Rare sunny break = bike to south dyke

The sun made a brief appearance this afternoon, and I used this opportunity to go out and exercise for a bit by biking to the dyke.

 

Sun was getting to set as I arrived (just after 3 pm).

Ladybug and Birds

I imagine that this will be the only post for the next couple days as rain head our way. Today was overcast and windy.

My first ladybug of the year. It has 19 spots (2, 3, 3, 1 on each side, from anterior to the end; and one spot right in the middle); therefore, this is a 19-Spotted Ladybug (Harmonia axyridis). It was walking along the railings of a dock. It seemed to have trouble walking against the wind, so I gently nudged it towards a depression where it can hide.

Blossoms are here! Good day to be out

Besides seeing the American Bittern today, I also saw many interesting things.

First, the blossoms are here! Despite seeing them every year, it's still exciting to see these beautiful flowers. I took these from the Phoenix Pond in Steveston, but they are starting to blossom everywhere in the city now.

Birding on this cold cold day

Brrr! Today's probably the coldest I felt so far this season. But it was sunny and beautiful, so outside I must go (plus I had a late and filling lunch, and need to work it off)!

Snow-capped on Mount Baker

Birding at Finn Slough - Bird of the day: TUVU

Another bike ride to Finn Slough to get the much-needed exercise/birding.

Along the way, I saw lots of Mew Gulls and other gulls circling around in the sky.

Many Golden-crowned Sparrow feeding.

Biking to Paulik and Garden City Parks

It was not as sunny as yesterday but still good enough for a bike ride after lunch.

I had to pay some bills today, so I went to Garden City and visited Paulik Park and Garden City Park afterwards.

Paulik Park

A very quiet area where you can just stand still and listen to birds sing.

Definitely not a Wordless Wednesday - Heron up-close and American Mink again!!!

My story began when I biked across the bridge towards the Terra Nova Natural Area. Looking to my left, a young heron was just across from the deck!

So close!

Not wanting to startle the heron and missing the opportunity to photograph it up-close, I parked my bike on the grass and slowly walked towards it.

Getting closer.

Heron doing its business

My mother and I went to Richmond Centre today to get some supplies for my upcoming trip to Ontario.

Cutting through the Minoru Park.

Using the pin-hole art filter in the camera. Very cool.

Herons finding and catching prey

Once again the terrible weather has not arrive yet (I am dreading it). But at least I can enjoy another dry but gray day.

The Bald Eagle was at home when I rode by.

Almost got a straight face-on passport shot like this one. So funny! I think I scared this heron and it flew away when I was photographing it. Sorry.

Another good birding day..

Another gorgeous day today!

Not a cloud in sight.

Saw this small-sized accipiter flew past me while near the golf course. I quickly turned around and followed it. It was hiding in the branches against the sun, so I had to really overexpose the picture to get a brighter shot. Luckily, the software was able to bring some of the colors back. This was definitely not a Red-tailed Hawk, I think it was either a Cooper's or a Sharp-shinned Hawk - I can never really tell them apart even with the help of this website.

A Cooper's Hawk, perhaps? Because of the finer brown streaks on the upper breast.

A Bald Eagle was already in the nest when I came out. It was sticking its head (the only reason I could spot it) and perhaps looking for its partner?

A Great Blue Heron was dozing off on this tree today. Is it because it is safer and/or drier?


A closer-up shot.


Saw many Golden-crowned Sparrows today. This was one of them.

Hooded Mergansers and Gadwalls were spotted at the Terra Nova slough.

I think today was a day when I saw the most Short-eared Owls in all of my outings. I think I saw them at least five or six times today, with at least two individuals observed.

365 days ago (2009-02-20) ...
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Awaiting blue day

As much as it is great for the world to see Vancouver's true winter gray, miserable colors (and why nobody know about this beforehand, I have no idea), I wish sunshine would just appear for a while (I tried to go out on Thursday, but as soon as I got to the dyke, it started pouring and so I went back home).

Today was just one of the days I been wishing for - although many people probably wished the same thing judging by the number of people today at the dyke.

Beautiful blue sky with a good view.

Plenty of birds, such as Golden-crowned Sparrows, were out foraging.

While at the Share-Farm, I saw a Short-eared Owl flying towards the Snow Geese and disappearing behind the tall grasses. I decided to go and see where it had landed and hoped I will be able to photograph it. And there it was! Standing on top of a pole and looking at the grasses below.

So magnificent. It flew away shortly afterwards, but what an experience to see it closer!

By the Terra Nova Slough, I saw a pair of Killdeers again at the spot where a pair nested last year. I wonder if they are the same couple.

Such elegant birds. I wouldn't know they were there had they not make any noises.

Beautiful sky-watching at Terra Nova.
Zooming out of the TCON lens gave this interesting dark corners around the image. Is this what lomography is?

Sunset - time to go home.

Oh yeah, Happy Valentine's Day / Chinese New Year / first Canadian gold medal in Canada (can't believe no one won a gold back in '88).

369 days ago (2009-02-10) ...
368 days ago (2009-02-11) ...
367 days ago (2009-02-12) ...
366 days ago (2009-02-13) ...
365 days ago (2009-02-14) ...
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Biked to the dyke: Owl-watching & Sunset watching.

I have been playing catch-up with publishing my blog posts these last couple of days. Well, I finally posted on time today. With the high pressure system here in southwestern BC, we have been receiving sunshine and around-freezing temperatures at the same time. But I take cold temperatures over the rain at time of the year!

Anyways, I was able to go out this afternoon and get some much-needed dose of wildlife-watching!

When I arrived at the dyke, the view was fantastic! A clear view to the North Shore Mountains.

The Short-eared Owl was still around! And this time it flew much closer to the path than the last time.

But like the last time, a Northern Harrier came and try to chase the owl away.

The chase was short, and the owl quickly flew off in the other direction.

Continuing biking, I arrived at Terra Nova and watched the Snow Geese resting and eating.

Adult and Juvenile Snow Geese

There were some other birds around too, like this American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

A Black-capped Chickadee feeding on the insects on the bark of this tree made a quick appearance too.

A quiet shot of the Terra Nova slough.

Pretty soon, the sky was getting darker and the sun was setting.

In a short span of 14 minutes, the sun was soon over the Gulf Islands. And...

Leaving some beautiful colors behind....
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Finally a sunny break

What a gorgeous day it turned out to be in the afternoon. The sky cleared and animals were out in full forces enjoying the rare sunshine.

The Bald Eagle was out too. Although it didn't look too happy?

Turned out the reason was this annoying crow that kept diving at the eagle and cawing loudly.

Ignoring it won't work.

Nor will screaming at it. Some people (or birds) just never get it.

I was also lucky enough today to see this Great Blue Heron enjoying a nice, big, fat fish. Yum.

Mushrooms are here? I guess the rain the last couple of days had the fungi thinking it is autumn already.

A couple of Lesser Yellowlegs were out feeding.

While looking at the mushroom and Yellowlegs, I sort of wondered too close to the Killdeers' nest - leading to its infamous broken wing act. It was my first time seeing it performed and they did it quite well.

Yes, I fell for your trick. Now go back and attend those eggs, please.

Near the same location, four Canada Geese and a pair of Gadwall were enjoying the fresh green grasses.

Love this view. Too bad the trail was only a few metres long. It would be pretty amazing if there is an entire forest beyond this opening.

A Golden-crowned Sparrow pulling out the Dandelion fluffs and eating the seeds. Must be tasty because it ate quite a lot.

A nice round tummy.

Probably the same Great Blue Heron as the one I saw earlier.

Hooray, Friday tomorrow!

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