Title photo - Merganser Merriment aka the Gunnel Party
Dec. 8/09 - Deep Bay Spit has been one of my all-time favorite photography locations over the years. My favorite time is the depth of winter on a cold, brisk, sunny morning when the tourists are on the other side of the equator and the locals are still nursing their 2nd cups of coffee in the warmth of their homes. Sometimes there's nothing when I arrive. That's when patience is required. In fact, there was nothing when I arrived last week. Even my usual flock of Long-taileds were AWOL. I wasn't disappointed as I knew that something would eventually materialize. One year I didn't see anything for over an hour. My fingers were numb from the bone-chilling subzero wind that gusted down the Salish Sea, but I was willing to give it another ten minutes. Suddenly, about 15 meters offshore a pair of loons surfaced simultaneously out of the choppy waters. One was a Common Loon. The other was a Yellow-billed Loon. It was worth the wait.
I would have been happy just to see my Long-taileds today as this was my first real photography visit since early spring. But, when I finally spotted them, they were half way to Denman Island. The only other birds I saw were a flock of Red-breasted Mergansers about a quarter of the way to Denman, but they were heading my way. The only other bird action was a few cormorants flying back and forth. They were both Double-cresteds and Pelagics. I decided to try for some flight shots if they came close enough. Meanwhile, the Red-breasteds were getting closer.
Despite the lack of activity, I was enjoying the solitude and beauty of mountains, islands, and the water. It was cold, but there was no wind, the morning sun was energizing, and I was dressed warmly. I even had my winter golf gloves on to keep the fingers from freezing.
I was watching the Red-breasteds as they got closer. I expected that they would turn back once they noticed me, but they didn't. Pretty soon they were about 20 meters in front of me and they started to dive. One shot up with a gunnel fish in it's bill, and it was quickly pursued by another merganser. The chase was hilarious, but it was going away from me and too far for pictures. I didn't have to worry as the ducks were popping up all over the place with their prey. Suddenly a male popped up close to me and was instantly the target of another male. The chase was on, and they were in camera range. They were right in front of me spraying water all over the place as they twisted and turned. All the waiting had paid off. I had never seen a Red-breasted feeding frenzy before, and I got a some good action shots.
The timing was perfect. I had the spit all to myself for 90 minutes, and I got some interesting photos of a bird that is often difficult to photograph. I was just packing up when a man arrived with his dog. He was going to throw sticks in the water for his dog to retrieve. Another walker showed up, and as I was leaving a group of 15 birders arrived. I still had to go to Campbell River so it was a perfect time to leave.
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Just after I finished with the mergansers and just before the distractions arrived, look who flew in.
Better late than never. I didn't have time to stay for a Long-tailed visit, but I had time for a couple of flight shots.
It was so good to see them again. I'll be back on another sunny morning for a better visit.
Here comes another one!
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The tide was still high when I got to the Airpark in Courtenay, and the lagoon was half frozen. The ducks were all gone. They were in the river. Even the dabbling Green-winged teals were in the deep water, and they were dabbling on the surface.
I couldn't see what they were eating, but they were more concerned about lunch than they were of me.
Once they got used to me they got a little closer. With the sun at my back I got some decent photos.
Now do you see the green wing?
I was pleased with the Green-winged Teal photos. Like the Red-breasted Mergansers, they are often difficult to photograph.
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Bird Poster
My posters are on display at: Victoria - Swan Lake Nature House; Nanoose Bay - Credit Union; Courtenay - Graham's Jewellers
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PUBLICATIONS
VOLUME I & II BOOKS AVAILABLE AT
PARKSVILLE & QUALICUM - MULBERRYBUSH BOOKSTORES
NANAIMO - SAVE-ON FOODS (WOODGROVE),
SAVE-ON FOODS (COUNTRY CLUB), CHAPTERS, FALCONER BOOKS
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COMOX - BLUE HERON BOOKS
BOWSER - LIGHTHOUSE GIFTS
DEEP BAY - SHIP & SHORE
SAANICH - WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED
VICTORIA - BOLEN BOOKS, MUNRO'S, CROWN PUBLICATIONS, IVY'S
CAMPBELL RIVER - SAVE-ON FOODS, COHO BOOKS, CAMPBELL RIVER MUSEUM
DUNCAN - VOLUME 1 BOOKSTORE
CHEMAINUS - WILLOW"S WILD BIRD STORE
LADYSMITH - SALAMANDER BOOKS
NANOOSE - SCHOONER COVE MARINA
LAKE COWICHAN - GALLOPING MOON GALLERY
TOFINO - BOTANICAL GARDENS
QUADRA ISLAND - EXPLORE & BOOK BONANZA
LANGFORD - WILD BIRD CENTER
SOOKE - READING ROOM BOOKSTORE
SOOKE - MUSEUM
Port Hardy - MUSEUM
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