Westham Island Birding

Jan 7 2015 Westham Island/Alaksen/Reifel Overcast and Foggy 5c

Finally I had a chance to get out of the house. Monday it rained cats and dogs. Tuesday I had to attend court over a copyright infringement case. The judge threw out our argument which basically means anyone can use anyones pictures or copy without credit or payment and without asking permission. The culprits from Langley know it would cost too much to go to the Supreme Court and plead a case. Make sure you enter your copyright information in your camera and in ©Photoshop or ©Lightroom. For those image thieves out there, shame on you, you are only cheating yourself!

On Wednesday following my dental appointment I made my way to Westham Island in Delta for some soothing birding.
I walked the Alaksen National Wildlife Area where it was quite peaceful in the fog, the only it interruption was a lone jogger. She may have saved the life of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet below when she spooked a Sharp-shinned Hawk that was eyeing the mixed flock of Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets I was photographing at the time.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) reacts to a Sharp-shinned Hawk. 
The interesting hues in the background of this picture are from the forest foliage. 

It was very dark and gloomy especially under the trees where the kinglets were feeding so I had to use 1600 ISO on my D7100. Guess who left their flash at home! There is a lack of sharpness, muted colours and some noise but I had no other option. I prefer to have a least a record shot rather than nothing. This isn't National Geographic, just a fun project!

The light wasn't getting any better so I searched out a food source for the birds where there was at least a decent amount light. First up was a Hermit Thrush, one of my favourite songsters. The last time I saw them was on a walk in Manning Park where their beautiful song could be heard from the tallest tree tops.

Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)

I was happy with the thrush image so I made my way to Reifel to see if I could locate the Harris's Sparrow for my *year list.. no luck!

*57 BC species so far in 2015. I've never kept a list so I may be an interesting project.


Next up was this Golden-crowned Kinglet, it was amongst a flock of Black-capped Chickadees flitting from tree to tree. Because there was no one else around I was able to have the flock surround me with their antics.

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)

Just before the duck ponds I came across a one of my favourites the Fox Sparrow. This one, the Sooty (Pacific) race, one of four sub species found in North America. Sibley's has a very good explanation and illustrations showing the four races.

Reifel was quite busy despite the gloomy weather. The ponds were full of activity, mainly ducks beginning pair off for the spring. 

Adult Gadwal (Anas strepera)

I don't often see Gadwals so I took tho opportunity to photograph a male for my photo library. I tried to shoot a low an angle as possible to give a more realistic perspective.

Ring-necked Duck ( Aythya collaris)

Why isn't this called a Ring-billed Duck. I am sure there is a logical reason but it is sometimes hard to see the neck pattern except in breeding season.

Tomorrow I plan to go up to Burnaby Mountain to finesse my take on the Pine Grosbeaks. My last stab at it included trying for clean backgrounds in my compositions but in doing so I almost completely ignored the female birds. 

"It's never too late to start birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

2014 A Good Year for Lifers

Jan 3 2015 

1. My first lifer of 2014 actually came from a May 2013 visit to Okanagan where I photographed a Cassin's Vireo. It sat undiscovered until January 2014 in a desktop"mystery bird" folder. I finally sent the picture to Mile Tabak who confirmed the ID.

2. Jan 14/14 Prairie Falcon at Brunswick Point, Delta BC. Originally found by Nick Balachanoff aka 'NickintheGarden'

Prairie Falcon

3. Feb 6/14 Gyrfalcon New Brighton Park Vancouver.

Gyrfalcon

4. Feb 10/14 Great Gray Owl Tynehead Regional Park, Surrey BC

Great Gray Owl

5. Feb 11/14   Townsend's Solitaire Richmond BC.

6. Feb 15/14 Tufted Duck Iona Regional Park/Sewage Lagoon.

Tufted Duck (foreground)

7. Mar 14/14 Sharp-shinned Hawk in my garden.

8. April15/14-May 6/14 73 UK Lifers from the Forest of Dean, Newport Wetlands and Gibralter Point, Lincolnshire.

Skylark Gibralter Point Lincs

Goldfinch Slimbridge UK

9. May 15/14 Williamson's Sapsucker and Cassin's Finch Princeton BC.

Williamson's Sapsucker

10. May21 Brewer's Sparrow, Chukar Keremos BC.

11. May18-22  Black Swift, Common Nighthawk, Gray Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Ruffed Grouse. Caribou BC.

12. Aug 30/14 Ruff Reifel.

13. Ash-throated Flycatcher. Another Nick Balachanoff  aka 'NickintheGarden' find.

14. Oct 6/14 Northern Pygmy Owl Cypress Mountain north Vancouver. Nick Balachanoff aka 'NickintheGardener' yet again.

Northern Pygmy Owl

15. Nov 5/14 White-tailed Wagtail Brunswick Point Delta BC.

16/14 Nov 15/14 Acorn Woodpecker Victoria BC.

Acorn Woodpecker

17. Dec 18 Surfbird Blackie Spit/Farmer's Slough.

So there it is 21 BC and Canada lifers and 73 lifers from the UK visit.

Wishing you all great birding in 2015.

"It's never too late to start birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

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