Monday Nov 25 2013. Blackie Spit, Crescent Beach Surrey, B.C. British Columbia.
I have to admit that I have not had the opportunity to study the difference between American and Eurasian Widgeon until today. I had seen them through bins but now I had a mixed flock in right in front of me and within camera range. The flock not only had the two aforementioned species but also a number of hybrids.
I am posting these pictures to see if anyone is actually reading this blog as there is no better way to monitor blog readership than to misidentify a species. Your feedback is appreciated if I have mislabeled any of these beautiful dabbling ducks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0nUG_-F9LxSCqVAmrfj-ceeY_32PKZtwozh-AaBf4m-13gsPlde82hIVqAYLbiXuQgfVPVD-Zfo7Z8IV1ybHcp6xZADv0D5AlgzHuFKtYFqF3cof-USflqZp5Pa8nniwsPcWVa-kKrQN/s640/American+Wideon+web+.jpg) |
Male American Wigeon (Anas americana) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-w13L7C1WwbvYunspUDjhTw5skmQpk_Xu0CxZ0aMaeWmqla_aOsHxmulgEl0IKmMBDGPhWwM4G21jEsxbCSpTsb6cztskkt5QZpHp3Tbl13uMasHl3ssLI9sfhrPi0cxqXpB-caWnSiDB/s640/Eurasian+and+American+Wideon+X+web.jpg) |
American and Eurasian hybrid.
Note: I have been told this actually an Eurasian not hybrid. I'm learning too, thanks to Mike Tabak for the identification. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMC_Q0JrtJhpJqhiVMEziP5N26I2a5vSYufK4HeVs4GcbLfQKyg2MUBCG87GWYR1j7wV8yNTq0sdOuRU20Jo4LyLr3blt0GCEdzBMYo6pMxA4DW1VAUMs0qvlzNVDhM6xisiAJtiOLdjc/s640/Eurasian+Widgeon+web+_1.jpg) |
Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope) |
After photographing the ducks on the spit I took a walk into the wooded area east of the car park. There I saw the silhouette of a bird of prey. It turned out to be a Cooper's hawk.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yIA_ZGoYj2QN4Fvl0-wAKi8daOX4VeresMkUyYiSixI0lkFYx-wABwCmifkKf4Z0uAZvY-GM-_N0bS7qVRfVjgDlTCMtPEFXJ6EYQsJAIZ-cENkoMGuRaC5QV2cN4LyuyFM_kvqGT7At/s640/Cooper's+Hawk+web-4460.jpg) |
Cooper's Hawk (Accipter cooperii) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcJJmUFdPRsHGXY8wDWYU54vuFo8NCBgRNmGQeOibtdZbCRlv8HpfUiOcPC7S_17kirwBazNfxPEGI5K4D0lVXgfifxKG3SwqW4WrCLn1dJ0FHOQ4RLMjt8tSEySa-p9qgWr5Wy8i8tZf/s640/Cooper's+Hawk+web-4464.jpg) |
The Cooper's swoops down into the undergrowth but was unsuccessful. |
It suddenly flew down from a tree, crashing into the undergrowth, the bird re-appeared sans prey and continued hunting.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M5fEhy0yiqlsPgDtkGGMh3NFBI0EvgbylNcxtxMn29mQTqg4TGoppSTfr2SyMp2FbCkqw0m1jKos9GD3HCYXPhJDHXvF_XOKFJNwGbcVQSIL94v7Nl5qdnKX-zNbx3Z1xdyRsBrYKxbY/s640/Cooper's+Hawk+web_1.jpg) |
The bird was originally perched in a tree and then went diving and hunting in dense bushes. |
I managed to grab a few perched shots and then it flew off, even with a high shutter speed the wings are blurred. The most vital part of flight shots is using at least 1/1000 or faster shutter speed to capture a sharp eye, slower speeds can create a blur which spoils the final image.
The weather was cool but sunny so I decided to take a wander to the other end of the conservation area close to the railway line. There are a number of Pacific crab apple and hawthorn trees which are still laden with berries. There I found Downy Woodpeckers, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Northern Flicker, Raven, North-western Crows, Great blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Double crested Cormorants and Purple Finches.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZWClWylBNdkjpAMrGBTBxAzTgksBXjW4xbAnUYWeyVTaCh1ggYKQMQpdSJivW-VrNFPa182f8ikuvuW56KQNZWFcrGxCSgidHGiU0t-XXZ0T4uEg3RhZnp_4xJyjvKHqST12CM6Sw-qv/s640/Purple+Finch+web.jpg) |
Purple Finch (Carpo purpureus) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhsHIXo7H1qVJV_i3f1-DTqghAGAAVghAlz0qLulyWcy0IW4FvyidAQA2i0eA57iiicbbFlLWK0tfZg7t5qOIS637kmC9xMbclQqmP0jIifc84hflfEnGQNIBeVWH7NJ1x8SC5Dsp-eWM/s640/Purple+Finch+web_1.jpg) |
A male Purple Finch gorges on Pacific crab apples at Blackie Spit.
Good birding to you all John Gordon |
John, I've no complaints about ID! All are excellent shots!
ReplyDelete