Post by ryjay on Jan 11, 2009 13:02:29 GMT -8
Hi everyone
Yesterday I followed Gord's great directions and made it to the Abbotsford transfer station to look for the Slaty-backed Gull.
When I first arrived I scanned the gulls on the roof of that station, but could not locate it. I waited around for a bout an hour, but still no gull.
I went to get coffee and came back. I again scanned the roof of the building, to my dismay I could not pick the gull out of the crowd. Finally I did notice a different looking Gull, he was right at the edge of the roof, facing me so I didn't notice a dark back on him. It was his dusky yellow eye that caught my attention. At first I was thinking Herring Gull, but then a little bit of its shoulder caught my eye and right away I could tell it was darker than any Gulls back I have seen before. I went to a better angle, and Yes! I had found the Slaty-backed. First lifer of the year for me! I can't digiscope on my new camera cause the lense is too big, I had to go to 2X digital zoom so the picture isn't so hot.
Thanks so much to Gord for finding the bird and giving me good directions. Now you don't have to feel so bad about not getting me that Ptarmigan ;D
After that I did a tour of the Fraser Valley but didn't find all that much. It was pouring rain all day so I did most of my birding from the car. I saw a Cooper's Hawk past Cultus Lake. I tried out Sardis Pond, but nothing much there either. Saw some Trumpeter's near Agasizz which was nice, and walked the shore around Kilby Park hoping for a Snow Bunting or something, but no luck. All and all it was a great day.
Here's a few pictures of what I managed to find.
-Ryan
lastofthecurlews.blogspot.com
Yesterday I followed Gord's great directions and made it to the Abbotsford transfer station to look for the Slaty-backed Gull.
When I first arrived I scanned the gulls on the roof of that station, but could not locate it. I waited around for a bout an hour, but still no gull.
I went to get coffee and came back. I again scanned the roof of the building, to my dismay I could not pick the gull out of the crowd. Finally I did notice a different looking Gull, he was right at the edge of the roof, facing me so I didn't notice a dark back on him. It was his dusky yellow eye that caught my attention. At first I was thinking Herring Gull, but then a little bit of its shoulder caught my eye and right away I could tell it was darker than any Gulls back I have seen before. I went to a better angle, and Yes! I had found the Slaty-backed. First lifer of the year for me! I can't digiscope on my new camera cause the lense is too big, I had to go to 2X digital zoom so the picture isn't so hot.
Thanks so much to Gord for finding the bird and giving me good directions. Now you don't have to feel so bad about not getting me that Ptarmigan ;D
After that I did a tour of the Fraser Valley but didn't find all that much. It was pouring rain all day so I did most of my birding from the car. I saw a Cooper's Hawk past Cultus Lake. I tried out Sardis Pond, but nothing much there either. Saw some Trumpeter's near Agasizz which was nice, and walked the shore around Kilby Park hoping for a Snow Bunting or something, but no luck. All and all it was a great day.
Here's a few pictures of what I managed to find.
-Ryan
lastofthecurlews.blogspot.com