Robin's Robins and Things

Pretty Boy

2012-01-30T10:43:00.000-08:00

A
very pretty
Bufflehead.
The smallest duck of the bunch.
They are very shy.
I played up and down
the trail with this guy, hiding behind trees,
until he finally let me shoot him
through a clear spot on the trail.
The angle of the light
really brings out his
irridescent head.
At most angles it just appears to be black.
Click the image to look close.

Gnarly

2012-01-29T10:39:00.001-08:00

A
gnarly
old tree along the trail

I See You

2012-01-28T10:52:00.000-08:00

A
Golden-crowned Sparrow
resplendent
in it's winter colours!

One For "T"

2012-01-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

I
have gotten
to where every time
I shoot an Eagle,
I think of Theresa in Texas!
Here's one for you,
posed nicely in the sun for me this morning!

Last in the series

2012-01-26T11:29:00.000-08:00

Here's
the last in the series!
No acrobatics today.
Just a pretty little duck.
I like the
way the
water
beads on it's back!

The Wave

2012-01-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

Continuing
on a theme,
shortly after the previous shot,
this happened.
Click on the image!
It's kind of neat close up.

A Wing Stretch

2012-01-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

A
Long-tailed Duck
having a little wing stretch.
A not so common sighting at a common place.
Just off the busy pier at White Rock, B.C.
This was also a life sighting for me
and I was very pleased to see it, once I got home and identified what it was!

Today is World Bird Wednesday
Be sure to drop on over. The world list is growing
and Springman has some great shots of a hawk today!

His Opinion

2012-01-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

Eared Grebe.

It was busy

fishing,

close by the pier.

The white cloud

in the lower right

is the Grebe's opinion of being photographed!

Click on the image for a larger view.

Bigger is better!

Birds on a Wire

2012-01-22T11:06:00.000-08:00

Pigeons
on
the power lines!
Reminded me of
the PBS commercial!

In the Bamboo

2012-01-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

Surf Scoter

2012-01-20T11:59:00.001-08:00

Another
odd one
is
the Surf Scoter.

Lunch

2012-01-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

An
almost adult
Herring Gull
enjoys a lunch of
clam, served on a board!
This guy looks like it's aging
from the back forward. Still showing it's
juvenile colours around it's head.
Don't cha love it's pink socks!

New Layout

2012-01-18T10:55:00.000-08:00

A change of layout, starting today. In this layout, my blog lists and followers are listed on the profile page.

Hope I don't scare anybody away!

My main aim on this blog is to show my images. In doing so I would like to have the largest image possible. This means moving side bars to another page. I also like the clean look of this layout.

To view the profile just click on my name at the bottom of each shot.

Hope you enjoy the change!

Silver Dawn & Progressor

2012-01-18T10:22:00.000-08:00

Fish Boats

tied up

to the

Cannery dock.

White-winged Scoter

2012-01-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

bit of an odd

one

today.

A Sea Diving Duck.

They spend their lives on saltwater.

But do in fact nest on land often far from the water!

Click on the image for a large view.

Bigger is better!

It's World Bird Wednesday!

Drop on over, there's some great photos from around the world!

Springman's images are grand!

Gnarly

2012-01-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

Normally

dark foreboding tree.

Add a little snow

and

you have

a dark foreboding tree

with snow!

Hey, It's Monday!

Dive

2012-01-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

Just

when

you think

you have a good shot

of a Surf Scooter!

Sea Worthy?

2012-01-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday

I went

exploring along the coast.

Seaside photos for the next while!

Looking at this older

fishing boat,

I was hoping that

the life boat only needed a paint job!

Pine Sisken

2012-01-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

Such

pretty little

bird!

Rather plain,

but with

a wonderful flash of yellow

when it flies!

Beauty

2012-01-11T11:26:00.000-08:00

The

beauty

an ordinary

House Sparrow!

Click on the image for a larger image

Bigger is better!

Demure

2012-01-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

Following

Springmans

Brown theme:

Here's a Red-winged Blackbird hen.

Not as dashing as her mate, she is non-the-less

a very pretty lady!

