Fall 2015

Sep. 12

Iona

Had never looked at a clean Western Sandpiper so closely before. It took me four years to realize that they have some little webs on their feet! If this bird was not standing on a rock lower than me, I'd probably miss this field mark for another four years.

Western Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper

Sep. 27

Kirkstone Park

Moon

Needless to say, the moon usually is not red. This photo, however, shows a celestial event called lunar eclipse or blood moon. The moon gained its red hue when it is directly in the Earth's shadow. In 2014 and 2015, a total of 4 lunar eclipse occurred, but I was only able to observe the last one because the sky over Vancouver was overcast during the previous 3 lunar eclipse nights, nothing unexpected. Another thing special about the night is that in 2015, the moon was closest to Earth on September 27, this combination will not occur again until 2033.

Lunar Eclipse

Oct. 3

Maplewood

As I do every month, I birded at the ebird hot spot. The most uncommon visitor is a White-throated Sparrow. White-throated sparrows have been reported all over metro Vancouver this fall.

White-throated Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill

Dark-eyed Junco

I believe this was a slate-coloured subspecies

Dark-eyed Junco

Oct. 24

Mt. Baker

American Dipper

On a day trip to Mt. Baker of Washington State, this American Dipper was singing by an alpine lake, even though it looks like a young bird. I managed to snap a few photos of it through branches of a tree before it went on its swim in the lake.

 Oct. 25
Jericho

Canada Goose

This individual has a distinct white collar around its neck. It was about the size of a Cackling, associated with the Cacklings around, but was often left out of groups. It might be an Aleutian subspecies or at least have more related the Aleutian ones than other Canada Geese at Jericho.

Belted Kingfisher

at its usual spot at the pond

Belted Kingfisher

Cooper's Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

a close look at the juvenile

Ring-billed Gull