Birding in BC Community

There was a birder who believed anything they were told about Westerns, Glaucous-winged, Short billed, Herrings, etc. He was indeed very Gull-ible. And that is a perfect segue to the following shots.

DSC_3951 by Randy Varga, on Flickr
Ring Billed Gull

DSC_2360 (2) by Randy Varga, on Flickr
Short Billed (what my old Audubon fieldguide calls Mew) Gull

DSC_5126 (2) by Randy Varga, on Flickr

Western Gulls I believe, but open to correction. Hard to see, but the eye is pink/red.
Given how muddy and wet their feet are getting, wondering if Gull-ashes would make their lives more comfortable? Just a thought.

Great additions! I think most of the gulls with that appearance (around here) are Western/Glaucous-winged hybrids, and pure Western are quite rare.

I went out to Iona this morning to see what I could find.

There were a couple of Horned Larks:


There's that Spotted Sandpiper:


And distant but existent, a Snowy Plover!

Once again, thought we had the Osprey already posted, but dont see it on the list, so here it is, with a bit of a story line. Osprey receives unwelcome visitor.

DSC_6901 by Randy Varga, on Flickr

Unwelcome visitor divebombs from above. (see top of picture)

DSC_6903 by Randy Varga, on Flickr

Finally, Osprey scares off unwelcome visitor with a great display.

DSC_6908 by Randy Varga, on Flickr

On Tab 6 Pat posted a great picture of an Orange Crowned Warbler. My post below doesn't add to the count, but hope it adds a little fun to our exercise. Lucky for me it felt a need to have a bath and wash its crown, revealing all in orange splendor. (sorry about the lack of focus, but was dealing with low light, and lack of skill.)

DSC_4928 by Randy Varga, on Flickr

DSC_4954 by Randy Varga, on Flickr

DSC_5254 (2) by Randy Varga, on Flickr

Western Sandpipers

DSC_7389 (2) by Randy Varga, on Flickr

Cinnamon Teal: Male and Female

Olive-sided Flycatcher


Black-throated Gray Warbler

The pictures that have been added recently have been outstanding! And you guys crack me up with your silly puns .
We already have the Western Tanager Male, so here's the female.

Western Tanager (Female) by Jewill on Flickr

And I just can't resist - here's the 2 of them together, obviously bickering about who's the prettier one.

Western Tanager (Male & Female) by Jewill on Flickr

I posted the male Brown-headed Cowbird a while back. Still unable to get them together though.

Brown-headed Cowbird (Female) by Jewill on Flickr

Love that shot of the Tanager "couple." Its priceless. Doesn't every relationship have days like that!

Nice photos, Randy! That's nice work ... Judy ... love the "couple." Here's one for you ... Your Brown-headed Cowbirds (they've been hanging around the yard) ...


I also captured the male and female Rufous Hummingbirds ... (not in same pic unfortunately). Will try to get a better shot of the male!


I think this female bonked her head and hung out on the patio for a while!
Eventually she was up and going!

169A1712-Harlequin Duck Male Female by Patrick Covello, on Flickr

Male and Female Harlequin Ducks too far off Ambleside Beach.

Pat

We now have the set of Black-headed Grosbeaks. Now to just get them together in the same shot (go for it James).

Black-headed Grosbeak (Female) by Jewill on Flickr

PS: I haven't seen the tanagers in a few days now (sounds like a family name of some neighbours - "Oh yeah, the tanagers, they live down the street" ). I'm sad if they have moved on but also very happy that they decided to stay as long as they did and give me so many wonderful photo ops.