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Thursday, 17 September 2015

Baird's Sandpiper




The top three shots were taken on August 25, the first on the beach and the next two in one of the ponds near Matthew's Lake. The last shot was taken on the beach on August 27. This was probably the most co-operative individual Baird's I've found to date, assuming it's the same bird in all the photos.  Likely a juvenile.

Sunday, 13 September 2015

Peeps

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper
The smallest of our sandpipers are collectively known as peeps. One can guess that the name derives from the calls they give, most often in flight. These shots were taken at Matthew's Lake on August 25.

Black-bellied Plovers



Some Black-bellied Plover shots from August 24 at Matthew's Lake.

Saturday, 5 September 2015

Yellowlegs


These are from August 24 at Matthew's Lake. The top bird is a Lesser Yellowlegs. I don't remember actually trying for a flight shot, I think the bird just flew into my focus point as I clicked the shutter. The Greater Yellowlegs in the bottom photo was being very vocal as they often are. They tend to make the birds around them more jumpy. It can make the bird you're actually trying to get close to more difficult.

Short-billed Dowitchers


The top shot is from August 24, the bottom one from August 30 at the same location near Matthew's Lake. There are still lots of these birds around but the numbers should start thinning out in the next few weeks as they continue to head south.

Friday, 4 September 2015

Gadwall


August 24 Mathew's Lake area. I counted as many as 13 Gadwall in the one pond, possibly from a single brood.

Stilt Sandpipers




These shots were taken a week apart at the same location near Mathew's Lake. August 23 and 30 respectively. The bottom photo was from late in the day when the light was fading and the bird was walking toward the setting sun. There were at least two individuals on the 30th and as many as three birds on one occasion. This could be the same bird in both shots but I can't be certain.