I really need a better/longer lens. I think its time to sell my car.
Some more crappy photos from yesterdays Boundary Bay and Reifel session...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6...c9e00b5177.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6...c54690d51c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6...c7c93e3554.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6...3b075b5c9a.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6...15567a9cc0.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6...8c53be748b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6...fdd5912f35.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6...665b99a740.jpg

The bird with the lump in its chest/throat area... what type of bird is that? Some type of Hawk or possibly a Harrier but I cannot tell. Looks more like a hawk to me.

Two from a few days ago and one from this morning.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6...06043dcb22.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6...20015a321c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6...9319c5ba74.jpg

Nobody at Boundary Bay today other then the regular dog walkers and horse back riders.

How long of a lens are you using for those pictures?

Great great pictures Euro!

A quick preview from mine:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6...7fea81b1_b.jpg

nice birds!

still didn't get an answer on why Mike links the small pics here?

I'm heading out to Boundary Bay tomorrow morning...anyone want to go?

Sorry, missed it. Smaller resolution seems nicer to me. Probably because you can't clearly see how crappy the image quality is, hah. Other then that I don't really have a reason. Just easier to click under the share button on flickr and copy/paste I guess.

If its going to be sunny or overcast, I'll be there. Gotta get some exercise :p Look for a silly kid with the worst camera lens ever! If weather still good throughout the day I'll go to Reifel as well and maybe Deas Island after that on my way home.

Shit, i was thinking about heading upto Brackendale, and the area to check out the eagles. Hmm, what should i do?

Anyone heard anything about eagles up there these days? And secret locations you can share? Info is good thanks :D

All of my secret locations are in my iPhone's GPS. I've never had much luck in Brackendale.

The Snowy Owls must be suffering due to the recent warm weather. I hope they're not being bothered too much by photographers.

i'm off on a BCNH adventure. awesome birds, so odd looking, but they like hiding!

BCNH?

I'll be at Boundary Bay around 10:30.
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Black Crowned Night Heron? At Reifel, near the entrance?

Snowies are much further away.
People scaring them off. Stay on the trail!!!!
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There's one sitting right by the dyke right now.
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Did you see what one of the hunters shot down? I couldn't get a good look but it seemed to have a long neck or long legs.
I think I got two decent pictures out of like 80 lol. I want long lens :(

damn, i was there all morning and headed over to Reifel. the hunters shot some Pintails.

and yes, Black Crowned Night Herons...me want!

^
I was there since 9am then left at noon to go to Reifel but made a stop at home to eat some lunch and got lazy after that lol.

My crap photos for today.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6...2133f709cf.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6...0e8c49561b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6...f502b36fb1.jpg

The weather is suppose to be good for the weekend so if this is true, I'll be at Boundary then Reifel after that.
:thumbs:

did anybody see the GH owl at Reifel? could not get a steady shot of him! piss me off. a big bird too!

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-...11/12/owl2.jpg

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-...11/12/owl1.jpg

and yeah, the Snowy Owls were up close again. i bet Senna got some beauties with the 500mm.

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-...12/snowowl.jpg

Mike, you would be DEADLY with a larger lens!


some of the usual suspects:

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-.../12/eagleb.jpg

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-...12/harrier.jpg

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-...1/12/heron.jpg

http://www.epicdevelopements.com/wp-.../12/eaglea.jpg

Never use flash when shooting owls! Their eyes are very sensitive as they are nocturnal...You don't want to harm their ability to hunt at night.

It's sunny out here at Boundary Bay and it's high tide! Will report later as to where any owls are.
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Jason, you can suggest to me not to do that, but using exclamation marks and telling me not to not necessary.

Didn't get to go to Brackendale yesterday, anyone game for Saturday? Should be nice!

I was just trying to get a point across...I wasn't being (or trying to be) belligerent. Why should I not tell you to not use flash? I was told not to use flash by a Canadian Wildlife Services Officer after I did so myself a few years ago, so I thought I'd tell you too. I just thought that if you wanted to be taken seriously by other serious birders out in the field and not ostrasize yourself in front of them you needed to know... Didn't think your feeling would get hurt so easily. Sorry...

Great lighting conditions here at Boundary Bay! The snowy owls are sitting about 50 feet from the dyke....get here fast before the light disappears! No sign of the short ears though.
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Couldn't sleep much, I was bored and eager to get outside for some fresh air so I grabbed my crap equipment and left the house early morning.

Went to Deas Island and got...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6...c7bf1f918f.jpg

The bird flew away towards the sun so I couldn't snap an in flight photo.
Then went to Boundary Bay and saw...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6...e0754a8f0c.jpg

Wish this one was in focus.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6...14f3918f24.jpg

Taking a bath? :p
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6...305aed1465.jpg

So bright outside.
Wanted to go to Reifel but I had to leave Boundary at 11:30am to drive my sister to the airport.
Going to do it all over again tomorrow but head to Reifel after Boundary
:thumbs:

Senna,your statement did not "hurt" my feelings, its just not necessary to get emotional. obviously when there's exclamation marks, that's what i think.

i'm a big boy and although relatively new to this, i do realize the potential risks, and deemed them low for the time and place of the shoot.

i've heard the debate on other websites, and therefore its not something i did without thought.

we have a guy on our website who is a professional wildlife photographer, who is actually in South America right now doing his exotic bird thing. i plan to pick his brain about it when he gets back. he teaches bird photography techniques, including multiple flash set ups, etc. i'm quite interested in his thoughts about it.

here's a thread he posted to prove he has no problems with using lighting with an owl:
http://www.canadian-photographer.ca/...ad.php?t=16138


the Wild Life Officers,meh, you know are going to tell you something that is strictly by the book, so i'm going to have to take that with a grain of salt.

i guess, if anything, i'm surprised you would think i would harm a bird.