Springtime in Vancouver

March 25th 2013 Simon Fraser University/Queen Elizabeth Park/Stanley Park. Sunny and Warm.
I was looking for a pair of Rosy finch but they were not to be found. Meanwhile, the morning dew was still clinging to spiders webs as a pair of Yellow-rumped warblers picked off insects from a cedar tree.

Yellow-rumped warbler (Audubon's) Dendroica coronata

Spiders were plentiful on this cedar tree.

While photographing the warblers the unmistakable sound of Anna's hummingbirds could be heard nearby. A male perched on a magnolia bud, it was just a question of finding the best background for the shot.

Male Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna)

I then made my way to Queen Elizabeth Park to search for vagrants, a real lack of bird life was broken by the arrival of a pair of Golden-crowned kinglets. Quite a crowd of walkers and curious tourists stopped to watch the birds as they bobbed around feeding on small insects.

Male Golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula)

The day ended at Stanley Park's Third Beach where a raft of Barrow's goldeneye and Surf scoters bobbed in the waves and rode out the swells of passing boats. It was so warm people were sunbathing and playing frisbee. Gotta love birding in Vancouver!

Good birding!

Yellow-rumped warbler (the first signs of spring)

Iona Regional Park, Vancouver
Despite the sun, the wind was fierce, cold enough to still be wearing the same layers of clothing that I had worn to photograph Snowy owls in Dec !!! However, the trees and bushes were now alive with new arrivals, most notably the colorful yellow-rumped warbler, a sure sign that spring had arrived. It was a great day out with hardly anyone around.
Species noted observed.

Ring-necked, mallard and canvasback ducks, American coot, red-winged blackbird, rufous hummingbird, northwestern crow, yellow-rumped warbler, ruby-crowned and golden crowned kinglet and marsh wren. No yellow-headed blackbirds so far. A seasoned birder was on the lookout for an Osprey and another birder had seen an Anna's hummingbird and mountain bluebirds.
Here are some of the better blog shots from my walk.
For more birds please visit.
johngordonsphotography.com

Golden-crowned kinglet

Marsh wren

Rufous hummingbird (male)

Yellow-rumped warbler

Ruby-crowned kinglet