Journal 276
Jan. 23 - Pyracantha Birds
Two weeks ago I wrote an article about BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS for the OCEANSIDE STAR. In my concluding paragraph I suggested the large pyracantha hedge at MacDonalds would be a great place to watch for Bohemians. Guess what? When I stopped at MacDonalds this morning, the hard-working owner, BRUCE REILLY, told me that after he read my article last week, he looked outside and a BOHEMIAN was in the hedge! Well, I had to kill 2 hours in town today so I checked out the MacDonalds hedge for awhile - loads of American Robins, House Sparrows, two skulking Varied Thrushes, several Spotted Towhees, and a fleeting Cedar Waxwing. The huge (50 m) hedge is loaded with berries but the sunny side is behind a chain link fence on private property. In a way I was happy not to see any Bohemians as it would have been extremely frustrating to see the birds but not be able to take any pictures.
Seeing that the MacDonalds situation wasn't going to work out, I drove around the block and found a small pyracantha patch right beside the road. I didn't have time to go to Qualicum so I just parked and watched to see if the birds would come to me. It didn't take long before the bush was filled with robins and the occasional Cedar Waxwing. Unfortunately, it was a busy street and every time the birds got settled in, some pedestrians would walk by and away went the birds. With the cloudy skies and pedestrians, the situation was far from ideal, but I didn't have a better plan so I stuck it out for an hour and a half. My reward was a few Cedar Waxwing and American Robin photos. There were also a few House Sparrows and Juncos available, but I passed on them.
Taken for Granted - Robins are probabaly the most common and well-known bird in North America. They are so well-known that I rarely bother with them except when they're decimating my raspberry crop. During the December snows and cold spell, I had hundreds in the arbutus trees sround my yard, but now that the berries are gone, there aren't as many. Mind you, I also have a holly tree that is still quite laden with berries and it is still under periodic siege by the robins.
The pyracantha berries were irresistable to the robins. They returned shortly after each interruption.
The berries didn't look too appetizing up close, but I imagine they were full of nutrition.
Some of the robins found it easier to pick up berries from the ground.
I was surprised to see a lone Cedar Waxwing among the many robins.
Cedar Waxwings usually travel in flocks, but this bird didn't mind the fraternity of robins, or maybe it was just the berries.
Pyracantha berries seem to be very abundant around Parksville. I wonder where the Bohemians are.
It was difficult to get at some of the berries. The Waxwing had to use its wing for balance to get at some of the berries.
*******************************************************
Jan. 24 - Out of the Fog
After 20 consecutive days of fog, it was refreshing to wake up to a fogless day. It was still cold and frosty, but it was great to see the horizon in every direction. Scattered clouds and morning sun was the only invitation I needed chase a few birds. My plan was just to check out all the sunny, east facing slopes along the side roads in Nanoose with the hope of finding a Hermit Thrush. There was a method in my madness. The sun on the east-facing slopes provided better foraging for the birds and better light for the camera. All I had to do was find a spot with birds.
My first stop was on the turn-around at the end of Richard Road. A few Dark-eyed Juncos, Spotted Towhees, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees in the trees caught my attention, but that was nothing compared to the flying leaves just off the side of the road. I watched in amusement as a male Varied Thrush was tossing the leaves helter-skelter in search of food under the leaves. It was a good location to stake out.
Before long the ground was alive with Golden-crowned Sparrows foraging on the trail.
I've seen so many Golden-crowned Sparrows this winter that I've taken them for granted just like the robins. Today was a good time to pay homage to another neglected bird.
With its golden locks and bi-coloured bill, the Golden-crowned is a very handsome bird.
The Golden-crowned Sparrows were enjoying the tender new shoots of grass.
Back View - Shooting at f7.3 and knowing the shallow depth of field of my lens, I had to focus on the head. I wasn't surprised that the back end is out-of-focus.
A couple of Fox Sparrows showed up to join the breakfast party.
The Varied Thrush tossing the leaves was too far away for a shot, but another landed in range.
This was the the closest I've ever been to a live Varied Thrush. It was a good start to my thrush day.
*******************************************************
The Hermit Thrush is the most wary and elusive of our winter birds. The few I have ever seen only offered fleeting and momentary views - just enough for the occasional distant photo. I consider myself lucky just to see the bird let alone get a photo.
As I entered the Fairwinds area, I decided to check out the proposed natural plant project. As I neared the project, I spotted a medium-sized bird foraging in the clearing next to the blackberry brambles. It was smaller than a robin but similar in its foraging behavior. The reddish-brown tail told me it was a Hermit Thrush.
I took a few record shots from a distance and watched as a dog and its walker headed towards the Thrush. I was hoping it would head back towards me. I was pleased to see it fly to the nearby hillside.
After a few more record shots, I slowly approached the bird.
The Thrush was engrossed with its foraging in the lush but short grass.
Several times it hopped towards me and was too close for me to focus.
After about a hundred shots I thanked the Thrush and worked my way back home. I couldn't believe my good fortune in not just finding the the Hermit Thrush but also in finding one that allowed me to get some decent photos. It really made my day - or maybe I should say month.
*******************************************************
*******************************************************
PUBLICATIONS
