After the Storm/Long Eared Owls

Feb 25 2014 Boundary Bay, Delta British Columbia.  Sunny skies.

I had been looking for some new shots for a AV show I am co-presenting in March. The subject matter is 'Birding in the Lower Mainland"
I like to present photographs from all seasons and this winter has been another brilliant year for birding opportunities in the Lower Mainland. Gyrfalcons, Golden Eagles, Long and Short-eared Owls and many other species have provided new material and hours and hours of enjoyment. This was the case Tuesday evening when this Long-eared Owl put on a show for a number of us photographers and birders.
All these photographs were taken at a respectful distance from the dyke, the 'outed owl baiter' wasn't there and there were no trespassers in the field, had there been, then none of these images would have been possible. All these pictures were taken in the exact spot* where he was seen baiting owls a few weeks ago. Thankfully he hasn't been seen around too much to and ruin what is an amazing display of nature.

*What I meant was the birds were in the same spot as the "owl baiter'

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

A Northern Harrier tries to steal a vole from a Long-eared Owl. Note how the owl makes itself large with the spreading of wings and extension of tail making the bird three times the size than when seen perching.

Eventually the owl was able to shake off the Harriers and waited until dark before hunting again.

My first ever Long-eared owl in flight. They take on quite a different appearance when seen flying.

Good Birding

John Gordon

Some Snowstorm Shots Feb 24/14

A Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliac) Sooty Pacific sub species checks out my new D7100.

                              

  Feb 24/14 Boundary Bay/Blowing Snow. 

The snow kept falling all day. Like a winter wonderland Boundary Bay was transformed, it's inhabitants continuing to go about their everyday business of finding a meal. A quiet descended on the bay as all local air transport ground to a halt, no roaring take-offs or noisy coal trains in the distance. The only sounds were the patter of snow flakes beating on the our Parka hoods. Wonderful how these moments blot out the idle thought process, being in the moment with the birds is enough. I'll take that any day!

A Short-eared Owl (Asio flames) surveys the snow covered fields.

A Short-eared Owl glides through the snow storm looking for any movements that might indicate a meal.

(Happi burdus) A bit of snow didn't deter us from enjoying the day.

Golden-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla)

It would have been easy to look out the window as the snow kept falling but without the effort a golden opportunity to photograph birds in a rare Vancouver snowstorm would have been missed. I'm glad I took the time and was rewarded with these avian portraits.

Good Birding

John Gordon

Langley Field Naturalists Outing Feb 21/14

                                                                                                  Anne Gosse Photo
Looking for the the elusive Golden Eagle.

Feb 21/14 Sumas Prairie Sunny and Cold.

Although much of my birding is done alone the opportunity to go out as a group offers some great benefits. The obvious being more eyes scanning fields, trees and fences and of course, the camaraderie. Secondly there're always a few experienced birders who can help the rest of us who are still on that steep learning curve. As was the case Friday, when a group of Langley Field Naturalists and others drove through Sumas Prairie in search of the elusive Golden Eagle. Alas we could not locate the bird but did find a rare Harlen's Red-tailed Hawk. For many in the group it was their first ever sighting of this magnificent raptor. 

Anne Gosse who organized the trip is on the far left.

                                      Anne Gosse Photo
John shows Monica Pearson the difference between the
 Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk(sub species) and the more common Red-tailed Hawk.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
We saw at least six American Kestrel hunting, this one at the Great Blue Heronry in Chilliwack.

Good Birding 

 John Gordon            

 Next Field Trips Langley Field Naturalists. contact information below

Saturday, March 8

Meet time: 8:15am at Douglas Park or 9:30 at Maplewood Park

Start time: 10am

What is for Dinner? Raptors of the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats, North Vancouver

Leader:  Al Grass

Join us as we search out why are flats critical habitats for wildlife. The walk will focus on the importance of raptors such as eagles, hawks, and owls. Meet 8:15 am Douglas Cres. Langley or 9:30 at Maplewood Park. Phone 604-538-8774 for information.

