
Some other observers informed me the other fledgling was easting a fish further down the trail.
The other fledgling was right below the furthest location I would normally watch the nest from.
It was eating a fish on the log booms along the river’s edge. So the fledglings are now active away from the nest, but still relying on the adults to bring food.
The fledglings would leave the nest, fly around and roost in nearby trees.
They would also return and rest at the nest.
Here the second fledgling lands at the nest while the other looks on.
It will not be long now before they are gone. | Home | 2009-08-10 It was a fun afternoon watching the Osprey nest yesterday. They are almost full grown as can be seen here with the adult female behind the two chicks.
Primary feathers appear to be well developed from this shot of a chick moving around in the nest.
There was a strange Osprey flying around the nest again today and this photo shows the chicks reacting to its presence.
Here is the male arriving with a fish.
At this point I noticed a change in behaviour. One chick took the fish from the male.
This chick then mantles the fish keeping it to itself as the male leaves.
The chicks are now feeding themselves and there is no sharing at this dinner table. Here you can see the other chick (left) trying to get some of the fish without success.
Finally the other chick does manage to get some.
Mom to the rescue as she then arrives with another fish.
The other chick promptly takes and mantles this fish.
Each chick appeared content for the moment having its own fish while the female looked on.
| Home | 2009-08-08 While checking on the Common Nighthawk regularly I had not seen the chick again until 2008-08-06. It was napping tucked in front of the female.
Today the chick, now six days old, was out on its own behind the female’s tail.
Hard to see with the naked eye ...
... but this crop gives you a closer look at the chick. The male usually shows up just after sunset to assist with feeding and relieve the female. I have started a photo series on the Common Nighthawk here. | Home | 2009-08-05 While not much on the birding front to report, the rising full moon did provide a photo opportunity on my way back to the car tonight.
The colour was quite spectacular as it caught the final rays of the setting sun. | Home | 2009-08-03 While walking out to check on the Common Nighthawk this afternoon I happened across a juvenile Purple Martin perched in a tree watching the other swallows hawking for insects.
It did not seem to be in a hurry to leave its roost and was content to stretch and watch the goings on.
On arriving at the nesting Common Nighthawk there initially did not appear to be any change.
I was prepared to sit back and watch for awhile. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. About fifteen minutes after arriving I noticed the female's behaviour was different, she was moving. Usually she would be quite motionless while incubating. Then there was some movement around her tail.
I could see the newborn hatchling poking its head out from underneath.
While I cannot be certain when it hatched, you can see from this crop the chick is still moist and its eyes closed.
About 25 minutes later the chick was peeking out the other side and yawning.
You can see from these photos how it is dryer and fluffier.
What a wonderful opportunity it was to be able to watch and photograph this new arrival. | Home | 2009-08-01 Today it was time to check on the Osprey nest again. It is amazing how quickly the two remaining chicks continue to grow.
Primary feathers are developing nicely and the chicks are exercising their wings more often.
They are just over six weeks old now and will fledge around eight to ten weeks. After watching the Osprey for awhile I thought I would check again on the nesting Common Nighthawk. There was no change there with the female still incubating the egg.
While walking out to check the Nighthawk I heard and got some brief glimpses of a Spotted Sandpiper with juveniles. I decided to check them out on my way back. On locating them again the adult bird flew off to some pilings in the river and I could see one juvenile disappearing into the grass to my right. I had the tripod collapsed and was down on my knees watching the other juvenile to my left still foraging and hoping it would work its way towards me. Much to the adults chagrin I’m sure, it did.
It continued to forage amongst the grass on the river’s edge right in front of me. You can see an invertebrate of some sort in its bill in this photo.
While I suspect it must have heard the camera, it continued back and forth looking for food ...
... and wading through the water.
Definitely the bonus shots of the day! My best photos of a Spotted Sandpiper yet and they are of a juvenile. Now at some point I am going to have to try and get some comparable shots of an adult. | Home | Previous Photo Blogs | 2010-07
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© Jim Martin |
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