owls it going eh?

Sorry for the terrible choice of word play in title (people have no problem guessing i'm a canuck whenever we travel though)

Friday i decided to put a full day into shooting and checked out various spots around B Bay, picked off some bald eagles around 104th,



and later checked out the S-Eared owl corral at 72nd, briefly chatted with a fellow photog (who left before the action began) and then had an owl proceed to fly towards my standing position 5 minutes later, sweet.
The other guy who had been camped out on the far-side started moving in fast and i told him "don't flush my bird man", he wasn't listening but it didn't matter this time, bird hardly noticed.
The looks were pretty much the same as last time i was there and shot a few angles and then left.









Later at Reifel i scored looks at a pair of great Horned owls, only one was visible for a shot and it was pretty much looking straight up at it.





and then i finally got some shots of Northern Saw-whet owls i can call my own.
I have of course seen then numerous times over the years but to date, the only pics were taken by my wife waay back when.
So here is my obligatory Reifel Saw-whet, taken with tripod at ground level and yes, with my 500mm lens pointing up (i'm stubborn that way)



On the way back home i checked out Maplewood with the intention of working a Belted kingfisher if possible (not possible this time) and since it had been a long day already with a fair bit of driving i was ready to head back to the car, at the car i met another photog i recognize packing up his gear and i asked him how the shooting was, he then asked if i got the Saw-whet owl and i was like "huh?!"
I found some reserves of energy and walked off again down the path and finally spotted another photog with lens pointed at tree, bingo.

A bit of a wait and some catching up with yet another photog i know and eventually the little bundle of feathers turned it's head briefly, securing the shot i wanted and i knew the day was done, just after 4pm

Red-flanked Bluetail - Jan18th

I heard about this mega-rarity last Sunday and was sore-pressed to beg time off work to twitch it, i needed the hours however and decided that i would gamble and wait until Friday, my day off work, i didn't want to rush over after work during the week and get maybe 40 minutes of light before the sun set, it wasn't worth the hassle (however had the bird flown before i got to see it i'd be a bit gutted i must admit LOL)

The morning started off rough, it took over a 1/2 hour in bumper-to-bumper commuter traffic just to make the Second Narrows bridge from my home, a trip that usually takes little more than 5 minutes on a good day (and they want to build more condos in North Van?).
I was patient however and chanted meditative mantra's under my breath, well, not really, but i did listen to some slamming tunes that got me eventually to New Westminster.
I have a vague recollection of visiting Queen's Park from my childhood, maybe 12 years old, maybe 10, can't remember but i did know that i was back once more.
I didn't even have to drive all the way in as i spotted the dark shapes with scopes and tripods in the shadows and parked on the side of the road, right next to the action.
A quick sip of the dark coffee in my travel mug and i was off, into the dark woods and the gathering of like-minded souls within, all hoping for a glimpse of the elusive yet tantalizing Asian species that goes by the apt name Red-flanked Bluetail.

A first record ever for Canada!

There is no excuse for not seeing this if you live in the lower mainland, i knew birders were already migrating up from the US trying to find New Westminster on their maps.

It was originally classified as a thrush but i see it now listed as an old-world flycatcher in the latest edition of NatGeo Birds of NA.
This makes sense as it behaved very much like the flycatchers i have seen in Thailand.
There was a good-sized gathering of the birding tribe present of which i include photogs, since so many of us also like to document our sightings.
I've noticed some damned good birders pick up a camera lately so the lines are beginning to blur i think between birders and bird photographers, one day we will all be united as one, or not LOL.

In the 5 hours i spent on site the weather fluctuated between mild and downright cold, i was thankful for the lukewarm coffee i retrieved later in the morning as it added a jolt to the body and mind.

When i first arrived the bird was present, it wasn't long before i had squeezed off 4 or 5 shots, when i checked the images afterwards quickly i was shocked to see nothing but black images, what the f..., what was this cruel joke? the camera and lens were working fine the day before, i took the teleconverter off and again, black images, i was stumped and could do nothing more that extricate myself from the bird and action to figure out what was wrong.
When i realized the camera setting was on M and not A like i prefer everything was fine again and i rejoined the fray.

