A Wander to Metro Van March 15
Mar 16, 2021 21:44:04 GMT -8
oldfulica, imperialbirders, and 7 more like this
Post by Gord on Mar 16, 2021 21:44:04 GMT -8
We needed to go to Vancouver yesterday. We made excellent time on the way in that we stopped at Burnaby Lake for a quick peek. Last time we visited a Bobcat pounced on a duck within feet of the people who were feeding them! No Bobcat today but it was very birdy with ducks everywhere and also no shortage of Red-winged Blackbirds. The Mandarin Duck was also still there cuddling with a female Wood Duck. There was quite the fan club of people looking at him. 
021_4147 by Gord G, on Flickr
Lots of photographic opportunities here.
021_4116 by Gord G, on Flickr
021_4121 by Gord G, on Flickr
021_4156 by Gord G, on Flickr
021_4163 by Gord G, on Flickr
On the way home we decided to go back via 0 Avenue. There's been a Yellow-billed Loon around the Blackie Spit area and since it's also a fun place to visit for the family, we decided to pop by there. Raymond said it hasn't been seen for awhile but he was heading out to Elgin Park to check and would keep us posted.
Lots of birds here. Three Marbled Godwits were a nice surprise and a lifer for Jamie. We learned later there had been 10 seen there at one point. Thousands of Dunlin were around and at one point we had a really cool experience when a large flock flew up and, fighting the fairly strong winds, flew over and even beside us at very close range! We also came across two Snow Buntings.
021_4174 by Gord G, on Flickr
021_4218 by Gord G, on Flickr
We enjoyed our visit and left for home. The plan was to stop and say hi to Raymond but I missed the turn so we continued on planning to do so via phone in a few minutes. He beat us to it phoning to say the loon had just showed up! We were not far away so we turned around and got to see the loon. Thanks! It's been a couple years since I've gotten a lifer. Figured I'd get one some day out on Harrison Lake or something.
A distant photo
021_4221 by Gord G, on Flickr
There was a large flock of Golden-crowned Sparrows that were a bit more photogenic.
021_4229 by Gord G, on Flickr
A fun little trip!
021_4147 by Gord G, on FlickrLots of photographic opportunities here.
021_4116 by Gord G, on Flickr021_4121 by Gord G, on Flickr021_4156 by Gord G, on Flickr021_4163 by Gord G, on FlickrOn the way home we decided to go back via 0 Avenue. There's been a Yellow-billed Loon around the Blackie Spit area and since it's also a fun place to visit for the family, we decided to pop by there. Raymond said it hasn't been seen for awhile but he was heading out to Elgin Park to check and would keep us posted.
Lots of birds here. Three Marbled Godwits were a nice surprise and a lifer for Jamie. We learned later there had been 10 seen there at one point. Thousands of Dunlin were around and at one point we had a really cool experience when a large flock flew up and, fighting the fairly strong winds, flew over and even beside us at very close range! We also came across two Snow Buntings.
021_4174 by Gord G, on Flickr021_4218 by Gord G, on FlickrWe enjoyed our visit and left for home. The plan was to stop and say hi to Raymond but I missed the turn so we continued on planning to do so via phone in a few minutes. He beat us to it phoning to say the loon had just showed up! We were not far away so we turned around and got to see the loon. Thanks! It's been a couple years since I've gotten a lifer. Figured I'd get one some day out on Harrison Lake or something.
A distant photo
021_4221 by Gord G, on FlickrThere was a large flock of Golden-crowned Sparrows that were a bit more photogenic.
021_4229 by Gord G, on FlickrA fun little trip!
