[GMcD]

A grey dull overcast morning, but some bits of brighter patches possibly showing (as I convince myself, hey might be worth a walk down to the pier this morning). The usual air show being put on by close to 40 swallows, mostly Cliff Swallows with some Barn Swallows and Violet Green swallows in the maelstrom. Then I heard a splash of a bird landing in the water and glanced over - another fun surprise - a Blue Winged Teal drake popped in for a visit. stayed fairly well out in the channel so distant shots taken. It only stayed for less than a minute, and flew off eastwards. At least we can add the Blue Winged Teal to the list:

Blue Winged Teal drake by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[Steely]

Our first Western Tanager of the Spring taken near Osoyoos. It was one of a travelling flock of maybe a dozen or so moving quickly, high in the trees and shadows... only able to get one capture. We had a similar situation happen about ten years back but conditions allowed for possibly my most memorable birding outing with the Tanagers staying lower in the trees as they fed on flying insects. I managed at least half a dozen very good captures at relatively close proximity... dreamed of having that happen again but this time the results weren't to be!


Western Tanager

[Steely]

Our first Yellow-breasted Chat taken on the 20th of May here in Oliver.


Yellow-breasted Chat

[GMcD]

In spite of the weather forecast being "unsettled" and potentially a cloudy day, the afternoon was bright and sunny, so off to Terra Nova park in Richmond to look for warblers and anything else interesting.

A few Wilson's Warblers flitting around in the shadows, one Yellow Warbler that came and went before getting focussed, but found a small flycatcher and a Warbling Vireo. I'm pretty sure it's a Hammond's Flycatcher based on the size, shortish beak and white patches behind the eye. We can add the Warbling Vireo and the Hammond's Flycatcher to the list:

Warbling Vireo by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Hammond's Flycatcher by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

Another sunny afternoon to justify another walk around Terra Nova Park in Richmond. Things were relatively quiet, but managed to find a Yellow Warbler, a Swainson's Thrush and an Olive Sided Flycatcher to add to the list. I note that the Yellow Warbler is already on the list, but I don't recall seeing any photos posted so far, I even went back through all the posts and didn't find where a Yellow Warbler had already been posted. But anyway, here's today's birds to add:

Swainson's Thrush by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Yellow Warbler by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Olive Sided Flycatcher by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[BillGyles]

I'm enjoying the wonderful additions pouring in. I have couple from the last two days: a Spotted Sandpiper from Englishman River Estuary and a female Black-headed Grosbeak from right outside my window. I'm hoping to get the male too, which is a little shy.

Spotted Sandpiper by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Black-headed Grosbeak, female by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

[stumblingpiper]

Wow, everyone! Great pictures -- nice to see those Okanagan adds, Ian. That Rock Wren has been elusive. lol.
Bill/GMcD/Pat -- awesome. Those are all great additions. I finally have a couple to contribute!
I was out hiking at Black Mountain near Kelowna and saw this Lazuli Bunting ...


I finally set up the camera on the hummingbird feeder and captured the elusive Calliope Hummingbird.


... and, again in Knox Mountain Park, the White-breasted Nuthatch to complete the Trifecta of Nuthatches! I'll try and snap a better picture some time this summer.


Enjoy!
James

[stumblingpiper]

A quick update -- we are at 161 birds! Wow. Cooking along now ... we'll see how the rest of the year progresses. Last year we were about the same in May ... we finished with 231 last year.
Here's the updated list: viewtopic.php?p=92367#p92367

Thanks for participating everyone. I'm really enjoying the updates and the photos.
James

[Steely]

Managed to find a male Bobolink near Osoyoos.


Bobolink

[Steely]

Here is a rarity to add to the list! I had an opportunity to see the Blue Grosbeak that was visiting Peachland recently. Took a few hours in the heat to get a capture but it was well worth it and I met a few great friendly birders during the process!


Blue Grosbeak

[Smithers]

I know that we have a male yellow warbler and a male Bullocks Oriole, but I would like to contribute the corresponding females:

_H3A5816-Yellow Warbler Female by Patrick Covello, on Flickr

_H3A5490-Bullocks Oriole Female by Patrick Covello, on Flickr

Pat

[GMcD]

Great updates on the Bobolink and Blue Grosbeak, fun. I have a couple updates to the list - had a couple days out in the Gulf Islands doing some visiting and the Active Pass area was good for getting shots of the Pigeon Guillemots.

Plus, back home this morning and as I was hanging out on the London's Landing pier, I saw an odd bird fly low across the channel to Shady Island out of the corner of my eye. Got the optics on it - cool, a Ring Necked Pheasant perched on a driftwood tree stump across the channel. A distant, heavily cropped shot, but clear enough for positive identification.

Pigeon Guillemot by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Ring Necked Pheasant by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[Smithers]

_H3A6379-Green Heron by Patrick Covello, on Flickr

A unfortunately shy Green Heron in Vancouver.

Pat

[stumblingpiper]

Wow, Ian! Congrats on the Blue Grosbeak--you have more patience than me. lol. Thanks for grabbing that Bobolink, too. We won't have to use my fuzzy shot. Pat -- thanks for adding the females! In that vein, I present a Black-headed Grosbeak (Male). I was at Hardy Falls Regional Park near Peachland. Very productive today!

Sorry for this fuzzy shot...


Happy to add a couple of "Westerns." Western Wood-Pewee and a Western Flycatcher (this one on a nest!)



Happy to add this Veery as well ... wasn't sure I'd get him/her this year.


Now for a nice Warbler (Nashville-style!)

I saw this one at both Hardy Falls, and here with this next photo, Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park ...

Also at Skaha Bluffs was this Least Flycatcher.


Back to Hardy Falls, I enjoyed this Steller's Jay near the entrance.


Was surprised to hear and then photograph this Red-eyed Vireo. He was hanging out around the Warbling Vireos ...


And, as promised, I was able to get a better picture of the White-Breasted Nuthatch.


FInally, for your viewing pleasure, the California Quail chicks have been hanging out in the yard.


Whew ... I think that's enough. haha. Enjoy!
James

[stumblingpiper]

Wow, everyone! Great contributions -- GMcD ... that Pheasant ... haha. Quite a long-shot.
We've pushed up to 175 birds so far. Awesome. I will go through the photos this month and make sure I haven't missed any birds ... Thanks for continuing to participate. I'm enjoying ALL the shots. Here's the update list: viewtopic.php?p=92375#p92375