Why Can't I See You

In the past couple of years I have become way more atune to birds, taking their photos, listening to them, reading up on the ones I see, hear and photograph so that I can identify them and when I'm out walking and I hear them hiding in the trees all I want to do is see them - hopefully with camera in hand. Where we live we have a parklike lot beside our house and the railway runs behind, the lot has a large leaf maple tree, well actually two of them - we have one in our yard too but that is irrelevant at this point. Over the past several weeks I would hear a new call and every time I went to see if I could spot the culprit, the bird would fly in the direction that I could not see it... very frustrating. The only thing I had to begin to try and identify it was the call but I am a novice and without even a glimpse it would be a tall order to figure out what kind of bird would make that call.... then one day it happened,  I caught a glimpse ever so brief but it was enough for me to narrow the search - a hawklike bird. Hmmm?... I know I will google to see if there is a site that has bird calls on it - I love the internet search engine!  I found a site and  listened to several calls - then that feeling of satisfaction came over me -  I figured it out... a Cooper's Hawk.  Oh so exciting!!

For the past couple of weeks, everytime I hear that familiar call I creep out my side door and carefully go down the stairs so as not to startle the bird - camera in hand and wouldn't you know it most every time I lift the camera to my eye - he flies and then I am rewarded - well sort of. The shots are okay, certainly not crystal clear but clear enough to see he's been having a feast in the tree - busy little guy ;p

Above he has his catch. Then he flew away, when he came back his supper was missing but he had a little spot on his feathers... evidence I would say.

Now when he returns I still run for the camera and go into stealth mode and my heart leaps with excitement. Its crazy... crazy love of birds and the wonder of God's glorious creation!

teresa_mae's photostream

teresa_mae's photostream on Flickr.

my photos on flickr

My List...

In April while reading blogs, I happened upon a blog written by a young women I met at our church, in it she talked about a list that she is working her way through 101 things to do in 1,001 days I thought to myself as I read through her list that it sounded like fun, interesting and a good way to shake my winter blues. So, I decided to embark on my own 1,001 day journey. It took me a few days to think of all the things I might want to put on my list and when I got to #93 it was tough going so that one was "to finish this list" - a good strart at the end of preparing my list because I was able to cross something off right away. The list contains many different things, books to read, people to spend time with, healthy practices to start and places to go.  So far I have crossed off 'quit coffee for 30 days', 'renovate our laundry room' and my favourite...'discover a new place in the lower mainland that I've never been to before'.  I have grown to love taking photos of birds, so when I was researching places in the lower mainland I came across Iona Beach Regional Park in a list of places to see multiple birds. Our first visit was May 1 and since we have returned many times. I appreciate Iona for several reasons, we can take our dog with us, there are many birds, the beach is beautiful, we can watch the tugs take barges up the river and watch planes come into the airport...it has become one of my favourite destinations, one I have told many people about and even though it takes a good hour to get there it has become our 'go to' place.

On our last few visits we have been treated to a wonderful sight... an Osprey diving for fish to bring to its young for food - very cool!

Its been awhile..

That title can apply to a few things in my life lately, its been awhile since I wrote a new blog and its been awhile since the sun came out to stay for longer than a day or three. Here it is May long weekend and it still feels like early spring or late winter, oh how I long for the warmth of the sun, the warm soil in my fingers, warm cement beneath my barefeet and blue skies.  This will make my heart feel lighter and my motivation to get out of the house increase.

My husband and I like to take long drives, so when the sun was once again in its liquid form I suggested that we go in search of the solid, warm bright sun.  After a quick search of road conditions and the weather forecast we headed southeast towards the Okanagan...in search of the elusive sun.  We had an ejoyable day, but the sun remained hidden for the majority of the day until we arrived in Kamloops and then it came out in time for us to enjoy a wonderful sunset.

A great ending to a good day spent with my wonderful husband...

ahhh!  Even if it was raining again before we reached home ;o)

A beautiful day...

Today we ventured to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta with our adopted parents, my aunt and uncle.  I get so excited when I go there, it is a wonderful place to take in the birds that God created - soooo many of them - I am in awe!! Seems I get to see something new each time, we go there or go anywhere for that matter; living behind the lens truly does open one's eyes to their surroundings and each time I am out and about I feel blessed for the sights I get to see.

Wood Duck - male in full colour and female beside him.  Doesn't seem right that the male duck is more colourful than the female.  When we were here in July I saw the wood duck for the first time but didn't get to see a fully coloured male, the ones I saw where in the non-breeding colour, still beautiful but not as spectacular.

Not sure what type of bird this one is... she moved gracefully through the water bobbing her head into the water and then back up again; long neck and light gray so beautiful! (not sure it was actually a female)

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwings look like little bandits with their black masks on their face. They intrigue me and I have been fortunate enough to spot them on several ocassions while walking with my camera - I had never noticed them before.... it is amazing what the camera lens will lead you to see.

Bird Sanctuary

On July 3rd, my husband and I spent the afternoon at a local bird sanctuary, I have never been so excited about the opportunity to take photos of birds. Since getting our new cameras earlier this year we have tried to take a field trip or walk at least once a week to take photos and try to become more familiar with our cameras. This week's field trip was the bird sanctuary. WOW, I can't really describe the feeling I get when I have this type of opportunity and then the excitement I feel to see those photos on my computer is kind of like waiting for Christmas morning. Taking photos of the birds and then identifying them has been a lot of fun and educational.

Here are a couple of the shots I took that day...

Tree Swallow

Sandhill Crane Family