[Smithers]

I see that I had missed GMcD's previous Wilson's Snipe......

Pat

[jewill]

Not the greatest picture due to it being not the greatest lighting because it was not the greatest weather (light rain). It's another one for the list though.

Canvasback (Male) by Jewill on Flickr

[GMcD]

The afternoon got pretty bright so I did a trip out to the West Dyke in Richmond, and saw the usual suspects, however a bonus was finding a Long Eared Owl hunkered down low in a cedar tree waiting for the evening hunt. Add the Long Eared Owl to the Challenge list:

Long Eared Owl Feb03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

A busy morning of "family stuff" errands and chores allowed me the reward of an afternoon at Iona Beach park in Richmond, as the skies cleared and some warm sunshine broke out. The inner lagoon nearest the treatment plant was literally covered around the edges with Northern Pintails, Scaups, Ring Necked ducks, Green Winged teals, a few Mallards and Widgeons. The outer ponds had a small group of Ring Necked Ducks, Lesser Scaups, American Coots and a pair of Buffleheads. Saw a Northern Harrier patrolling the fields and marshes, about 20 Great Blue Herons roosted in the marshes to the north of the main boardwalk, and a distant Bald Eagle watching the ducks. Saw a Crow and a Merlin doing a chase game across the pond over in the cottonwood trees.

But this post is to add the Ring Necked duck to this years' Challenge:
Ring Necked Duck by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[stumblingpiper]

Wow! You guys are knocking it out of the park! Sorry I took so long to update the list -- it's been a fast start to my year. We are currently at 81 birds. Cool ... not even out of February yet. haha. I took a stroll today on Knox Mountain in Kelowna. It always delivers ... Here's a White-breasted Nuthatch (glad to have it early this year!)


I also saw this cute Mountain Chickadee ...


Finally, in an area my wife always seems to find woodpeckers, we saw about four of them pecking away. Unless I'm mistaken (which has happened in the past!), here are a male and female set of Hairy Woodpeckers.
The male ...


The female ... kind of hidden ...


Great work and keep them coming! That long-tailed Duck picture is beautiful.
Zach - do you have a site for your astronomy photos? I'm interested ... trying to photograph the Owl Nebula lately ...
James

[GMcD]

In spite of the weather reports indicating cloudy all day today, I saw a clear east sky at dawn, ooh, better get out for a Dawn Patrol on the West Dyke in Richmond - good light, no wind, very pleasant. A few Northern Harriers popping up now and then, nothing too close, a few Bald Eagles lined up along the shoreline keeping watch over their flocks, and the Red Winged Blackbirds were all starting their spring songs. A small flock of American Goldfinches paid a visit to forage in the cattails and marsh along the path, so we can add the American Goldfinch to the Challenge list:

American Goldfinch by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[stumblingpiper]

As I stated above, we are at 81 birds. Great job, everyone! Keep them coming!
Here's the current list (as I have it ...) lol.
James
viewtopic.php?p=92000#p92000

[jewill]

Spring is in the air - at least today it is. I knew I had to go somewhere so I checked out my favourite birding site, Brydon Lagoon. I was not disappointed - nice weather, nice people and even all the dogs were well behaved and on leash!
I got 2 more for the list at Brydon -

Beautiful Wood Ducks and both in the same frame!
Wood Duck (Male & Female) by Jewill on Flickr

A female Ruddy Duck, when she decided to wake up which was only for a few minutes; otherwise she spent the entire time I was there sleeping with her head tucked under her wing.
Ruddy Duck (Female) by Jewill on Flickr

And then back home, taken from the patio, another addition to the list, a Mourning Dove.
Mourning Dove by Jewill on Flickr

I'm going to add this photo of a Dark-eyed Junco even though we already have one - a Male Oregon; this one is a Female Slate-coloured (I haven't seen this sub-species in a few years so it was nice that she paid a visit).
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-coloured - Female) by Jewill on Flickr

I see you just updated the list James (sorry I missed getting in on it) - we are now at 84 birds I think.

[NewWestBirder]

Common (Eurasian) Teal Male (Annas crecca) by Randy, on Flickr

[NewWestBirder]

Sanderling (Calidris alba) by Randy, on Flickr

[NewWestBirder]

I'm enjoying all the great shots being posted. Looks like we're going to have a good year.

[stumblingpiper]

Wow Judy and Randy! Nice photos ... Those wood ducks and that teal! Awesome. We are definitely starting out strong!

[NewWestBirder]

Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) by Randy, on Flickr

[NewWestBirder]

Great Horned Owl by R Varga, on Flickr

This owl seems to have taken up residence in the "natural area" of the Terra Nova Regional Park. It was a cold, grey day, and wasn't having much fun until I came across this opportunity.

[BillGyles]

I found his Merlin on my way home from an uneventful afternoon at Nanaimo Estuary.
Merlin by Bill Gyles, on Flickr