Tag Archives: waterfowl

Return to Baskett!

02 Monday Jul 2012

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Anyone who knows me well would probably guess that I can only go so long before I take some bird photos.

Well recently the urge to photograph some feathers struck and I returned to a favorite haunt of mine, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge.

Let’s just say that overall, early summer is not the best season for bird photography at Baskett. Baskett is primarily a wintering spot for migratory waterfowl and the amount of impressive birds there in the summer is definitely less than the rest of the year. However, I was treated to some unique opportunities with Great Blue Herons. Even more fun was the appearance of a mother Gadwall with her chicks. I’ll admit that at first I thought they were Mallards, but when mom flexed her wings and the speculum became apparent there was no question.

Just another day in my long relationship with marsh ducks.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

14 Tuesday Feb 2012

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Link to Gallery Here

Can you believe it? Here I am writing about another urban location. I did mention that Vancouver, BC is a pretty special city, correct?

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary  is a local bird sanctuary on Westham Island in the Fraser River delta. Technically, it’s not actually in Vancouver, it’s so close though that you should definitely include it in any visit to Vancouver, at least if you’re into or think you might like to try bird photography.

This is another location where folks feed waterfowl. I’ve previously mentioned that I have mixed emotions about this, but I definitely feel ok with using a situation like this to make images. Also, I believe that only grain has been used to feed the ducks, I saw no evidence they were ever fed bread or other potentially unhealthful foods. So the debate comes down to behavior alteration. The debate isn’t really my topic here, but I do firmly believe this isn’t as black and white as many portray.

Anyhow, this is a location ripe with photo opportunities. There are ducks, eagles, owls, herons, etc. all around and usually close. The one downside is the hours are kind of short for photographers’ purposes. I know that I for one did not photograph all the subjects I would’ve liked, due to time constraints.

I suggest you check it out.