Iona South Jetty - Sept 14th

Work has kept me in a tired state this last while and i haven't been getting out as much but that's life sometimes.

This morning i was determined to get out and do some shooting, decided to give Iona a go and figured i was due for a jetty walk (i like to get at least few walks in yearly with 500mm on shoulders to test endurance) and was hoping for a beautiful morning.

Was surprised by the low cloud and grey conditions, still it wasn't raining and i was determined.

Near the base i ran into my first bird, an active Black-throated Grey warbler.

Iona is an interesting environment with the rocks, it's refreshing to shoot birds down low that you are used to seeing up high in trees. 

Later i spied a Townsend's Warbler further down the path but was only able to get a long distance grab off before it flew out of sight.

Quite a few Yellow-rumped warblers encountered.

Saw a lot of spider eating going on as well  :) 

Once i walked to the end i realized i had come across a mini fallout of sorts. 

A mixed flock of birds all looking quite exhausted hanging out by the elevated platform.

A Hermit Thrush was in this group of birds.

as well as a flycatcher i believe is a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. 

ID correction is welcome by the way  :) 

Was able to get pretty close to the kinglets as they flitted from bush to bush, low to the ground.

The walk back was rewarding as the Caspian terns were out fishing and making a racket.

In the back of my mind i was thinking to look closely at terns in flight in case a Parasitic Jaeger was mixed in.

Sure enough it happened, quickly, almost too quickly  :lol: fired off 5 shots and got two with bird in frame.

A lucky moment  :) 

All in all, a rewarding morning out  :)

Green Heron Sept 2nd

Yeh, went back at 7am to Piper Spit this monday morning since i had dipped on the Green Heron on Friday afternoon and Sunday morning as well.

3rd time was the charm, weather was spitting rain at times, with some lightning and thunder thrown in as well.

Belted kingfisher pair flying about and one landed briefly by the creek for some dark looks.

And yes, i did finally see the Green Heron, as did a couple of more photogs who stuck out the rain  :) 

:)

Burnaby Lake Aug 30th

Being put back on a 5 day work week has cramped my style lately  :lol:
I used to enjoy the Friday off since i would always head out shooting.
Since coming back from holidays it's been back to the grind, i need the money so no big deal in the big picture.

Went out to Burnaby lake after work today to check out the Pied-billed grebe family at Piper Spit but was really hoping for a glimpse of Green Heron.
No dice on the the heron but the grebes proved memorable.

Was nice to meet a couple of birders with cameras out, i encouraged them to post on the birding in BC site but for many it's a hassle and i understand.
It's cool to know that many people do come and check this forum out on a regular basis, even if they don't post.













Even got some shorebirding in off the floating dock, laying down low.