Carburn Park May 19, 2024

There was so much to love about today's 13 kilometre (8 miles) wander around Carburn Park!  The highlight of this outing was having three Western Tanagers flitter about for an extended period of time almost within arms reach of where I was standing.  This experience occurred near the end of my outing but I decided to pop a frame around my favourite photo and make it a headliner!

My morning began seeing a Mom Common Goldeneye with 8 ducklings (there could have been 9).   

I kept my distance while she kept her eye on me.  

Mom Mallard with 12 duckings

Is this Bald Eagle relaxing against the tree? That's what it looks like to me!  This was near where the nest is.  I was not able to see the nest as the trees were almost fully in bloom and blocked the view. 

Swainson's Thrush

a Pelican line up

 

Next to the Pelican line up was a Double-crested Cormorant line up where one of the Cormorants did not look like the others.  I made an assumption at the time that the Cormorant on the right was probably a young one.

On closer inspection and checking my app, the one on the right is a Juvenile Cormorant.

Clay-colored Sparrow

Common Grackle

another Western Tanager

The Lagoon at Carburn Park was a happening place with birders this morning.  A few times as I passed by, I saw the birders focused on something, then all of a sudden with gigantic cameras and tripods in tow they were all racing to the other side of the Lagoon.  A little while later I saw them race back again to the far side and then back to this side.  Finally I gave in and headed close to see what all the fuss was about.  Well, here you go!  A male Surf Scoter! Seeing this was a "lifer" for me!  

Yellow-rumped Warbler

As I stated at the start of this post, there was much to love about today!  It was time to leave birding behind for today and make my way home. Just before crossing the bridge to the parking lot, there was a tiff going on between the Tree Swallows.  When I looked up, I saw this Tree Swallow looking out of the hole in the tree,  Do you notice what I noticed? The hole is in the shape of a heart!  The shape is more defined when the Swallow's head is not in the way.  Seeing this was my affirmation that yes.....

.....there was so much to love about today!

💗💗💗💗💗