BIRDQUEST2004

I heard through a friend that a hybrid Teal was being seen in the Vancouver area.  Off we went in search of this bird, thinking to myself how hard could it be.  Here in Ontario we usually see pairs of birds, sometimes 5-6.  I wasn’t prepared for the sight that greeted me when I turned the corner and saw the water.  There were probably 200-300 Green-winged Teal on the water.

It took a while but once I saw this bird, I just locked on with the binoculars and followed him for a few minutes.  Then out came the camera and I managed a few distant images.

Then not really sure why, all the teals flew up and came to the edge of the boardwalk….it didn’t take long to spot the hybrid. He was in front of me maybe 5 feet away, I took my time and waited for him to be at the angle I wanted.  Below is the resulting image and below that of a Green-winged.   Note the horizontal line of white (Eurasian) and Vertical white line (Green-winged).

Thanks again Dave was a great 4 days….Ciao for now

Last year in July a brush fire ravaged areas of the Lime Kiln Trail.  Sixty to seventy firefighters worked for a number of days to contain the fire, using portable water tanks, shovels and axes.  Almost 90 acres were affected.  Many trees in the area show the effects of this fire.

One winter visitor is making the best of the area, a Black-backed Woodpecker has taken up winter residence in the burn area.

The Black-backed Woodpecker is  is a burnt-forest specialist, feeding on the outbreaks of wood-boring beetles that feed on recently burnt trees.

From the parking lot for the Lime Kiln Trail you head west until you reach the ruins of the old kiln.  Continuing west up the hill, the ground begins to level out, keep an eye to the right of the trail.  You will see trees that have been worked on by woodpeckers, some very easy to spot even at a distance.  Stop and listen, on a quiet day you can hear the “tapping” on the trees.

This female woodpecker is very tolerant of people, does not spook easy.  Great views can be had.

I improved my image for my files, got to spent a few quiet, cold minutes, with this bird.

My best image to date of this woodpecker…….

I must be doing something right or the camera equipment is getting better…..

Ciao for now…