Shots of November and December 2013

The past few weeks have given me opportunities to photograph some of the more common birds in our area of Abbotsford.  These will have to do until the spring migrants return.

Dian and I came across this Golden-crowned Kinglet while doing the Christmas bird count. 

Black-capped Chickadee in the morning sun.

A Dark-eyed Junco with some aberrant markings.  Note the white tail.

This Junco looks like it just came through a snow storm.  At least its' tail is the right colour.  Same species as the bird above.

Outside our townhouse.  A Downy Woodpecker.

A Hairy Woodpecker at the Great Blue Heron Reserve.

An immature Golden-crowned Sparrow

The morning sun helped to highlight this Lincoln's Sparrow.

A Ruby-cowned Kinglet.

A young Cooper's Hawk prepares to launch off a tree.

A successful launch.

A White-throated Sparrow.  Hasn't quite got all its' adult markings yet.

This is what an adult White-throated Sparrow looks like.

Add your own caption for this Mountain Bluebird.  Mine is "HOT HOT HOT".  It has a piece of grass stuck in its' flank.

Mountain Bluebird in nicer setting.  Blueberry fields form the backdrop.

Northern Shoveler.  Looks quite majestic, don't you think?

Pied-billed Grebe.  I was on the bridge at Great Blue Heron Reserve in Chilliwack and it swam below me.

I was watching this Belted Kingfisher when it flew into a tree beside me.  Too bad the branches obscured part of the view.  It is usually difficult to get close to these birds so I was surprised  when it flew to me instead of the opposite direction.

This is a typical Fox Sparrow for the west coast.  It is dark and called a "Sooty".

We also get a red variation which is more common towards the east.

                                              End of this blog.

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Dec 9 2013-First Day of Snow and First Pictures of a Bobcat

There was a report of a Snowy Owl at the Great Blue Heron Reserve in Chilliwack today.  An unusual location for this species but I thought I would check it out anyway as we were having our first day of snow for the year and it is always nice to walk on the fresh carpet.  Just as I was leaving the area I checked at the gift shop and the lady there asked if I had seen the Bobcat.  She told me it was present 15 minutes ago.  I went to look for the tracks and met some people who had seen  and photographed it.  We then saw it cross a pond on the ice.  I went to where I thought it might emerge and the following photos were the result.

One last look before it disappears.
There was no sign of the Snowy Owl but this was better.

End of blog.
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Some Of my Best For Month. Oct-Nov. 2013

This blog will feature some of my shots taken in last 2 months.  Just an eclectic assortment.

The sun seems to shine right through the gorget of this male Anna's Hummingbird.

The female Anna's has a golden sheen when the light strikes it at the right angle.

An Black-necked Stilt visited the Whiterock Beach Oct 10 2013.

Coming in for a landing was this blue Great Blue Heron.

This photo was quite sharp so I include it.

A Great Horned Owl was at Island 22.  Compare the "ears" with the Long-eared Owl below.

Long-eared Owl fluffing up in our cold spell.

Same bird.

Pied-billed Grebe

After some discussion with others it was decided that this was a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk.  A Harlans  was ruled out .

Rufous-sided Towhee

Pink Salmon (Humpback) female

Sanderling at Point Roberts

Black Turnstone at Point Roberts

Savannah Sparrow Harrison

Song Sparrow

Wilson's Snipes Wilband.  In the "old days" hunters would shoot snipes which are very erratic flyers.   If you could hit one you would be considered a good shot.  And that is how modern "snipers" got their designation.

Finally a male Pink Salmon

End of this blog.
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River Otter Encounter Nov. 27 2013 Abbotsford BC

I have a pond I visit regularly and sometimes I get rewarded with River Otters.  I haven't seen them for about a year so I was pleasantly surprised to find them today while the sun was shining.  The following pictures are the best of 135 pictures I captured over a 2 hour period as I sat partially concealed on the pond's edge; getting cramps as I tried not to move.

They can hear the camera shutter but can't figure out where I am which is about 3 meters away.

For more otter photos see my website;  http://lenjellicoe.zenfolio.com/p733144743
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