Blackberry leaves stay green

year round, around here. So there is a small

degree of relief from brown!

It's World Bird Wednesday.

Drop on over and say hello to the folks!

January Colour

2012-01-09T11:32:00.000-08:00

Here's

todays

splash

January colour!

Colour

2012-01-08T11:55:00.000-08:00

was is desperate need

of some colour, this morning.

Here it is:

a raindrop on one of B's Dahlia's

Snowies Five

2012-01-07T11:04:00.001-08:00

kind of

liked the

symmetry of

these Snow geese.

Artsy Friday

2012-01-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

Mallard hen.

Effects courtesy of

Topaz B&W.

Scratch

2012-01-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Mallard

hen

takes a moment

to address an itch!

Up Close With GBH

2012-01-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

Meet

my old friend

the Great Blue Heron.

They are quite common

around these parts and can

be seen almost everywhere one goes.

I can't

help stopping

and taking a shot and saying Hi!

Spotted Towhee

2012-01-03T11:28:00.000-08:00

The

Towhees

in our backyard

are very shy birds,

keeping to the undergrowth

where they scratch around for a living.

the bird sanctuary

they are quite different.

Not so shy and willing sometimes

to stop for a pose!

It's the first World Bird Wednesday

of the year!

Be sure to drop by and say Hi!

Tenuous Steps

2012-01-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

Walking

Ice

requires certain

postures,

in order

to keep your

posterior

from making

contact!

2011-12-31T11:08:00.000-08:00

Happy

New

Year

to all!

Standing Guard

2011-12-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

Gull

keeps vigil

over it's

perceived territory.

In The Berries

2011-12-29T10:10:00.001-08:00

A
squirrel
enjoys
the bounty of the Hawthorne tree.
I think it's all set
for the winter!

Daydreaming

2011-12-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

Lost

thought,

checking

for bad guys?

Lost

2011-12-27T10:40:00.000-08:00

Here's

first winter

Snow Goose.

It was hanging about

with a bunch of ducks,

far from it's flock.

I fear it may be injured and I hope it is able to recover!

It's World Bird Wednesday.

Drop on by and say hello.

Springman's photos are super special this week!

Ducks Galore

2011-12-26T11:27:00.000-08:00

little

boy

and his Ducks!

Actually, a grandson

and a bag of seed!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

Three on Friday

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

Three

Mallards,

standing in a puddle

on the ice.

I like the way the reflection

changes from the water to the ice!

Frosty Moss

2011-12-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

a part

of the country

that's ill equipped for snow,

I'm

hopping that this is the only

white Christmas that we see!

Snowy Owls

2011-12-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

I have been saving

these two Snowies

for a day when I didn't

have anything new!

These guys are only a couple of weeks old.

These guys were

definitely

a highlight of my birding, lately.

Today is

World Bird Wednesday

Be sure to drop over and say hello to some of the people linking there.

Springman's photos are of course, exceptional!

Black Water Gull

2011-12-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

The

largest of the

West Coast gulls,

the Herring gull

can usually be found,

almost everywhere.

They have a voracious hunger

and will eat about anything.

Here they were gathering to eat Salmon carcasses.

Yum!

Ricki 2000 - 2011

2011-12-15T18:21:00.000-08:00

This

post is dedicated to my best boy

Ricki,

who we

had to put down this afternoon!

I will miss him so much!

Frosty

2011-12-15T10:20:00.000-08:00

I've

never seen

frost like this.

This is a fairly close shot and

the leaves are only about the size of a thumb nail.

Click on the image
for a closer
view!

Fish

2011-12-14T10:33:00.000-08:00

our travels,

the other day,

we came across this spawning channel.

We walked the length of it

and

the fish were as thick all the way along!

How exciting to see this event in nature!

These are Salmon, but I couldn't tell you what kind.

On Ice

2011-12-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

We went out

hunting for Eagles yesterday.

We found some, but also found lots

of these Trumpeter Swans!

A vast flock was on a farmers field mixed with ducks and geese.

The largest flock of Swans I have seen.

