Snowy Owl Photography

Posted by Douglas Brown , Saturday, December 3, 2011 11:03 PM

Although there is concern within the thoughts of birders, and bird photographers, these snowy owls are quite alright with respectful photographers.
Using a decent tele-photo or zoom will result in great shots, without disturbances.
Also getting the shots and getting out is the best option.
At some point in time they need to feed, and the more people who "get that" the better off all will get along.
The birds came to a place where there are many people who use the dike for walks and they are accustomed to seeing people.They like busy airports, and even hang out at the golf course where golfers walk by constantly during the day.

Snowy Owl
More on the return of snowy owls to the area. Apparently about 30 of them


Snowy Owl

Short Eared Owl & Harrier

Posted by Douglas Brown , Sunday, November 20, 2011 12:22 PM

Short Eared Owl & Harrier
Fighting over a vole in mid air...Note the vole in the left side of owl claw.


Short Eared Owl & Harrier

Snowy Owls

Posted by Douglas Brown , Thursday, November 17, 2011 6:32 PM

Snowy Owl

The snowy owls return after a 4 year absence.

Snowy Owl

Merlin

Posted by Douglas Brown , Wednesday, November 16, 2011 9:43 PM

A rare opportunity for a Merlin to be so accommodating.
Taken at Iona in Richmond.
DJB_8681

Raptors in Flight

Posted by Douglas Brown , Saturday, October 22, 2011 10:56 PM

Meadow Larks are here.

Posted by Douglas Brown , Friday, October 14, 2011 11:01 PM

They've been around for awhile, but this is the first of the season for me.
Meadowlark

Meadowlark

Common Loon

Posted by Douglas Brown , Wednesday, October 5, 2011 11:49 PM



DJ9_0297
As a last resort I decided to head out to Tswassen, and see what the shores had, and my surprise was a high tide with loons and some grebes.

Yellowleg

Posted by Douglas Brown , Tuesday, August 23, 2011 10:59 PM

Yellowlegs

At first these few yellow legs at the pond in Elgin Park seemed a bit timid and flew to the other side, but as I lay down in the grass with camera on the ground, they eventually wandered over to my side, and at times were even too close for the lens. Not even the shutter noise bothered them.

Yellowlegs

Yellow Headed Blackbird

Posted by Douglas Brown , Sunday, May 15, 2011 2:14 AM

Yellow Headed Blackbird

Finally some of the birds are back and hanging around the marsh at Iona.
It's hard to miss them from the distinct cat like call they make..or something like a baby crying.
Yellow Headed Blackbird (female)

Back to the osprey nest

Posted by Douglas Brown , Tuesday, May 10, 2011 10:15 PM

When I first posted the images of the couple together, I went back and for two weeks there was not a bird to be found on this nest, so I almost gave up hope, and thought they had moved somewhere else.
Upon checking again over the last week now it seems they just decided this was the place to be.

Osprey at Nest


Osprey at Nest

Osprey at Nest





My belief is there is already eggs in the nest, because the female sits there mostly on guard
until the male brings her a fish, then she goes into a nearby tree and eats it.
 Perhaps they keep mating for reassurance.
This is something I have not researched on thier behaviour. I guess I should find out more.

Pileated Woodpecker

Posted by Douglas Brown 10:06 PM

Out in the Crescent Park area, I heard the ratatat of this pileated.
It's rare for me to get such a close and unobstructed view of one, so this was  a good find.
 A good chunk of the tree has been eaten away so it must be popular.
Pileated Woodpecker

It seems I always hear one while being there, but never get to actually see them.
Pileated Woodpecker

Osprey are Back!!

Posted by Douglas Brown , Saturday, April 23, 2011 1:19 AM

After a year of absence, the nest was rebuilt and the osprey are using it again. My guess and from talking to a fellow photographer is that the birds were unsuccsessful in having young last year.

Today I checked the nest and it was full of action. Yippee!
Osprey at Nest
Another of the pair rebuilding the nest.
I'm going to be checking it on a regular basis and adding more to this post.
DJB_0683

More Short Eared Owls

Posted by Douglas Brown , Sunday, February 20, 2011 12:56 AM

Short Eared Owl
Along the dike at Boundary Bay, the short eared owls seem to be quite forgiving to photographers the last few weeks.
When a nice day comes by, they sit on stumps and make for some interesting photos.
I could stand there most of the day just capturing expressions and poses even though it is windy and cold.
If the sun is out that is what counts.

Short Eared Owl

Posted by Douglas Brown , Monday, February 7, 2011 11:37 PM

Short Earred Owl

A not too bad weather day at Boundary Bay down at 72nd.
I happened to spot this way out, and as I got closer and closer it stayed put and was giving quite a show of movements.