JOURNAL 160 - Apr. 7-11/06

BLACK & WHITE


Due to circumstances beyond my control like the weather and the colour of some birds, much of this journal has the good old B&W feel. Do you remember when most pictures were B&W? That'll really date you if you own up to it. But, now that everything is in living colour, I guess B&W will find a niche as an art form, and I must admit to some nostalgic attachment for the good old days.

While everyone has been seeing the Mountain Bluebirds first reported by Chris Stevens at the Nanaimo Estuary, I've been stuck in the rancid herring roe beach at French Creek. It's amazing that almost a month after herring season, herring roe is still on the menu for many gulls, ducks, and crows. If you can stand the stench, French Creek is a still the best place for a little gull study or even a little flight photography.




The Common Loon is looking mighty fine these days. On a dull day it looks black and white, but when the sun is right, the handsome dark green sheen is a sight to enjoy.

Another B&W bird is the Black-bellied Plover at Admiral's Lagoon. I've only seen the occasional bird there lately. Where's the flock hiding? Maybe they've headed north and there's just a couple of stragglers around to greet the incoming Greater Yellowlegs that seem to be appearing now. My wife had only seen the winter plumage and could never understand why they were called Black-bellied. Now she knows.

Tug-o-war - Worms seemed to be the main object of affection (or is that confection?) for the BB Plover.

Yoga time - There must be a name for this particular yoga position as it is popular with many birds.

Who turned on the lights? It was a joy to see the return of the American Goldfinches. Although there are some that over-winter around here, the majority move south.

Another favorite - For the past 2 weeks my yard has been graced by the cheerful little song of the Yellow-rumped Warbler. The best place for photos is the Morningstar Ponds.


More B&W - What is spring without a few visits with the Bonies? The diminuitive black-headed Bonaparte Gulls are one of my favorites, and large numbers are in the region to enjoy the ongoing buffet of herring roe. Look closely - Bonie has an egg at the tip of its bill.

Lurking with the gulls - Almost hidden in the midst of gulls was another herring roe fan - a Northern Pintail.

Gullz ... knee deep in rancid herring roe and loving it. The smell reminds me of the good old muktuk days in Tuktoyaktuk.

Call 911! I think this Mew Gull tried to swallow a small crab but found itself on the losing end of the pinchers. After several moments of hysterics - crying, shaking, flying erratically - it finally calmed down.

It's always a challenge to get the perfect flight shot. I'm still working on it.

Deja-vu - Last year I was amazed and perplexed at one of my flight shots showing the head of the Bonie upside down. Well, here's another. It appears to be the common way to do the barrel-roll. The head turns first and the body and the rest of the bird follows.

Not bad. Good thing I have auto-focus.

That was fun. I'll have to try it again when the sun is shining.




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