Saturday, March 22, 2013

Time: 9:00 to 12:00

Aldergrove Regional Park

Leader: Bob Puls

Come join the Langley Field Naturalist to awaken your curiosity and engage your senses while exploring nature and the changing seasons in this beautiful regional park! We will check out the winter bird & water fowl activity around the ponds and look at some of this parks features.  Meeting at Aldergrove Regional Park central parking.  Phone 888-1787 or Bob 856-7534 to let us know if you are coming or to carpool from Douglas Crescent.

Photographing Common Birds

Feb19/14 George C Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Wind and Sun

I find all birds interesting, even the so called "Dirt Birds" What may be a common bird to one may be a mega rarity to another. In Vancouver we have had a number of rarities or vagrants over the past few years.
The most recent being the Red-flanked Bluetail in New Westminster. It attracted birders from all over the continent. There are countless others, the Citrine Wagtail in Courtenay, Hooded Oriole in Port McNeil, the list is quite extensive.
However those occurrences are so infrequent, much of our birding time is spent with the more common species, many of them splendid in their own way.
Here is a typical days birding in the Vancouver area at two of our most popular locations. It began with a morning at Reifel Bird Sanctuary finishing with a chilly late afternoon session at 72 ave at Boundary Bay.
I have tried to take some time to create some close-ups of common species as well as try some compositions that show the habitat as well as the bird.

Here is' a really common  garden gird, The Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). I was drawn to the repeating shapes of the picket fence leading the eye left to right and back to the bird. If it caught your attention for more than a few seconds then composition works.

How about these for common birds. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Many birders/photographers/park keepers scorn them but there is something in those eyes that drew my attention in the first place. I like this image and in the end that's all that matters.  It was a good day to practice my bird photography skills so I know how to react when that mega rarity unexpectedly arrives.

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
A very common duck in the Vancouver area. Thousands of these elegant dabbling ducks can be seen feeding in winter fields or bobbing about in Boundary Bay. I like the open mouth that gives the bird a little extra character.

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
I really had never photographed Bufflehead so I took the opportunity to find a quiet spot where the birds felt safe enough to approach me.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
As I was leaving Reifel this pair of Bald Eagles drew quite a few admirers. There are hundreds of Bald Eagles in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland at this time of year.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
If you want to see flight and close-up pictures of Short-eared Owls there are plenty in my previous blogs. The inspiration for this image came from a recent presentation by noted ornithologist John Neville, some of you may have his recordings. John is blind so he birds by ear. His presentation was illustrated by the work of Robert Bateman. What struck me about Bateman's work was how he often brakes all the rules of composition but most off all how he leaves plenty of space in his paintings for his subjects and the habitat. Often I have been guilty of cropping too tightly. I hope this image shows an owl in a natural setting.

So there you go. I saw many other species during the day including a pair of Rough-legged Hawks riding thermals, one moment they were in front of my car, the next distant specks in the sky.

Other highlights were a lone Western Meadowlark, a flock of several thousand Snow Geese, a light phase Red-tailed Hawk as well a numerous other "common" birds, too many to list here. 

No, I didn't see a rarity but I had a brilliant day out.

Good Birding

John Gordon

Birds on the Bay and Beyond Poster

Feb 16/14  Birds on the Bay Poster.

I was honoured when Jude Grass asked me to contribute a photo of a Whimbrel for the current Birds on the Bay programs.

                                                 
                                                       Birds on the Bay programs link

Some more pictures of Whimbrel migrating through Boundary Bay. The birds rest and feed around Boundary Bay and surrounding farmland, fuelling up before heading northward. Whimbrel breed in the Arctic sub-artic heath and marshland and migrate back to South America following breeding and rearing their young. 

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

I used a D300 with 500mm F4 and a 1.4 TC converter handheld to snag this flight shot. The poster picture was reversed for compositional considerations with my permission.

