There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Thursday, March 31, 2011

Martindale Flats


Located in Central Saanich, just off the Pat Bay Highway by Michell's Market, this farming region is a great place for birdwatching. Earlier this year, Tundra and Trumpeter Swans were regularly seen in the fields along Island View Road. I've photographed birds of prey there: an immature Bald Eagle and a Cooper's Hawk. I've seen Mourning Doves and Belted Kingfisher on Dooley Road and singing Meadowlark on Lochside Drive. It is almost always mentioned in the weekly Rare Bird Alert Transcript. In fact, I'm hoping the rain holds off this weekend as some good birds have been reported in the area recently.


Belted Kingfisher

Cooper's Hawk








 

Immature Bald Eagle in flight
Posted by at
Labels:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)