British Columbia – Page 16 – Jennifer Sawicky Photography

August 19, 2014

Bald Eagles

I was surprised that the pair of eagles that I saw involved in the osprey chick stealing were still hanging around at the end of my walk, after all the trouble the mother osprey had been giving the pair.

I call this one the double shoulder check. 1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO2000 — I call this one the double shoulder check.
1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO2000

A bald eagle works on loosening some twigs and debris from a post while her partner looks on. 1/640, f5.6, ISO1400 — A bald eagle works on loosening some twigs and debris from a post while her partner looks on.
1/640, f5.6, ISO1400

August 16, 2014

Heron on a post

A great blue heron perches out over the water, where I normally see the ospreys. 1/1000 sec, f5.6, ISO250 — A great blue heron perches out over the water, where I normally see the ospreys.
1/1000 sec, f5.6, ISO250

August 15, 2014

Heron in flight

Believe it or not, the heron landed in the somewhat flimsy looking tree at the far left of the photo! 1/640sec, f5.6, ISO400 — Believe it or not, the heron landed in the somewhat flimsy looking tree at the far left of the photo!
1/640sec, f5.6, ISO400

August 14, 2014

Northern flicker silhouette

A northern flicker cries out from the top of an electrical pole in the early morning light. 1/2000sec, f7.1, ISO400 — A northern flicker cries out from the top of an electrical pole in the early morning light.
1/2000sec, f7.1, ISO400

August 14, 2014

Bald Eagle

It has been wonderful to watch, and capture, drama involving the eagles and ospreys the past couple of weekends, but I must admit, it is also nice to once in a while see them sitting still so I actually have the chance to really focus and compose a shot! 1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO500 — It has been wonderful to watch, and capture, drama involving the eagles and ospreys the past couple of weekends, but I must admit, it is also nice to once in a while see them sitting still so I actually have the chance to really focus and compose a shot!
1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO500

August 13, 2014

Heron Reflection

A heron casts a lovely reflection while standing in the shallows of the Pitt River around sunrise. 1/640sec, f5.6, ISO400 — A heron casts a lovely reflection while standing in the shallows of the Pitt River around sunrise.
1/640sec, f5.6, ISO400

August 12, 2014

Killdeer

While I snapped photos, the Killdeer hoped around and kept extending its neck up and down, reminding me of the movements that a pigeon makes. — While I snapped photos, the Killdeer hopped around and kept extending its neck up and down, reminding me of the movements that a pigeon makes.

August 11, 2014

Swallows

The hazy days of summer. A combination of early morning fog and the sun coming up from behind the Golden Ears Mountains. 1/640sec, f5.6, ISO400 — The hazy days of summer. A combination of early morning fog and the sun coming up from behind the Golden Ears Mountains.
1/640sec, f5.6, ISO400

A northern rough winged swallow. 1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO640 — A northern rough winged swallow.
1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO640

I'd never before noticed such a huge group of swallows. They stayed out over the water only for a short time, and then all headed back towards the trees and grasses. 1/640sec, f5.6, ISO400 — I’d never before noticed such a huge group of swallows. They stayed out over the water only for a short time, and then all headed back towards the trees and grasses.
1/640sec, f5.6, ISO400

I've been lucky enough to capture some decent photos of both the northern rough winged swallow, and this cliff swallow. I've definitely seen some barn swallows in the mix as well, but I haven't managed to get any photos of them yet. 1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO640. — I’ve been lucky enough to capture some decent photos of both the northern rough winged swallow, and this cliff swallow. I’ve definitely seen some barn swallows in the mix as well, but I haven’t managed to get any photos of them yet.
1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO640.

August 10, 2014

Bald Eagles versus an Osprey

I was out for my usual Saturday morning walk, when I heard a great amount of commotion out on the water, and I knew even before I looked that the cry was of an eagle. The bald eagle had raided the nest of an osprey and stole one of the chicks, and the mother osprey was out for blood.

The bald eagle pauses on one of the eroding pylons in the Pitt River, with the osprey chick still clutched in her talons.

Calling out to her partner, the lifeless legs of the chick dangling in the air.

The chick is dropped into the river, as the eagle begins her defence against the mother osprey.

Even though nothing can be done to save the chick, the osprey mother is relentless in her attacks of the eagle.

The osprey circles back again to try for another attack.

The dramas unfolding in nature are better than any soap opera!

The eagle's partner flies in to provide reinforcement. — The eagle’s partner flies in to provide reinforcement.

The nest robber still defends her position as her partner comes in to land.

The landing is aborted and the battle continues in the air.

As the drama continued in the air, Spencer was getting restless and it was time to carry on with our walk.

August 9, 2014

Trumpeter Swan

After a very stressful week, I was dragging my butt this morning, but I still managed to get out the door for our walk by ten past six. I almost left my camera at home, but decided to bring it along at the last minute – I’m so glad I did. I had a lovely walk with Spencer and fabulous bird sightings as well. I have lots of editing and posting to do over the next few days!

Today was the first time I saw a trumpeter swan along the Pitt River. I’ve not had any success in finding any information online about what the tag signifies, but it is a yellow neck band, marked with M38 as well as a visible band around one leg.