Another group was on a small river nearby.

The edges of the river were frozen over. All along the ice,

was evidence of feathers, etc from where the big flock

had been spending the night. Safe from predators!

A sight to behold! I do like Swans.

It's World Bird Wednesday

Drop on over and have a look. Springman's photos

are exquisite today (as always!)

There's also quite a few birds from around the world, already posted!

Eagle in flight

2011-12-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Today,

we went looking for Eagles.

Found a few,

but nothing to what I was expecting.

But a beautiful winter day, sunshine,

birds, and the company of my daughter,

made it a special day!

And Banana Cream pie!

My day was complete!

Seed Head

2011-12-11T10:45:00.001-08:00

Queen Ann's

Lace

flower head

continues

enlightening

our lives

with it's grace and beauty

Curious

2011-12-10T10:45:00.001-08:00

Here's

another

my favourite

friends!

A Fox Sparrow

Here to There

2011-12-09T10:33:00.001-08:00

That's

what

this

Great Blue Heron

was doing.

It only

flew for about

100 feet.

Just like moving

down the buffet,

I guess!

A Super treat

2011-12-08T13:14:00.001-08:00

I heard

recently of

Snowy Owl sightings

at this particular location.

I went there this morning

and received a huge treat in the

form of 22 Snowy Owls

I haven't seen a Snowy

for years!

Here's one!

I'm very pleased

Country Church

2011-12-07T09:52:00.001-08:00

From

the

snow topped

mountains

to the river below

Over Here

2011-12-06T10:48:00.001-08:00

While

strolling

the trails the other day,

I saw a flash of white.

Intrigued I zoomed in

and there was this fellow

begging to have his picture taken.

So I took it!

It's

World Bird Wednesday!

Drop on over and

have a look.

You won't be sorry!

Thistles

2011-12-05T10:34:00.001-08:00

Even

in the

Autumn

of their lives,

these thistles

are beautiful.

Gone is the purple crown

and vibrant green,

but it's browns shine strong..

Remember, bigger is better.
click the image

Against the Cold

2011-12-04T10:48:00.001-08:00

House Sparrow

all

fluffed up

against the cold

Mute Swan

2011-12-03T09:54:00.001-08:00

Mute Swan

swimming in the

Fraser River

near the Westham Island bridge.

There's a pair of them. They are usually in that spot.

I wonder where they came from.

Mute Swan's are not native to Canada.

Namesake

2011-12-02T15:28:00.001-08:00

Time

for

namesake

photo!

Haven't seen one of these guys

for awhile.

this one was gobbling up

the berries!
Click image
for bigger.
Bigger's better!

Grazing

2011-12-01T10:14:00.001-08:00

small herd

of sheep,

graze in the

afternoon sun

Apples

2011-11-30T10:33:00.001-08:00

Gnarly old

Apple Tree

Still producing fruit

Resting

2011-11-29T09:58:00.001-08:00

Mallard hen

puts her bill under

her wing and enjoys

a few moments in the sun.

I was really taken with this shot for some reason.

The smoothness of the water.

the reflection, the small flash of purple.

Now you can enjoy bird pics from around the world.

It's World Bird Wednesday.

Drop on over and have a look!

Moody Skies

2011-11-28T14:46:00.001-08:00

Moody

skies

this morning

changed into

sunny skies this afternoon.

A treat after

the past week of rain!

Golden-Crowned Sparrow

2011-11-26T15:51:00.001-08:00

little

visitor

to our garden.

I so like these little guys!

They make my day

Friday Barn

2011-11-25T14:50:00.001-08:00

Here's

another

barn for the collection.

Never thought I'd have so much fun

shooting old barns!

Dispute

2011-11-24T11:31:00.001-08:00

There

was

big splashing

going on the other day.

I think somebody

got too familiar with somebody

else's girl!

I think there was even a little feather pulling!

But nobody was really hurt!

Distant Geese

2011-11-23T10:29:00.001-08:00

shot

of one of my

favorite places.

The bird sanctuary!

