May 8, 2009
We took our usual walk around the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve today, reinforcing our love of spring with the colourful birds that show up with the new green leaves and flowers.
American Goldfinches catch our attention with that glint of yellow and their sweet little voice.
There was a kerfuffle over the stump in the slough between several Canada Geese today. They kept taking turns standing on the tall broken Cottonwood.
Another scuffle occurred when the resident Bald Eagles and resident Red-tailed Hawks got into a great screaming and flying match, possibly over the Bald Eagles getting too close to the Red-tailed Hawk nest. Everything finally calmed down and the Red-tailed Hawk returned to its nest.
The Great Blue Herons are busy with nesting, some of them are still building nests, others are incubating their eggs and yet others are tending to young chicks. We could hear the chicks that have hatched calling for attention while we watched all the activity. Most of the nests are now obscured by the new spring growth of leaves.
American Robins were quite active today; they were very vocal as usual. They are so often heard that we never think to record them.
Song Sparrows were active today as well.
Savannah Sparrows sang and attracted attention to themselves with their voices.
A Golden-crowned Sparrow wiped its beak on a branch to clean it up.
Two Barn Swallows appear to have nested close to the main bridge; they were spending some time on the wires over the bridge today.
Turtles used logs to rest on behind the East Bird Blind.
Cottontail Rabbits were seen in several different areas today.
A very smart looking male Wood Duck was behind the East Bird Blind.
Frogs did their best to blend in with their surroundings while enjoying some time out of water.
Yellow-rumped Warblers were near the main bridge when we walked across it.
An Orange-crowned Warbler was with the Yellow-rumped Warblers.
The male Common Yellowthroats were still singing in various areas near the paths.
A very pretty male Yellow Warbler stopped us in our tracks while we tried to get its photo far away in a Willow shrub.
Another bird called attention to itself with its voice; Scott had told us to watch and listen for the Bullock’s Oriole on the dyke road near the Heronry. There it was, across the slough deep in the midst of a tree; it was mostly obscured by leaves. What a marvellous bird.
We stopped for a quick hello to Yvonne today, had a nice visit with Doug and Stella in the garden behind the Rotary Interpretive Centre and waved to Janet and Bruce in the Rotary Interpretive Centre on our way home. We hope that you enjoy your weekend. The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is having a digital photo workshop tomorrow, May 9th 2009. Local photographer, Ken Bramble will help people with understanding digital cameras with a workshop. For more information check out the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve website at this link, then click on events, proceeds will go to the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve:
http://www.chilliwackblueheron.com/
We are not authorities on birds, wildlife, plants, cameras or photography, if you are doing research on any subjects, please refer to a more educational site for advice and double-check whatever you research.
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