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Bird and Nature PhotographyBritish Columbia, Canada |
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| Photo Blog 2009-12-31 I managed to get out a few times leading up to Christmas, unfortunately
it was pretty grey and gloomy most days. Even with the dreary conditions
photo opportunities may still come up.
... or catching a glimpse of this Beaver.
There was a cooperative Cooper’s Hawk, but I was stuck shooting up into the overcast skies.
These same conditions impacted capturing this Bale Eagle pair interacting in the tree tops.
While wishing for a little more light, it was still fun to watch. One raptor that obliged me by being lower down was this Red-tailed Hawk that landed on a fence.
Under slightly better conditions was this Peregrine Falcon, ...
... and this Cedar Waxwing.
Christmas morning was relatively clear and cold. So after turkey duty I figured I might be able to get out for a short walk at Reifel. As luck would have it the clouds came back once the bird was in the oven. It was still cold enough to catch this Great Blue Heron on the thin ice.
It was fairly quiet birding and photo wise, but more people than I expected. This Downy Woodpecker was busy in the trees alongside the trails.
The shot of Christmas Day happened on my way home through the back farm roads. I came across a Short-eared Owl atop a utility pole. I sat back watched, waited and it eventually flew down and perched on a fence post.
Happy with this shot, it was time to continue on home and check on the turkey. With winter come the visiting raptors. One on my list to try and get better photos of is the Gyrfalcon. There have been a couple around the Boundary Bay area, but no luck so far. I did manage this shot of a Rough-legged Hawk.
And when leaving Boundary Bay late one afternoon this shot of the ever present Northern Harrier.
Happy Holidays to everyone. | Home | 2009-12-13 The Pileated Woodpecker is still around at Reifel and was cooperative today providing some photo opportunities.
It was foraging fairly low on the tree trunks and would stop briefly to preen and stretch.
These brief stops and poses were appreciated as there was not much light. | Home | 2009-12-07 While common in the interior of British Columbia another winter visitor to the Lowermainland is the Evening Grosbeak. There has been one at Reifel for a few days busy feeding on the abundant Pacific Crab Apple. Unfortunately it has been frequenting an area usually in the shade and horribly backlit.
A little perseverance paid off with the Grosbeak making an occasional visit into the light over a few days.
Because it was there and I love the feet on these Coots.
Initially I was not going to photograph this Eagle in the tree, but noticed from its behaviour it was probably going to take off.
I got this shot as it lifted off from the tree top. | Home | 2009-12-03 One winter visitor that I always look forward to is the Northern Saw-whet Owl. It is also one of those birds that will drive you crazy trying to get a decent photo. Being one of the smallest owls makes them tough to find when they are roosting during the day. They will usually be tucked away deep inside a tree or bush which more often than not, is unfavourable for photos. While I will usually have one with me, I prefer not to use a flash. So it becomes a matter of spending the time out there and hoping you happen to be in the right place at the right time. On such moment happened today with one of these little owls.
This Northern Saw-whet Owl was roosting low in a Cedar tree and in plain view.
While the light was a little harsh on the left side, I was not about to pass up one of these rare opportunities. | Home | 2009-12-01 After a few inquiries wondering where I had gotten to, I figured it was time to get going with the blog again. Had a couple of other things on the go for a while that kept me busy. While I was still getting out occasionally and posting new pictures to the Recent Photos section of the web site, there has been no Photo Blog entry for a couple months. While often seen moving through the tree tops in flocks, I came across some Bushtits that were lower amongst the brambles. Lower is better sometimes when it comes to trying to get a photograph. In this case it provides a more pleasing background.
Being lower also helps in keeping up with these busy little birds who seldom sit still while foraging for insects. Some ducks are already showing courting behaviour and starting to pair up for the spring. This male Hooded Merganser was strutting his stuff and calling out to female roosting on a nearby log.
One infrequent visitor to Reifel that has been around for a few months now is this Pileated Woodpecker.
| Home | Previous Photo Blogs | 2010-01
| 2010-02 | |
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© Jim Martin |
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