Sooke, British Columbia, Canada: Fall 2000 - 2003
Black Oystercatcher: September 29, 2000. These birds are year-long residents in the Sooke region and can be seen regularly at Whiffin Spit. Note – all photographs taken in 2000 up to December 15 use the Bushell Spacemaster /CP 700 combo but without an adapter. Photographs had to be severely cropped yet the effects of vignetting are still visible. The adapter was used with this combo from December 2000 to December 2003 reducing the vignetting problem although it’s still evident.
Heermann's Gull: September 29 2000. Heermann's Gull, photographed at Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC. This is a non-breeding adult, shown by the red bill and the mottled head plumage. Heerman Gulls breed on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula and migrate north as far as southern Vancouver Island in late summer and early fall. It’s a most beautiful bird.
Gulls: October 06 2001. Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC. California Gull (foreground) and two Thayer’s Gulls (rear), illustrate the difficulties in gull identification. Fortunately an expert was present. Features are; black primaries (both), similar sizes, yellowish/green legs (California) vs. pink legs (Thayer’s). Unfortunately, the bill and head features, required for positive photo identification, are hidden. California’s are common late summer through early fall but largely disappear thereafter. Thayer’s, high arctic breeders, are quite common in the winter.
American Golden Plover: October 06 2001. The next two photos show uncommon shore birds on Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC. This is an American Golden Plover. It’s probably a juvenile. Note the dark cap, long wings projecting beyond the tail, grey bars on the chest, and grey belly. The stubble is Sea Asparagus (edible in season).
Pectoral Sandpiper: October 06 2001. Pectoral Sandpiper, Whiffin Spit Sooke BC. The plumage suggests a juvenile. Locals collect the Bull Kelp, Sea Lettuce, and Eel Grass which washes up on shore this time of year. It makes excellent fertilizer, supplying trace elements for gardens.
Short-billed Dowitcher: October 10 2000. Short-billed Dowitcher., Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC. It’s probably a juvenile. Dowitchers are common spring/fall migrants.
Steller’s Jay: October 11 2003. Steller’s Jay, at home, Sooke BC. I had planted large sunflowers hoping to provide feed over the winter but jays consumed all the seeds in two days.
American Dipper: October 12 2000. An American Dipper looks for scraps in a broodstock collection cage operated by the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society. Look carefully and you will see the jaws of a huge Chinook (King) Salmon, bottom centre.
Greater White-fronted Goose: Date unknown. Every fall and winter a small flock of Greater White-fronted Geese joins hundreds of Canada Geese at the John Philips Memorial Golf Course, Sooke BC.
Great Blue Heron: October 21 2003. This Great Blue Heron, photographed at Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC is evocative of an ancient Velocoraptor. Bushnell Spacemaster/CP4500 combo; no adapter.
California Gull: October 24 2003. A California Gull soaks up the fall sun in a field along the Sooke River, BC. In the background, fallen Bigleaf Maple leaves. Bushnell Spacemaster/CP4500 combo; no adapter.
Snow Goose: October 24 2003. A pair of Snow Geese at John Martin’s farm along the Sooke River, BC. Snow Geese are very rare visitors in fall and winter. Bushnell Spacemaster/CP4500 combo; no adapter.
Sharp-shinned Hawk: November 01 2001. The light from a setting sun reflect from the eyes of a fearsome-looking Sharp-shinned Hawk, at home, Sooke BC.
Glaucous-winged Gull: November 07 2001. A Glaucous-winged Gull feeds on the carcass of a spent Chum Salmon at Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC.
Common Merganser: November 07 2001. A trio of Common Mergansers fatten up on the carcasses and eggs of salmon along the Sooke River BC.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee: November 08 2001. A sprightly Chestnut-backed Chickadee raids the feeder at home, Sooke BC. Sooke has only one species of chickadee.
Red-tailed Hawk: November 24 2003. This Red-tailed Hawk is a permanent fall/winter resident of Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC.
Barred Owl: December 31 2000. Barred Owls are common in the Sooke region. This one was photographed on a drizzly day at the Reifel Wildlife Refuge, Ladner BC.
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