Category: British Columbia

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Heron and a trio of ducks

I'm not sure if the heron is staring at the trio of ducks, or at something else in the small pond. It was very close to the turn around point on my walk, and when I passed by again less than 5 minutes later, the heron was still there, but the ducks had found another place to spend the morning.
I’m not sure if the heron is staring at the trio of ducks, or at something else in the small pond. It was very close to the turn around point on my walk, and when I passed by again less than 5 minutes later, the heron was still there, but the ducks had found another place to spend the morning.
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Bald Eagle – Straight Ahead!

Even though it is a holiday and I didn’t need to get up at the crack of dawn to head to work, I did anyways, so I could head out for an early morning walk with Spencer and hopefully catch a few nice photos of the sunrise or the herons (which I did!).  I’d already snapped over 130 photos on our hour walk, so I decided to put my camera away.  I’ve beaten myself up before about putting my camera away before getting to the car, and hopefully today will have driven that point through my thick skull!

I don’t know if it was a sound or the movement over the water that caught my attention, but I looked to the right over the river, and heading towards me at top speed was a bald eagle.  Thank goodness I took my camera in my sling bag, not my backpack, as I was able to get it out in time, turn it on, and snap a few photos.  I am seriously grateful I put my camera into auto ISO mode earlier on the walk (I actually didn’t realize it was possible on M to use auto ISO on this camera – so much still to learn about the new body!) but I’m sure that is what kept me from having a bunch of photos either over or under exposed.

The perfect ending to a beautiful sunrise walk :) 1/100sec, f6.3, ISO360
The perfect ending to a beautiful sunrise walk 🙂
1/100sec, f6.3, ISO360
Getting closer!
Getting closer!
A very intense look to have coming at you at top speed! 1/100sec, f6.3, ISO280
A very intense look to have coming at you at top speed!
1/100sec, f6.3, ISO280
I did not crop this photo; the eagle really was this close. I had my lens at the maximum reach of 300mm, but I am still quite shocked just how close the eagle passed in front of us. I'm very grateful I keep Spencer on a short leash at all times, because I imagine to an eagle he looks like breakfast. 1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO560
I did not crop this photo; the eagle really was this close. I had my lens at the maximum reach of 300mm, but I am still quite shocked just how close the eagle passed in front of us. I’m very grateful I keep Spencer on a short leash at all times, because I imagine to an eagle he looks like breakfast.
1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO560
My last view of this majestic eagle this morning; moments later he was obscured by trees. 1/10023c, f6.3, ISO160
My last view of the majestic eagle this morning; moments later he was obscured by trees.
1/10023c, f6.3, ISO160
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Osprey crash landing

While out walking this morning, two Ospreys flying around over the Pitt River caught my attention.  Spencer was gracious enough to wait patiently while I tried to snap a few photos of them.  The sequence that follows unfolded in only a minute, though it seemed much longer than that, as I watched one Osprey struggling for its life.

A pair of Ospreys flying above the Pitt River. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO400
A pair of Ospreys flying above the Pitt River.
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO400
The one on the right is getting dangerously close to the water.
The one on the right is getting dangerously close to the water.
With a big splash, one of the ospreys end up in the river.
With a big splash, one of the ospreys ends up in the river.
While the osprey struggles in the water, its parent (or partner) circles above.
While the osprey struggles in the water, its parent (or partner) circles above.
Swooping around to assess the situation.
Swooping around to assess the situation.
It has managed to get its wings out of the water, but still no luck in getting airborne.
It has managed to get its wings out of the water, but still no luck in getting airborne.
After circling again and again, an attempt is made to lift the osprey out of the water, but that doesn't work.
After circling again and again, an attempt is made to lift the osprey out of the water, but that doesn’t work.  I’m not even certain if contact was actually made.
The osprey has managed to get its wings partially out of the water again, while its partner circles above.
The waterlogged osprey has managed to get its wings partially out of the water again, while the other circles above.
The ospreys' wings are finally nearly clear of the water.
The ospreys’ wings are nearly clear of the water.
Finally, the osprey manages to free itself from the water, and take to the air again.
Finally, the osprey manages to free itself from the water, and takes to the air again.
Heading back to the safety of the nest to recuperate!
Heading back to the safety of the nest to recuperate!

The photos are a bit fuzzy, but I was so much more concerned with taking in what was happening (and rooting for the poor osprey each time it sunk lower into the water and struggled to keep its head up).  I’m so glad I got to see a happy ending today.

 

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Juvenile Northern Flicker

This juvenile northern flicker stayed on the power line for what seemed to be a remarkably long time given how close I was (they always seem very skittish), but it spent most of the time looking in the opposite direction of me and my camera. This one hasn't yet developed the distinct red streaks along the cheek. The previous week I saw 7 flickers at one time; how I wish I would have had my camera along for that! 1/500sec, f6.3, ISO100
This juvenile northern flicker stayed on the power line for what seemed to be a remarkably long time given how close I was (they always seem very skittish), but it spent most of the time looking in the opposite direction of me and my camera. This one hasn’t yet developed the distinct red streaks along the cheek.
The previous week I saw 7 flickers at one time; how I wish I would have had my camera along for that!
1/500sec, f6.3, ISO100
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Heron Silhouette

I'd never before seen a heron perched on the top of the water depth marker near the dike pumping station, and I quickly got my camera out to snap a few photos. I really wasn't pleased with the results though; the photos were far too soft for my liking. I did a quick conversion in Silver Efex Pro to see if there was any way to create an interesting image, and I'm actually quite pleased with the results. 1/500 sec, f6.3, ISO 100
I’d never before seen a heron perched on the top of the water depth marker near the dike pumping station, and I quickly got my camera out to snap a few photos. I really wasn’t pleased with the results though; the photos were far too soft for my liking.  I did a quick conversion in Silver Efex Pro to see if there was any way to create an interesting image, and I’m actually quite pleased with the results.
1/500 sec, f6.3, ISO 100
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Group of herons

I've only seen a group of herons together one other time, and that was when they were perched in trees (I wish I would have been able to get decent photos of that event, but it was in thick fog). I was surprised to see this group together, and unfortunately it was right at the end of the dike, so I didn't have an opportunity to try the shot from a better angle. 1/1600 sec, f6.3, ISO400
I’ve only seen a group of herons together one other time, and that was when they were perched in trees (I wish I would have been able to get decent photos of that event, but it was in thick fog). I was surprised to see this group together, and unfortunately it was right at the end of the dike, so I didn’t have an opportunity to try the shot from a better angle.
1/1600 sec, f6.3, ISO400
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Great Blue Heron

Last Sunday morning started on a sad note. While driving to the dikes, I slowed when I saw something laying in the middle of the road, and unfortunately it was one of these beautiful herons that had been struck by a car. I was planning on removing it from the road after our walk, but thankfully someone else had done so by the time we returned...unless a coyote got to it first. After the sad start, I had some of the best heron sightings I've had in a while; so many individuals were out that morning. It was quite hazy with the heat, but thankfully I came away after a lovely walk with a few good photos :) 1/1250 sec, f6.3, ISO 400
Last Sunday morning started on a sad note. While driving to the dikes, I slowed when I saw something laying in the middle of the road, and unfortunately it was one of these beautiful herons that had been struck by a car. I was planning on removing it from the road after our walk, but thankfully someone else had done so by the time we returned…unless a coyote got to it first.
After the sad start, I had some of the best heron sightings I’ve had in a while; so many individuals were out that morning. It was quite hazy with the heat, but thankfully I came away after a lovely walk with a few good photos 🙂
1/1250 sec, f6.3, ISO 400
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