Since my friend and birding partner, Robbie, had moved to Alberta, my desire to get outside and look for birds all but dried up. It wasn't until I received a direct message [on Twitter] from a friend in Victoria, British Columbia, did I start to consider going out again. Long story short, I'm glad I did.
After a brief and fruitful stop along Boundary Bay, to see the Snowy Owls [we saw 12 in all], we continued on to Westham Island and the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Not only did I want to see my favorite winter migrants, like the Lesser Scaup, The American Wigeon and the American Coot, but I also wanted to look in on the Sandhill Crane Colt, which was hatched earlier in the year. As fate would have it, the little family of 3 were there, along with a few migrant Sandhill Cranes. When we arrived, the cranes were surrounded by photographers with extraordinarily long lenses. Funny thing was, my son [who's 10] reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of seed. Unfortunately, the bag was empty but that didn't stop the 3 resident Sandhill Cranes from coming over and investigating the bag. My son was terrified, at first, but I assured him that even if they pecked him, it wouldn't hurt. They pecked him...twice. Let's just say...I was wrong. :) Anyway, I managed to get a few good shots in...at my son's expense.
Here's the colt...
Pappa...
..and a preening mamma!
The Northern Pintails had arrived, in all their glory...
...along with the American Wigeons
We watched as a Great Blue Heron hunted for fry near the water's edge, a first for both my son and I...
The Snow Geese had also arrived, from Russia. They were kept on their toes by the many raptors thirsting after them - Northern Harriers, Red Tailed Hawks, among others...
There were handsome Fox Sparrows...Spotted Towees, Northern Flickers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Downy Woodpeckers too.
...and, in keeping with a Dengler/Wakelin tradition, we hand fed my spark bird...the Black-capped Chickadee.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end [for the day, anyway]. For now, I leave you with a sexy pair of American Coot feet. Until next time, my friends...
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