Hooded Merganser

2011-11-22T15:24:00.001-08:00

Here's

pretty little

Hooded Merganser hen!

I love her hairdo!

I thinks she's a bit of a loaner.

I never did see any other of her Ilk.

But she didn't seem to mind!

Today

World-bird-Wednesday

Be sure to drop on over

and have a look at all the

great bird photos!

Click on the image for a bigger view!
Bigger is better!

Take Two

2011-11-21T10:29:00.001-08:00

Here's

a new take

on an older photo.

I've just acquired a

Topaz Labs plug in package

for my Photoshop.

Some of the effects are quite interesting.

Great app!
Click on the image for a closer view.
Closer is better!

Frosted Leaves

2011-11-20T10:43:00.001-08:00

It's not a new cookie!

Along the edge of the Fraser River

there is a long long row of

iced over leaves.

The Fraser River is tidal.

When the tide goes down, it leaves the leaves

high and dry.

In the shade they frost over quickly

leaving wonderful patterns on the leaves.

With that, I'll leave!
Click the image to enlarge.
Bigger is better

More Snow

2011-11-19T10:09:00.001-08:00

Here's

another

snow shot.

I hope it's the last,

for awhile.

As much as it makes life

somewhat difficult,

it does make for interesting photos!
Click on the image to make it larger.
Larger is better!

Snow

2011-11-18T10:25:00.001-08:00

Our

first snow of the year.

I snowed a bit the day before

but yesterday

it got a bit more serious!

This shot was taken at midnight!

Barn in the Vineyard

2011-11-17T11:00:00.001-08:00

local

Vineyard!

Township Seven

Dark-eyed Junco

2011-11-16T10:23:00.001-08:00

Deep

the

colours

of Fall!

World Bird Wednesday

2011-11-15T10:19:00.001-08:00

Here's a bird

listed in my book as being

uncommon to rare.
It's a Northern Shrike.

This rare bird, I captured last week,

is dedicated to Springman at the Pine River Review.

He too, is a rare bird!

And that's a good thing.

It's his first anniversary of Wild Bird Wednesday.

I have enjoyed being a contributor to this weekly event for a while now,

and especially to Springman's prose and photos,

as both are rare indeed!

Drop on over and have a look around.

People from

122 countries contribute at one time or another.

It's definitely worth a look!

Cheers, Springman!

Cow Barn & Silo

2011-11-14T10:10:00.001-08:00

Over on

the

Chilliwack prairie

stands this

great cow barn and silos

Complete with cows,

if you look close

Northern Shoveler

2011-11-13T10:42:00.001-08:00

It seems

that the

Northern Shoveler,

doesn't like people to much.

They are quite elusive and usually

have their heads in the water.

This is why I was happy to

capture

this lovely lady, near by,

with her head up!

That's quite a bill, isn't it!

North Slough

2011-11-12T10:43:00.001-08:00

the North side

of the slough,

the colours aren't as advanced

as other spots,

but beautiful all the same!

Up the Trail

2011-11-11T10:54:00.001-08:00

Up this trail

and

to the west..

Northern Pintail

2011-11-10T09:52:00.001-08:00

One of

the prettier

ducks on the pond,

the Northern Pintail.

I love the splash of

colour on his sides.

Misty Mountian

2011-11-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

The

Mountains

reach up

caress

the Sky

Spotted Towhee

2011-11-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

Closely related

to the Eastern Towhee,

I think our Spotted Towhee

has a little more panache!

These guys are basically ground feeders

but will venture onto a bird feeder too!

They are quite shy and elusive for the most part.

It's Wild Bird Wednesday

Be sure to link over and have a look

at bird photos from around the world!

Say Hi to the folks if you please.

They are a great group.

On the Golden Pond

2011-11-07T09:41:00.000-08:00

On a

Golden

Pond,

this Duck

did

swim upon!

A Eurasian Wigeon hen.

I love the way the water turned out in this shot!

The Woods

2011-11-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

A pair of

Wood Ducks

These two were up on a feeder

six feet off the ground

quite enjoying the treats found there!

