What a Way to End the Year

Dec 31 2014 Boundary Bay 72 St Ave, Burnaby Mountain and Grant Narrows. Cold and Sunny.

Boundary Bay 72nd Ave Delta

The day began at 6.30 a.m with a hearty breakfast and quick perusal of my 2015 horoscope. By 8.00 a.m I had picked up Raymond and were on our way to Boundary Bay. The plan was to photograph a Golden Eagle, which from Raymond's prior experience was best attempted in the early morning light. Sure enough after only ten minutes a Golden Eagle soared over us and perched on a tall popular tree about 30 metres from the road.
These pictures are as near as I could get but they are the only ones I have of this juvenile. Two years ago I was lucky enough to photograph an adult bird at Sumas Prairie so it was nice to compare the two plumages.
For those wanting to drive out to Abbotsford there are two Golden Eagles at Sumas Prairie but you may have to work little harder to find them. A Golden was also reported at Elgin Park/Stewart House although it may be the same 72nd St bird.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

How lucky we were to have seen it. Suddenly it took off and was time to leave for our next location.

Vancouver Sun Story

or

http://www.eaglenova.com/rare-golden-eagle-arrives-boundary-bay/

 A bird of almost mythical status. 

Burnaby Mountain

An hour later we were on our way (car pooling) to Burnaby Mountain where a flock of Pine Grosbeaks were ignoring the hordes of photographers as they gorged on emerging cheery buds. The bird's antics drew quite the crowd both photographers and park patrons.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)

A tight crop showing off more feather detail. 

 I composed this image in the viewfinder, first locking the focus onto the bird and then moving the camera to the left so as not to cut off the tip of the cherry tree. 

Grant Narrows/Catbird Slough

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulous)

On the spur of the moment we decided to take off to Grant Narrows to search out the flocks of Bohemian Waxwings that had recently invaded the area in their search for a supply of berries and insects. On warmer days the waxwings can even be seen 'hawking' insects, however this day no waxwings could be found. A few Purple Finch clung upside down on Pacific Crabapples but it wasn't until we were on our way back home that we finally found a small flock of 13 perched in small tree. We patiently waited for them to come down to feed, eventually they did. At that precise moment a very noisy work truck passed by, scattering the flock. I managed this distant shot (above) which been cropped considerably.

I hadn't meant to go birding on the last day of the year but I am sure glad I did. I had originally planned a 'Top Ten' of my favourite birds or even a page of my 2014 lifers but time restraints only allows me this little ramble.

Anyway for all of you who have been following my journal I wish you all the very best of health and happiness for 2015 and of course....good birding!:

 "It's never too late to start birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

The Road to Catbird Slough

Dec 15 2014 Grant Narrows Sunny morning and cloudy afternoon 5c

I have to admit, I had only ever seen one Bohemian Waxwing before so when the news broke that there was a flock at Grant Narrows I decided to search them out. I was lucky, Monday morning was sunny and a cancelled appointment left me the whole day to bird.

The road to Grant Narrows.
This is the last corner before the straightaway to the car park, the location of the waxwings.

The very first subject was this juvenile Northern Shrike. I photographed it from out my car window with the shift stick digging into my ribs.

Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor)

Catbird Slough was alive with American Robins, a flock of Varied Thrush, another adult Northern Shrike and a large flock of Purple Finch. It was a spectacle, the mountains in the background made for great viewing.

Catbird Slough

Finally after driving all the way to the parking lot I found one Bohemian, alas it flew off as soon as I stopped my car.

An hour later I finally caught up with the flock and had a few minutes with them before another photographer stopped to talk and flushed them.

Here are a some of the results;

Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

 These birds spent an equal amount of time eating berries and hawking insects.

The rufous under tail coverts differentiates it from its close cousin the Cedar Waxwing.

"It's never too late to start birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

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