Birding at Minoru Park & Sunset watching at the Dyke

My mother and I went grocery shopping in downtown Richmond today. Before that, we decided to do a little bit of birding around Minoru Park. It was the usual birds but they were preening a lot today.

Mallard preening.

Female Common Merganser.

The male.


Female merganser swimming by.

Can't forget one of the commonest creatures in the park nowadays - park bunny. You can sort of see my reflection in the bunny's eye - that's how I close I was to it and how unafraid it was of humans. Not good.


Some pretty colors to lighten the relatively gray and brown winter.


Another common creature of the park - Eastern Gray Squirrel (black morph).

In the afternoon, after we got back home, I quickly biked to the dyke to enjoy the sunset.

Getting darker.




Beautiful sunset.


Moon is entering into the sky now too.

365 days ago (2009-01-23) ... Interestingly, we are waiting for the manager to come and fix (or should I say replace) our kitchen sink again. Darn this stupid old appliance.
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Blue Sky-watching Friday

I arrived a bit early in downtown this morning, so I was free to take some photos from my usual spot.

Then during the lunch break, I went out to enjoy some sunshine by the waterfront.

There were two dogs in that sailboat wearing life-vests.

Gorgeous day.

A Pelagic Cormorant was quite close to me today. The water rocked while I tried to take its photo.

Another sky-watching photo.

I like the lighting on the building and the blue sky in the background and the green field below (not well-captured by the camera).

New art at Habour Green Park - Skin of Time. I wish I know how to take a good photo of this art piece.

Weekend starts tomorrow. Enjoy, everyone.

365 days ago (2009-01-22)...
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Sky-watching Thursday (and forgot about SAD)

Gray sky-watching during lunch break.

Heading home...much nicer (Polaroid-version)

Oil-painted (digitally) version - the actual image isn't too far off.

Hope tomorrow's weather is nice too, I am working in Downtown again tomorrow.

366 days ago (2009-01-20) ...
365 days ago (2009-01-21) ... D'oh, forgot 01/21 is SAD day (Squirrel Appreciation Day)!
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Gray day by the dyke watching harrier (and heron)

Today's too gray of a day to be in an energetic mood, and so I just sat at a bench by the dyke and snapped photos of a male Northern Harrier.

Gray day.

Here's to looking at you, Mr. Harrier.


One snapshot of a juvenile Great Blue Heron before I headed home.

I have an on-call job at my old workplace tomorrow, so I don't think I'll be doing anything outside tomorrow. Good night all.
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Calm after the windstorm & Bike ride to the dyke

Last night's windstorm caused quite a damage throughout the coast, including right outside our apartment where a tree was blown down. Thank goodness it fell on the side without any buildings.

I will miss this big old tree in front of our yard.

The strong wind blew away all the clouds and it was a beautiful afternoon - excellent time for a bike ride.

Along the ditch, the Mallards were swimming and preening and enjoying the nice weather.

Quickest way to dry the feathers.

Continuing with the bike ride, I spotted this Song Sparrow, who situated itself in a thorny position.

Excellent defense - it didn't even bother to fly away as I inch closer for a better focus through all the branches knowing it is safe.

In the Terra Nova Share Farm, I spotted several hawks and harriers and they were all quickly chased by crows dominating the area.

Unknown Accipiter

Then being chased further away from me.

In Terra Nova Slough, I observed my first pair of Northern Shovelers (Anas clypeata) of the year!

Using my TCON-lens, I was able to get some closer pictures (than ever before)!

Female


Male. Love its glossy green head and that out-of-this-world bill!

According to All About Birds, "Northern Shoveler pairs are monogamous, and remain together longer than pairs of other dabbling duck species." Cool fact!

Photographed this Great Blue Heron and its reflection as I biked home.

The Actual Sunset.


Transforming the sunset photo into a Polaroid - using the free Poladroid (Polaroid Image Maker). I like it - very vintage-like!
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Sleepiness in Minoru Park

Today, I visited Minoru Park and Aberdeen Centre with my mother, but Minoru Park was more interesting despite the general mood of tiredness and sleepiness (that's exactly how I feel in this gray Sunday).

Sleeping female Common Mergansers.

More sleeping 'gansers.

A female was awake.

So was this male.

Yawn. American Wigeons.


Female Mallard preening.


A hybridized Mallard sleeping between the rocks.


Black Grey Squirrel eating.

Many Canada Geese.

Not in the mood for a lengthy post today, so that's all. Have a good night, everyone.

365 days ago (2009-01-17) ...
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