 The bird never stuck around long, perhaps it was the crowd around it pushing it on or more likely a set routine or circuit that it performed around the park, i caught up with it when it came around.
If i was to do it again i would have cranked my ISO up past 800 for sure, i hate to do that with the D300 but i saw some shots by others that were quite stunning, granted they were using pro bodies with mega-high ISO's.
All i really wanted was some record shots better than the White-winged Crossbill shots i got at Burnaby lake recently, i think i succeeded in that regard at least LOL.

Red-flanked Bluetail

Met a lot of birders and photogs, some i see every time i go out and some for the first time as well. 

Meeting Flickr contacts in person is always cool and i met a long-time contact finally, it's an honor when someone shakes your hand and tells you they love your work and read your stuff etc., i don't know what to say actually but it does inspire me.

Brambling - Jan 11th

Had a hectic weekend planned, something to do with laying down a laminate floor in the master bedroom, in fact, i was to meet my buddy just after noon on a sunny beautiful Friday to begin the job, before that however a visit to Nikon Richmond (which was a good thing for a change), a quick scan of Queen Elizabeth park for the elusive Pine Grosbeaks, of which none were seen, no worries, it was off to West 17th ave in Vancouver (close to my old stomping grounds in my single years) and a back alley and a backyard feeder where a very rare Eurasian species by the name of Brambling was paying a visit, for just how long?
Who knows, i had a pretty good idea however that it was still around and the small group of birders i met confirmed that yup, it had just been seen 15 minutes ago, ace.
It was a bit of a wait however as i would find out so i entertained myself with the other local birds paying the feeders a visit.

Pine Siskin

House Finch

As well, i couldn't help but notice the half naked man looking out at the birders from a neighboring house at one point, i made sure my lens wasn't pointed in his direction LOL.

Finally, very close to the time i had to wrap things up to meet my buddy the splendid bird popped into view, the bright light was near noon and harsh shadows were in play but just getting a few shots off from a couple of angles before it flew off high into some distant trees was enough to make me raise my arms in victory afterwards and let out a big whoohoo.

 

Brambling

In all, i waited 1 1/2 hours for the bird to pop up but it was worth it, this bird doesn't show up every year - my field guide (NatGeo natch) says that it's "casual in fall and winter in Canada and northern US".

A Lifer for me regardless.

Top 3 Shots of 2012

Here are my top 3 shots of  2012, it was the toughest year for me so far i think, being without my lens for a combined total of 4 months in the last 12 put a dent in my totals, that and personal, financial, heck even health related reasons and in my mind sometimes it seems like a complete write-off but of course, when i look back there were those moments that stick out.



Magnolia Warbler - Prince George
from what still seems like a disaster of a spring road trip up north to Fort St John, one of the bright spots was a warbler i saw in Ohio last year but never got good looks at.
A stunner i think, warblers get me excited what can i say?





Belted Kingfisher - North Vancouver
I knew that a kingfisher or two frequented one of my local haunts and always figured that if i staked the spot out the potential was there for an intimate look.
One day it all worked out and i was rewarded after an hour plus wait.





Great Grey Owl - Kamloops
Yeh, this was one of my big target birds this year, i've dipped on it a number of years in a row now but finally, it all came together towards the end of our Spring holiday and i think it's a unique rainy look at this king of the forest

Happy New Year to You All and i hope you all have an awesome year in 2013 birding and shooting, cheers!

The Early Bird part 2

Another Friday and another early morning to beat the rush hour traffic out of North Van to Boundary Bay.
I had half a heart to spend some time twitching the Sage Thrasher at 64th but first i would have to wait in my car for the morning to properly arrive as it was still pretty dark.
When i finally couldn't wait anymore i headed out, i decided to walk up to 72nd, i wasn't after snowy owls this time, but rather their short-eared cousins.
Like every bird photographer, i knew where the hot spots were and hoped to get some nice perched portrait shots if possible.

No sage thrasher's presented themselves but i had to smile when i saw this bird on that particular sign, still not quite light enough but i took the shot anyways.





wasn't long before i started seeing these guys off in the distance

I walked on and finally arrived at the spot i had had luck at before and sure enough, there was some action.