Good Birding

John Gordon

Langley Field Naturalists Field Trips

Hi everyone,

As you can see I have been asked to lead the Golden Eagle Quest tour, details are provided below. Sumas Prairie can be very windy and cold so bundle up and hope we are fortunate enough to see one of these magnificent raptors. Depending on the weather we could see American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk (various phases) possibly a Gyrfalcon and Rough-legged Hawk. There have also been sightings of flocks of Meadowlark and Snow Buntings.

Everyone welcome especially experienced birders, the more eyes the better! Details below.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Sumas Prairie 2012

Friday, February 21, 2014

Meet time: 8:00am Douglas Park

Start time: 9:30am

Golden Eagle Quest! Chilliwack Area & Heronry

Leader:  John Gordon

Come join John as he takes us on an exciting search to find one of the largest and most majestic birds of prey that reside in our Fraser Valley - the Golden Eagle!  We plan to look amongst the pretty pastoral farming district of Chilliwack for this large, dark brown raptor. We also plan to drop into the Chilliwack Heronry for a Ring-necked Duck search and to eat lunch. Meet at Douglas Park Rec. Centre at 8:00 for carpooling or at Old Yale Road ESSO - 34515 Old Yale Rd, Abbotsford, just off  exit no. 109 Yale Rd West, to the right. Phone 604-533-7171 or  604-888-1787 for information.

Saturday, March 8

Meet time: 8:15am at Douglas Park or 9:30 at Maplewood Park

Start time: 10am

What is for Dinner? Raptors of the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats, North Vancouver

Leader:  Al Grass

Join us as we search out why are flats critical habitats for wildlife. The walk will focus on the importance of raptors such as eagles, hawks, and owls. Meet 8:15 am Douglas Cres. Langley or 9:30 at Maplewood Park. Phone 604-538-8774 for information.

Saturday, March 22, 2013

Time: 9:00 to 12:00

Aldergrove Regional Park

Leader: Bob Puls

Come join the Langley Field Naturalist to awaken your curiosity and engage your senses while exploring nature and the changing seasons in this beautiful regional park! We will check out the winter bird & water fowl activity around the ponds and look at some of this parks features.  Meeting at Aldergrove Regional Park central parking.  Phone 888-1787 or Bob 856-7534 to let us know if you are coming or to carpool from Douglas Crescent.

                  

Tufted Duck/A Needle in a Haystack

Feb 15 2014 Iona Regional Park. Cold, overcast then torrential rain.

I was just about to sit down and watch the F.A. Cup tie between Chelsea and Man City when the news came in of a Tufted Duck at Iona Regional Park. Of course, having never seen one the game was put on PVR for later viewing and off I went.
On arrival many birders and a few photographers were mostly huddled around their cars discussing how wonderful it was to have seen the Tufted Duck. That can be ominous for the late arrivals like myself. Indeed, the bird had just flown a few minutes earlier, it would be another hour of searching before the very rare visitor from Eurasia was again spotted.
Talk about a needle in a haystack. The Tufted Duck resembles its close relative the Lesser Scaup except for a darker back and of course the long dangling tuft. Had it not been for a number of experienced birders armed with scopes I would have had difficulty locating this single bird out of the large flock of Lesser Scaup in the ponds.

Spot the Tufted Duck!

The Tufted Duck in the foreground  (Aythya fuligula)
Note the dark back  compared to the Lesser Scaup behind.

The long dangling tuft is not always visible so careful scanning of the flock is essential.






 As a group of us watched from a respectable distances as not to spook the birds our patience was rewarded when the group of birds containing the rarity drifted close and closer. We couldn't believe our luck. A few moments later and for some unknown reason a few of the birds including our quarry flew off to another pond and then a West Coast monsoon arrived driving all but the hardiest of us back to our cars and in my case, back to the football game.

The final score
Chelsea 0 Man City 2
Lesser Scaup 345 Tufted Duck 1

Good Birding (I'm going to dry off)
John Gordon