Some Bird Pics

[johnv]

I really enjoy looking at everyone's bird pictures, that I thought it only fair to share some of mine from a few outings in the past while. I don't have internet at home, so some of these pictures are a month old!

Cheam Wetlands

Yellowthroat



Eastern Kingbird



Island 22

Belted Kingfisher
(I've seen two here several times. Where they are mining on the right side of the road when you first turn off of young, climb the muddy mound and look at the shores by the water)



Western Tanager



Hammond's Flycatcher



Cedar Waxwing



At my Aunt's house near the Vedder River
Swainson's Thrush I think



For the Canada Day long weekend I went up to Whistler and on Monday we hiked Elfin Lakes. The grade isn't steep and it's a beautiful spot for birding, lots of alpine meadows that are gorgeous! On the road up, we came across a Blue Grouse Hen with 2 chicks. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a picture of the chicks together or the Hen with the chicks.





Hermit Thrush



A scenic pic of the hike in the snow (just wait till the snow melts and all the meadows burst into bloom, a definite summer hike!)



I also saw a red-breasted sapsucker, but wasn't able to get a pic

A few weeks ago I hiked Eaton Lake. There was a lonely duck swimming, but the eye in this picture is amazing. Also saw an american dipper at the river flowing out of the lake.



Yesterday I hiked Bear Mountain in Harrison. Tons of birds everywhere and a beautiful hike that has easy access. It's long, 20km, but most of the bird activity was near the beginning. I saw a pair of western tanager, barred owls, chesnut backed chickadee, warbling vireo, junco's, and a larger wren that was too quick too ID.

View on the way up


A nice mix of coniferous and deciduous trees. I'm sure there were warblers aplenty, but I'm new at this and wasn't able to spot any.



Bear Lake


Barred Owl: They seemed quite active considering they are nocturnal. I saw them flying from tree to tree on the way up, and then on the way down about 5 hours later.







One last item!
About 2 months ago, I was birding near Vancouver Airport...and I spotted this strange guy. I looked at Sibley's and it looks to me like a Black Hawk...but considering the range map that's impossible. Any suggestions???



Alright...I'm done for now....I'll try to post on a more regular basis!

I lied, 1 more picture of the wildflowers at the top of Bear Mtn...they were incredible!!!

[Gord]

John, a lot of really nice photos there! One day I need to talk to you about local hikes. I couldnt think of a better person to ask!

I really like that Barrow's Goldeneye photo. Nicely done. I also have waited a long time for a Western Tanager to sit that nicely for me! Those young Barred Owls are pretty cute. Im not sure if we have Barred Owl on the July list.

I wonder if those Belted Kingfishers have a burrow somewhere around there! Good find and worth keeping an eye on.

Finally, that hawk. That's quite a sight. Probably just a very dark Red-tailed Hawk in it's first year. The long, bare legs and big feet rules out a very dark dark phased Rough-legged Hawk. Myself, I have never seen a Red-tail that dark, but they do occur. Do you have any other photos or from a different angle? I dont think it's a rare southern hawk. Not that it's impossible by any means (would be very substantial though) but I cant see anything that suggests otherwise although, myself, if someone told me that it was a Zone-tailed Hawk I would look at my bird guide and not be able to argue it! The wings and lack of white in the tail are things I dont see to mention Black-hawk. Interesting bird! Good work spotting it and getting a photo.

Sure look forward to seeing more reports and photos from your trips abroad.

[Wetlander]

Hey John, where did you start the Bear Mtn. hike?