Back at Point Bob

Here's the final post from out West. After a few weeks on the road, it was good to finally relax on the beach, kayak and paddleboard in the ocean, play games, bike around the point and catch up with West Coast friends and family. The birds around there start to feel familiar too: there are always a few herons in the tide pools, the kingfisher hunting at dinnertime and hanging out at the breakwater, an eagle eating up fish leftovers on the beach, hummingbirds at the top of the hill.

This year was finally my year to see the orcas! A mom and her baby. The curse is over!

Remember this pic? Oops. It's actually from the Point. Somehow it got mixed in with pics from way earlier in the trip. It's a rufous :)

These birds are a little less familiar--I can't recall seeing them on the Point before and I almost missed them, they blended in so well with the seaweed. Of course we didn't take the camera and so this meant kayaking back to get it! Black Oystercatchers.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm anything but a morning person. I was sleeping soundly while Matt was out snaping pics of this eagle in front of the cabin who'd found something good on the beach, in that quiet time before the beachwalkers and dogs emerge and take over the sandbars.

Oh hai.

got something good here.

what?

goh!

going for a walk

thirsty bird

who's the fairest bird of them all?

I am, of course. what were you going to say?

I've got swagger, after all.

not to be confused with a sandpiper

Get me from my good side.

YOLO

hey paparazzi. have you had enough yet?

see ya! I've got take-out.

where do all the birds go at night? (#137-139)

Well, I'm going to start this off on a bit of a downer note, but stick with me because I promise it gets better. When I was in Kingston last weekend I did see a few kingfishers, but I have always had a hard time photographing these birds: they don't tend to sit still. I pulled over because I saw a loon that looked different than normal (hoping it was a red-throated, but I think it was either a juvenile common or common still in its winter feathers) and saw this beside the road. It made me very sad, but this is for sure the first kingfisher that has ever stayed still for me :(

Ok, so now for today and for happier things. Matt was so thoughtful to throw the camera in the car picking me up this morning, so why not a stop at Fletcher? I wanted to head there because my dragonboat practices are nearby. I had my first of the season yesterday, and I could hardly pay attention to the coach because there were so many birds around. Seriously, I couldn't concentrate. Anyways, so I head back there today (only in much more pain this time around). Immediately there was a guy heading to his car with some serious photogear. He gave us the scoop and I couldn't help but get excited. Plus, the weather was gorgeous, and I don't think I could have been more happy. So, we started off around the little marshy pond, and there were lots and lots of swallows swooping around. Not after long, I saw what I thought almost looked like a crow in a tree. It was backlit, but something kept me looking more carefully...and thank goodness I did......A GREEN HERON! Ok, well, those who follow my blog may recall that this bird was on my "birds I'm dying to see list," and I happily removed it today. However, I'm quite sure I will be adding it to a new list: "birds I am dying to see again." This is one of those totally satisfying lifers: it's a moment when you can't believe your good fortune and you can't believe how wonderful the bird in front of you is. I was surprised by its size, and the fact that I saw it in a tree, and that it then went into a pine tree--I always imagined it in a marsh!!!  Anyways, I just love this bird....maybe one of my favourites. Its colouring is just stunning.

#137: Green Heron; Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa; May 7, 2011

It was fairly quiet in the woody part of Fletcher. I've got to say that everything is looking so great in GREEN! The part of the garden along the canal was just gorgeous...I could have definitely stayed for a picnic!

I saw my first palm warbler, but I got better shots later in the day so I'll put those later. I did hear a bird calling that I didn't immediately recognize. I could see its white belly, but eventually it tucked its head down to preen and I could see its bright rufous/oragney head.
Chipping sparrow:

There were lots of little birds around, especially finches, and then saw this cruise over....Trouble! I saw the tiniest little birds chasing after it, which was funny, but I also felt bad for them!

