We didn't find many different species to photograph this month but some of what we did find presented some exceptional opportunities.
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| Harrison Hotsprings lagoon had a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers at the beginning of the month. The front one is brighter and slightly smaller than the other. This indicates it is a bird hatched this year. The adult is paler. |
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| On Oct. 12 Dian and I discovered an American Bittern at Wilband Ponds here in Abbotsford. |
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| Usually secretive, this bird was very obliging as we observed it fishing while we stood on a bridge. |
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| In over 20 years of birding we have never had an opportunity like this. |
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| A mink made a sudden appearance which prompted a defensive pose. Unfortunately I couldn't get both in the shot. |
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| The Bittern was reluctant to leave because the fishing was very productive. |
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| Heerman's Gulls are not common here. There were a few at Point Roberts. |
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| Heerman's breed in the Gulf Of California and a few make their way up the west coast. |
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| An American Dipper provided some entertainment at Harrison Lake. |
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| The Dipper moults its feathers all at once, like a duck. This makes it flightless for a short period. |
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| Green Herons are commonly seen at Wilband. They can apparently swim quite well due to a partially webbed pair of toes. |
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| Here is a close-up of a Green Heron's toes showing the little bit of webbing. Makes one wonder if the toes were completely webbed at some time during their evolution. |
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| Pied-billed Grebes are common at Wilband. Grebes eat large quantities of their own feathers. This acts as a sieve to prevent potentially damaging prey parts from entering the intestines and damaging them. The resulting pellet is then regurgitated. |
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| We know Owls are seen regularly at the Great Blue Heron Reserve in Chilliwack, but this is the first time we have seen one there. |
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| This is a Barred Owl. |
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| Barred owls are not a favourite of birders as they are believed to be responsible for the decline of other Owl species. |
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| The Barred Owl is originally a bird of the east but during the 20th century, has spread into the west. |
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| This a picture taken from the bridge where I photographed the Bittern at Wilband. |
End of this blog. Scroll down for previous blog.