After a while i finally got my big break and had an owl land on a post right where i was standing, being the only one out there with it, i felt a sense of calm and took aim.



Super happy with that shot i soon felt the presence of others coming, the owl was still perched and one fella was able to walk by discreetly to view it as well, cool.
What wasn't cool was the other fella that followed, he saw me set up off to the side on the dike and he saw the owl and then he purposely (yes, i truly believe he did) walked in front of my lens and the bird, which then flushed and flew off.
Needless to say i was choked, it's happened to me before of course and it's usually a jogger or dog walker, i cut them some slack but when the guy has a little point and shoot camera and looks like he too has come for the owls i have to say something, "hey buddy, not cool walking in front of a photographer and bird, you walk behind them, geez"
to which he replied "hey guy, it's all digital now anyways, what does it matter?"
"well you flushed the bird for one thing you @#$%! "
The other guy there, perhaps sensing the situation escalating into something ugly soon stepped in and first told him that "he's right you know, you shouldn't have done that" and second came up to me and diffused my temper with a friendly chat, he worked at OWL and was just out for a walk, cheers bud!
When i walked away i took the idiot guys picture, i half thought of shaming him publicly but left it at that, i believe in bird karma and he surely won't be getting any good shots for ages, i hope

anyways - rant over - i headed over to Reifel to wrap up the morning, as always, i'm on the look out for common redpolls and thought it was worth a shot.

First off i spent some time with the night-herons, dear old friends.



Later i came across a small flock of evening grosbeaks by the tower, last time i came to Refiel i got Pine Grosbeak, this time it was the Evening variety (actually, this year i cleaned up as far as grosbeaks go, and all in BC as well - Black-headed, Rose-breasted, Pine and of course Evening).



Bonus bird for me was this Peregrine falcon



I often see shots of harriers in flight and i love them as much as anyone but i get a bigger rush when i get one perched, they always seem in flight



All in all a good morning

Pine Grosbeak

My friday morning was spent at Reifel, i got there super early and was the first person out.
The rain was intermittent throughout the morning but died down from heavy rain just as i was allowed in at 8:30am, rain cover on camera and lens just in case though.
I had no idea i would next run into a nemesis bird called Pine Grosbeak but that's just what happened, i heard a strange call i had never heard before and saw a solitary bird in a tree with berries, my heart told me it was my desired Pine Grosbeak and a look through the viewfinder confirmed it, Lifer of the Day!
Not a great look but i'll take it for now.
I assume this was one of the 2 birds reported earlier (monday) in a detailed Reifel account by a birder.



Later at Maplewood in North Vancouver i came across a Varied Thrush in the afternoon sun, got off a few shots i'm happy with.



On Saturday morning i headed to Whytecliff park in West Vancouver looking for Harlequin ducks (didn't find any there), found lots of divers in the parking lot and a couple of Black Oystercatchers, couldn't resist taking a few shots of them



Later at an undisclosed location i was set up low on a beach waiting to get some birds in close when all of a sudden 3 large dogs rush onto the beach flushing all the birds i had been patiently waiting for, after what seemed like an annoyingly long wait the owner came into view looking dumb.
When i verbally scolded the person for disobeying the posted No Dogs! West Vancouver Bylaw sign out front the person told me that "oh, well, i just live right here and always bring my dogs out in the morning", the owner went on to say that "just so you know, we are fighting that bylaw blah blah blah"

could have had some nice shots to post had it not all happened but, oh well..

Woody Woodpecker on Wood

The light was a bit bright on the beach for shooting sunday morning at maplewood but it was really nice to be out regardless.

Was surprised however to get a Pileated on a log, again (just like in April of 2010 on same log!), 2010 shots were sweet, 2012 version not as, but a privilege to witness the bird working a log from end to end anyways

Citrine Wagtail

Audy and i woke up early Saturday morning and headed out on the first ferry to Nanaimo, ultimate destination Comox and the Citrine Wagtail, a far out of town vagrant from asia that has chosen a farmer's field and mud puddle as it's extended stop-over destination.

When i first heard of this sighting i wasn't that excited, thinking i already had this species in Thailand, turns out i don't.
Grey and Yellow wagtails yes and White even (seen but not photo'd) but no Citrine.
I've missed a few big birds this last while like last December when the Ross's Gull showed up just below the Okanagan in Washington state (lens was being fixed, for the first time) so really wanted a shot at this one.

