Bohemian Rhapsody

Dec 3 2016 Grant Narrows BC

A large flock of bohemian waxwings had been around Grant Narrows all week, the question was, would they find enough food to keep them in the area or would they have moved on before we had a chance to visit. Both Raymond and I were eager to see them.
One advantage about birding on the weekend is that there is usually a lot of birders out and the news quickly spreads when a good bird is located.
On our way we spotted the prairie falcon (another year bird) on Sharpe Rd, numerous red-tailed Hawks, a cooper's hawk, a northern shrike and two meadowlarks. The wind was blowing and the rain was beginning to spot when I rolled down the car window and photographed this meadowlark with my point and shoot superzoom the 24mm-2000mm Nikon P900.

Western Meadowlark Nikon P900

Eventually we arrive at the Grant Narrows parking lot. I walked the nature trail by the canoe rentals while Raymond checked the boat launch area. Within five minutes I could hear the waxwings chatter overhead. Looking up I watched one flock fly over, then another thirty birds, soon they were all gone. Back at the parking lot we met up with other birders. As is the norm when birders gather, the inevitable birding yarns are exchanged. We didn't have to wait long. A large flock landed on a distant cottonwood, way too high to photograph but their high pitch trill was unmistakable.
Suddenly the whole flock descended and landed on a row of bushes close to the river. I had just put my camera away but had just enough time to fire off a few shots before the flock moved on. Another year bird, the second of the day but more than that, a successful conclusion to the day. Close-by at Addington Marsh I hear the sound of shotguns, a hunting of a different kind is taking place. The rain began to get too heavy to photograph and was time to make our way across the Golden Ears Bridge and home

Bohemian Waxwings

"Its never too late to start birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

BC Canada