[revs]

Left the house at around 6:30am and decided to check out Camosun bog in Point Grey first as i'm always looking for Hutton's Vireo and Townsend's Warbler but as has been the story the last 3 or 4 times i've visited, i've left without a shot, maybe i'm in the wrong area, i don't know, sure is a nice spot though..

Next, i was off to Iona to waste some time before Nikon opened and i could retrieve my "evil" flash unit that was repaired and ready to go.

Walking in the inner ponds i decided to wait out some Blue-winged teal, laying down on some kinda-yucky ground wasn't fun, but at least it was soft
eventually got lucky aned a few started to drift my way, super skitish bird, i know if i was standing up there was no way they would come close like they did.







among the small group of teal was a curious fella, who my suspicions tell me might be a Blue-winged teal X Northern Shoveler mix, it was in with the teal acting just like them while another group of shoveler swam in the distance, all by themselves.
Looking through my guide-book i notice that early fall shoveler males have a similar cresent mark on their cheek but seeing one this early? does that make sense?
i don't know, interesting bird though.







later on i came across some birds on a wire, Purple martins to be exact.



and even a White-crowned sparrow taking a break, hey, even birds need to chill sometimes.



thanks for looking

[esle9]

Great shots! The martin is beautiful.
I think you're right about the shoveler x teal hybrid, I googled "Northern Shoveler hybrid" and found some that looked just like your bird. Neat combination!

[Keithmac]

Great shots Paul, a real interesting duck!!!

[hakristi]

nice shots

[LoganLalonde]

Very clear and crisp shots Paul. I love the teal series and the lighting on the Purple Martin. The angles on all the pictures are perfect! Keep it up!

[featherweight]

Very interesting Shoveler/Teal combo possibility! Love the Purple Martin!