Citrine Wagtail is a bird one might expect to find in Thailand in the winter but it's not a "common" bird, i don't think.
I have a Thai language field guide that gives it a 2 binocular symbol rating while Grey and Yellow rate 3.
The lower the number, the rarer, or something like that.

So, coffee programed to peculate the night before, we woke up at 4:30am, leaving just after 5am and arriving at Horseshoe bay terminal with plenty of time to spare.
I imagined that all the cars were going to Comox to see the bird, the cafeteria no doubt would be full of birders and the captain would come on the PA at some point to announce that the Wagtail had been seen that morning.
None of that of course happened, there might have been a few birders on board but our paths never crossed.

I made good time driving and we arrived at the location at around 9:30am, i had heard that mornings were more reliable sighting-wise and this was a good time to arrive.

Wagtail Congregation

I set up my camera and looked for familiar faces among the crowd, perhaps these were all island birders, i didn't recognize anyone.

I heard there was a guy from California in the crowd (embarrassingly enough, i later spaced out and misheard him being referred to as "Mike Toochin" and went up to him and asked if he was Mike when the real Mike was standing right next to him! - i've even met the real Mike a few times before in the field, never had a real conversation, but i should have known the californian wasn't Mike, it was a little funny because he turned to me and said coldly "No, i'm something something (i never did get his name) from California..." oops.

The Wagtail was not in view when we arrived as a shrike had just tangled with it, everyone had their scopes up in a tree looking at the shrike and i was like "uh, anyone seen the wagtail lately?"
Shrikes are cool and all but..

I took note of the arrival of Ilya, a lower mainland birder of renown, i was reassured since his scope looking would surely turn it up soon. He didn't recognize me but all eyes were on the muddy farmers field anyways.

I felt a bit foolish having left my bins (binoculars) in the car as i could have used them (and i've been scolded in the past for saying that i don't typically wear them when out shooting as all good birders should), ironic then that it was first Audy mentioning that she saw with her bare eyes a bird land in a different way than the other sparse birds out at the grass line and then my scanning through big lens that turned it up again.

Chalk one up for the photogs i guess LOL

"I've Got It!"

Where's Waldo?

The bird was so far out at the end of the field that it was pretty much just a blob of pixels, even with my 500mm f4 + 1.4x teleconverter on.

Here's where the story gets interesting, when we  first arrived we noticed a couple of hunters dressed in camo walking back to their pickup truck from the dirt laneway we were on, separating two fields (both for sale).

Later i saw more hunters coming back from being out in the fields, ducks around one's hips like a belt. 

I'm not even sure if it was a hunter or birder (or both perhaps) but at one point a fellow came up to the group and announced that he had just gotten off the phone with the owner of the field and said that since the bird was so far off in the distance at the moment for this day only, the owner would let those that wanted to get a closer look (i wasn't the only photog there, and every birder with scope had a camera by their side as well it seemed) do just that.
please just stay on the high ground and stay out of any muddy areas or puddles of water.

I was pleasantly surprised as i wasn't expecting to get anything other than distant barely ID'able record shots of this bird.

Some local birders there were hesitant and spoke to the fellow to get more info (and see if this was all just being made-up i suspect), the name of the landowner was asked and i guess the answer was the right one, the fellow assured us that he did in fact know the owner quite well and permission had been granted this time only.

At that point half the group that was standing started to walk out to get a closer look, and Audy and I followed them. 

The bird had a largish puddle of water between it and us so the plan was to ease up on the bird slowly, bit by bit.

In the end, we never really got close enough to get much better than this last cropped shot, still, so much better than if the "Where's Waldo" shot was all i had to go back home with, right?

The bird eventually got spooked by a Merlin i believe and headed out of view.

When we were heading out in our car i thought i spotted the bird on the other side of the field by the road and would later read that it had indeed been located there later in the afternoon.

For us, a quick jet back down island and we were on the 12:30pm ferry back home.
yep, that's how we roll, bing bang boom, getter done and all that.

She looks good, i however look like crap.