Rock Sandpiper #634 and Surfbird #635

Posted on January 28, 2013 by birdquest2004

Some trips no matter how hard you try, you can see the bird but getting a photo is tough.

I was between Sechelt, BC and Wilson’s Creek, BC a lovely area on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.  We had arranged to meet Alexis, Marci and Kai in this area at 10:30am but the ferry had mechanical problems and we arrived and hour late.  We were taken to all the local spots and had some good birds, Surf and Black Scoters, Scaup, Buffleheads, Common and Barrow Goldeneye, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Wilson Snipe…the list goes on and on.

It didn’t rain all day and the temp was 10C, a great day for birding but as we neared low tide the sky got darker and more ominus.  Sure enough at 3:30pm the skies opened up and the rain started.   We went back to the shoal which was just starting to show, tide was going down,  the birds arrived right on time.  We got great views through the scope so I tried to sneak out twice, for photo’s but the rain was just to heavy.  I tried a very high ISO but no dice…..I will just have to go back.  At least I have two more birds for my life list.

I really want to thank Lexi (Alexis), who arranged her day to help us find these birds.   Also Marcia and Kai for there eyes and ears.  If you ever get to Ottawa, I hope I can return the favour.

The photos below are the best I could get, given the conditions:

Rock Sandpiper Non-breeding

RockSandpiperNonBreeding

Surfbird

Surfbird

After my trip to Alaska, where I managed to see many Rock Sandpipers in breeding plumage.  I improved on my Rock Sandpiper image.

RockSandpiper

 

Ciao for now……

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2013 – Great Gray Owl

Posted on January 28, 2013 by birdquest2004

I just got back from Vancouver, and thought it was time to go see the 3 Great Gray Owls that have been frequenting an area on the Rockcliffe Parkway at Green’s Creek, in East Ottawa.   They were discoved there a month ago and have since been calling it home.  I figured the crowds would be down and it would be quiet.  Boy, was I wrong.

I didn’t bother looking for the Owls, I just looked for the scopes, binoculars and cameras, of which there were aplenty.  Dressed for the cold I sat down an waited,  soon one by one they all had looks at the Great Gray Owls and away thay went, now I could get a few photos.

After taking a few images, 2 guys came up in snowshoes from the woods, no cameras or binoculars…just a backpack.  Well I tell you I was in for the time of my life, they were two locals who’d heard about the owls and had gone out and bought 5 mice for the owls.  He had called the Ministry of Natural Resources to ask if it was ok to give them food.  They said go for it.  Thanks Bob

Well by the time the owls had their fill, so had my camera card….

While I did feel sorry for the mice, I am guilty, I admit….I couldn’t resist the temptation of  photographing Owl’s in flight.
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GGOwl1B

Ciao for now….

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