Post by Gord on Sept 8, 2008 23:07:15 GMT -8
Was out to see about fixing a wet lens 
but had a loaner from a generous and trusting friend to use.
Stopped in at 104th for a little birding. For fun, I checked down the ditch right at the gate before walking up to the dyke. I was happy to see four not so Solitary Sandpipers in there!! I got a shot at one.
Along the dyke there were a good sized flock of American Pipits flying around. I also heard a Horned Lark fly over. A few American Goldfinches were feeding on the weeds.
In the fields there were lots of Canada Geese. They would get up in big flocks to go out and land on the mudflats. Probably going to rest after a morning of feeding. A white goose among them caught my eye. An albino or a farm goose that learned to fly?
Lots of shorebirds flying around. I managed long distance shots of the flocks.
Sanderling
Black-bellied Plover.
I came across two Dunlin. I have never seen them this far from the edge of the water before nor to sit so well. Turns out one had only one leg.
I assume they might have been a pair and the mate was keeping it company. The injured one seemed to get around ok and showed healthy actions such as preening and rousing his/her feathers.
I caught up with the big flock of plovers, Sanderling and dowitchers. Among them were two Red Knots, a Marbled Godwit and a Golden-plover that I was pretty sure was an American Golden-plover.
Cover your eyes, here come some ugly digiscoping photos. It is painfully apparent that I need to repair my set up!
Marbled Godwit
Red Knot (behind the dowitcher, to the right of the Black-bellied Plover)
The Golden-plover. You can see the sharp contrast between 'eyebrow' and the darker cap. The smaller size, golden wash and etc made it stick out against the others.
Right as I was coming down to a conclusion on this guy, they all jumped up in a panic. I thought perhaps another low flying airplane to blame, but no, a Peregrine Falcon was after them. They flew in a big flock changing direction as one bird. Quite a sight.
After a couple tries and even separating a dowitcher for a brief chase it gave up and flew right past me.
Found a Western Sandpiper almost in full winter plumage among a bunch of juveniles napping in a pile of seaweed.
A Least Sandpiper, also well into winter plumage.
On my way back, I heard some sandpiper calls. It sounded close but I could not see even after climbing on the riprap of the dyke for a better look. Then I spotted them. Four Baird's Sandpiper feeding in the weeks right at the edge of the dyke. Ive learned it's best to let them come to you, if they want, so I found a rock to sit on and waited. Sure enough, they came right by!!
When right in front of me, they made an alarm call and huddled into the ground with their heads stretched out.
I could see them checking the sky. I looked up to see this guy going past.
After a few minutes, they resumed feeding. This is easily the best views Ive had of this species.
I waited until they moved away before I got up to leave to not risk spooking them. Further along, an American Kestrel was sitting out on the bay.
I headed home very pleased with the outing!
but had a loaner from a generous and trusting friend to use.Stopped in at 104th for a little birding. For fun, I checked down the ditch right at the gate before walking up to the dyke. I was happy to see four not so Solitary Sandpipers in there!! I got a shot at one.
Along the dyke there were a good sized flock of American Pipits flying around. I also heard a Horned Lark fly over. A few American Goldfinches were feeding on the weeds.
In the fields there were lots of Canada Geese. They would get up in big flocks to go out and land on the mudflats. Probably going to rest after a morning of feeding. A white goose among them caught my eye. An albino or a farm goose that learned to fly?
Lots of shorebirds flying around. I managed long distance shots of the flocks.
Sanderling
Black-bellied Plover.
I came across two Dunlin. I have never seen them this far from the edge of the water before nor to sit so well. Turns out one had only one leg.
I assume they might have been a pair and the mate was keeping it company. The injured one seemed to get around ok and showed healthy actions such as preening and rousing his/her feathers. I caught up with the big flock of plovers, Sanderling and dowitchers. Among them were two Red Knots, a Marbled Godwit and a Golden-plover that I was pretty sure was an American Golden-plover.
Cover your eyes, here come some ugly digiscoping photos. It is painfully apparent that I need to repair my set up!
Marbled Godwit
Red Knot (behind the dowitcher, to the right of the Black-bellied Plover)
The Golden-plover. You can see the sharp contrast between 'eyebrow' and the darker cap. The smaller size, golden wash and etc made it stick out against the others.
Right as I was coming down to a conclusion on this guy, they all jumped up in a panic. I thought perhaps another low flying airplane to blame, but no, a Peregrine Falcon was after them. They flew in a big flock changing direction as one bird. Quite a sight.
After a couple tries and even separating a dowitcher for a brief chase it gave up and flew right past me.
Found a Western Sandpiper almost in full winter plumage among a bunch of juveniles napping in a pile of seaweed.
A Least Sandpiper, also well into winter plumage.
On my way back, I heard some sandpiper calls. It sounded close but I could not see even after climbing on the riprap of the dyke for a better look. Then I spotted them. Four Baird's Sandpiper feeding in the weeks right at the edge of the dyke. Ive learned it's best to let them come to you, if they want, so I found a rock to sit on and waited. Sure enough, they came right by!!
When right in front of me, they made an alarm call and huddled into the ground with their heads stretched out.
I could see them checking the sky. I looked up to see this guy going past.
After a few minutes, they resumed feeding. This is easily the best views Ive had of this species.
I waited until they moved away before I got up to leave to not risk spooking them. Further along, an American Kestrel was sitting out on the bay.
I headed home very pleased with the outing!