Wondrous Autumn

2011-11-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

I was out

today

enjoying the colours

of Autumn on

a frosty morning.

My senses

are

in overload!

I'm lovin' it!
Click on the image
for a bigger view.
Bigger is better!

Golden Ears along the Fraser

2011-11-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

Rivers amaze me.

This one is a major one

It flows through

most of British Columbia.

Through the Clouds

2011-11-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

For centuries

man has been drawn

to the moon.

I can understand that.

I'm drawn to it.

Maybe it's the

lunatic fringe!

Flicker

2011-11-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Driving along the road

in one of Washington's State Parks,

I spied

this wonderful Flicker, sitting close to the road.

The whole area was a No Stopping zone.

Checking quickly for Rangers

I opened the car window and

took a couple of shots.

By far my best Flicker!

Today's World Bird Wednesday

Drop by and see Springman's wonderful shots

and those of photographers across the world!

Now is that not amazing!

To see photos of birds from around the world!

Reflections

2011-10-31T10:06:00.001-07:00

solitary

Yellowlegs

wades

among

the reflections

Capillano River

2011-10-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

The Capillano River

North Vancouver,

showing some Autumn colour

New Bridge

2011-10-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

new

Port Mann Bridge

takes shape

alongside

the

Old Port Man Bridge.

How things change, over the years!

Clouds

2011-10-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

The clouds

come

marching in.

Ready for their turn

in the sky.

Joining hands

they will soon

dominate the blue

Capillano River

2011-10-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Capillano

how she flows.

Ever moving,

sometimes gentle as a Lamb,

and then raging like a bull.

Like me she enjoys

the Fall colours best.

At every bend a new treat for the eyes

A Different Angle

2011-10-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

These two were having

serious set to.

Chasing

each other around the pond.

I think I heard her yelling,

"Not Tonight!"

Babies Face

2011-10-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

Here's

an up close

and personal

shot of

this years

juvenile Sandhill Crane!

I saw it as an egg, and followed its

rapid growth over the summer.

The only thing that makes it different

than Mum & Dad

is that it has yet to get it's full

colour on it's head.

It's World Bird Wednesday

Drop by and have a look

you might be surprised.

by the quality of the bird photos from around the world

Stream

2011-10-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

To sit

the

babbling brook.

To let the sight and sound

carry

you away

to exotic places.

Maybe you're already there!

Dew

2011-10-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Dew on the Maples

Deep in the Corn

2011-10-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

This

it the first time

I have stood

in the middle of a corn field.

I felt I had to swim up to get air!

Cedar Waxwing

2011-10-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

juvenile

Cedar Waxwing

sitting in a

Hawthorn tree.

These guys really like the

berries on the Hawthorn.

A Horse of Course

2011-10-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

A Corn Stalk Horse

A rare breed, indeed!

I love it's mane!

Barn & Sky

2011-10-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

This morning

we had the pleasure

of my Grandsons Pre-school class

on a view to the Pumpkin Patch

on a field trip

The sky was gorgeous!

Smell the Flowers

2011-10-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

Good advice,

from a Greater Yellowlegs.

One has to take the time

to smell the flowers!

Be sure to drop on over

World Bird Wednesday

and have a look at all the wonderful

photos from Springman.

Superb Kingfisher shots

and a stupendous Great Blue Heron,

then go to the links and check our

birds from around the world!

Dowitchers

2011-10-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Looking

into the light

A pair of

Dowitchers

stop for a heartbeat,

from their never ending

search for food

Steeped in Mystery

2011-10-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

A totem in the forest

appeases whichever sprits

it was means to apprease!

I missed a day yesterday. My daughter Sarah and I attended the Abbotsford Photo Arts Club annual seminar!

Another hugely successful day, albeit long, (08:30 to 21:00)

but great non the less.

My thanks to all the members of this club for their efforts in pulling this huge event off!

While there, I won a door prize, consisting

of a Sony Alpha NEX 5N camera!

Wow, what a door prize.

Thanks Sony for it's donation to the cause!
And thanks again to APAC!
I look forward to next years meeting!