Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Been Away Too Long Sept 18

Hey, i was lost in the desert for a few months but finally found my way out again  
Actually, I was dealing with a few health concerns this past while and didn't feel much like getting out to tell you the truth.
During that time i decided to do a deep cleanse so to speak and cut out some of the unhealthy things that were bringing me down, there a couple of issues but thankfully i have them under control and am starting to come alive again.
I never realized how much i was addicted to sugar and that's one of the things that i have had to cut back on drastically as it kind of wrecked my gut.
I wanted to get more in shape for my upcoming trip to Thailand in December as well, it's a trip i have been planing since the beginning of the year and since it will be our 10th anniversary (of our first birding trip down there) i want to get everything i can out of it and make it a really memorable trip - 9 days with a guide i know in northern Thailand should yield some new birds and good photo opportunities.

Anyways, birding has been sporadic at best this little while but there are some shots to be shared.
A few weeks ago i felt inspired to get out to the Iona waste water treatment ponds to hopefully finally vanquish the nemesis Buff-breasted Sandpiper - a species i have wanted and dipped on for years.

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I also saw a Lincoln's Sparrow while exiting the ponds and got a few shots

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After that i did walk the south jetty to the tip but it was so windy that morning i didn't attempt climbing on rocks to look for Wandering Tattlers but i did get some exercise and did get to test out my new Crumpler Karachi Outpost camera bag, it passed the comfort test pretty much.
Later at Maplewood i can across Doug and Debra shooting crossbills and it was nice to chat for a bit. I didn't shoot any great crossbill pics but did get a common bird for me - Warbling Vireo

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After that i was back to dealing with some health issues and decided to just focus on that for a few weeks but this morning i knew i had to get out shooting again since my spirits were feeling somewhat uplifted.
I had actually attempted to go after the Hastings park Green Heron a while back but chose the morning the PNE opened and everything was fenced off and inaccessible, bummer.
Since the fair was finally over and it wasn't pouring rain this morning i decided to go and see if i could find one, if they were still around.
I saw one almost immediately actually but it was pretty far away, got a few shots off the dock and watched it for about an hour until it ventured out of view behind some bushes.

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Oh, i got another Warbling Vireo at Hastings park as well

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Thanks for looking 

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The Waiting Area

The Waiting Area