We headed home, but stopped quickly at Shirley's Bay and the feeders. There were a few people there, and I couldn't believe it when I was picking out the birds and explaining the markings to them. So much has changed in a year! Honestly I think they were a little surprised to see a fairly non-typical birder that seemed to know her stuff!

I don't know how I missed this bird last year, but I somehow did. Easy lifer!

#138: Field Sparrow; Hilda Road Feeder; Ottawa; May 7, 2011

Saw my first brown-headed cowbird of the year. Apparently they're around in abundance this year, but I haven't seen them! This is nice because I have not posted a male on my blog before...

A sapsucker swooped in and posed nicely right in front of us!

I came home to this, which has been peeving me off bigtime, because this squirrel just helps himself to EVERYTHING in my yard...bird seed, sugar water, tulip flowers....urghh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later in the day I wanted to hit Britannia. WOW. Now I know what people mean when a place is dripping with birds. I mean, they are just everywhere, and you can barely figure out which ones to look at! It ended quickly though; as soon as the sun set, it seemed to stop immediately. It's so strange: you know that they didn't just LEAVE...they were there just a moment ago, but they go quiet all of a sudden, and you don't see them anywhere. So where the heck are they? I should have gone earlier, but in the very short time, we saw so much!

My second palm of the day. It was quite dark and had to go to flash. I keep forgetting but mean to start using it in the daytime to get sharper shots when the birds are close enough (the flash goes surprisingly far...) I just always forget!!

#139: Palm warbler; Mud Lake, Ottawa; May 7, 2011

A pair of house finches were around. There are some near my work and I hear them first thing in the morning and on my way to the gym, and they always make my heart melt!

Matt caught sight of a black-white-warbler, but I missed it. Must try tomorrow!
So eventually everything quieted down. I got one last bird for the day, a beautiful black-throated blue warbler. I had only seen a female, so this bird was really exciting. Unfortunately, even with the flash, the picture wasn't nearly as stunning as the bird. But I'll post anyway, and hope to see one tomorrow.

I will get up early tomorrow.
I will get up early tomorrow.
I will get up early tomorrow.
I will get up early tomorrow.
I will get up early tomorrow.
I will.....

a quick trip to Shirley's Bay (78-80)

I'd read several reports that there were some Great Egrets at Shirley's Bay, and wasn't sure if I had missed them or not but I went over there to check it out after work. Ok, I have been on the dyke at DND before but today it was TEEMING with birds...in the bay, on the dyke and in the woods. I definitely wish I had more time, and it was also not the best time since the sun was setting across the bay so all the shorebirds were backlit. I'm definitely heading back sometime soon in the early morning.

First off, I found the egrets! There were 6 that I saw. One was quite close but I wasn't sneaky enough and scared it off to the other side of the bay where the rest of them were. No worries though! I hope I get to see them again, but hopefully closer.

#78: Great Egret; Shirley's Bay; July 21, 2010

I also caught a belted kingfisher, which I have been having a hard time getting goos shots off. The money shot is still out there, but this one will definitely do for now.

#79: Belted Kingfisher; Shirley's Bay; July 21, 2010

On the way out, this bird was singing so loud, and the song is SO familiar that you feel like an idiot not being able to name the bird.
#80 (aka eighty, eight-zero, 4/5, 80% there!!!): Wood Thrush; Shirley's Bay; July 21, 2010
(not too sure why this pic went all pixelly on me...I'll have to try and fix it...)

Ok, so there were SO many birds there that I think if I had stayed long enough I might have been able to come close to filling out my 100. But I will have to go back and hope it's as busy. There were lots and lots of shorebirds but my 300mm is just not going to cut it--most of the people I have seen there use spotting scopes, and the birds scare off so easily so you really can't get close.

**For anyone thinking of birding in this area, please remember to call the range control office (613-991-5740 ) to get permission to enter the dyke area! This will ensure that birders continue to have access. Plus, you don't want to get shot at, do you?