Bohemian Waxwing

I guess for me, being outside often and aware of the birds, the Christmas Bird Count is not a surprise when it comes around again. On Saturday, December 17, 2022, the 47th annual Christmas Bird Count will be taking place in the Bow Valley. Just pop over to “bowvalleynaturalists.org” for more information and how you can participate in keeping tracks of our feathered friends. We have these annual counts occurring across the country and in many other parts of the world. They give us a great sense of what is happening with the bird population. 

Not all participants have to be experts. Just look at me, I have been fooling them all these years with my so called understanding of birds. Except when I mentioned I had spotted a pink flamingo, I learned it does not count when the birds are made of plastic and in the backyard of a house. Anyway, with warm attire and some chocolates, it’s a great way to connect with other birders and enjoy a potluck dinner in the evening. That’s right, potluck dinner is back again. Where after great food and stories, we get to practise our additions.

Bohemian Waxwing

There are three species of waxwings in the world, lucky us, we get to see two of them. Cedar Waxwing and, more so during the fall and winter, the Bohemian Waxwing. They love fruits, no matter if it’s in your backyard or in the wild. During fall and winter, the Bohemian Waxwings will find it, if it’s out there. As for their name; “bohemian” describes their wandering ways in search of food. The availability of which might change from year to year. They have red waxy wing tips and yellow on other wings, it’s the reason they are called waxwings. Waxy tips are a result of their diet, carotenoid pigments found in the fruit waxwings eat. From my firsthand experience of eating lots of fruits, this does not work on humans. Unless it ends up in our ears? In case you’re wondering, we don’t. 

The waxwings in the picture were five of a 250 plus strong ear-full, a group of waxwing is called “ear-full” and a “museum” of waxwings. I found them enjoying juniper berries, as well as some kinnikinnick berries. All while being harassed by two brave Townend’s Solitaires.  With a kilometer and half left for my hike one afternoon, I came across them on a south facing section of the trail. With little to no snow, the fruits were exposed for the waxwing to consume. Spent over half an hour surrounded by them and their high-pitched trills. 

Bohemian Waxwing

It's that time the year again, Christmas Bird Count, the 115th edition. The date will vary within few weeks in and around Christmas Day, depending on your area. Here in the Bow Valley it will be Saturday, December the 20th. No matter where you are, all are welcomed, it's a great way to spend some time outside to see what common birds are around and being surprised when spotting uncommon species for this time of the year. Just one way  to see how our bird friends are doing. Check the net for your local birders organization.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bohemian Waxwing

The waxwings were bust eating and I was busy taking their pictures. Turning out to be an annual event, always excited to see them and take their pictures. They are a beautiful bird to watch and photograph. Having taken pictures of them before, I know I can take my time and get the look I want. With the snow on the ground, there was enough light to hand hold the camera and take pictures. Once I got the pictures I wanted, I was off and they contuined to eat away.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bohemian Waxwings

The Bohemian Waxwings are spending more and more time near the Town of Banff, eating the fall harvest one at time. The day I got these photos, they were going after the berries on the ground. But while resting on the tree branches of a Aspen, they were making quite the conversation, which got my attention. I slowly moved near, with the sun behind me, started shooting. Got few good keepers, could have used more colour in the background. After about five minutes, they all decided to fly off, until we meet again.

 

Until next moment,

Amar

Bird Count Day

Many were out today in the Bow Valley, participating in the 2009 Christmas bird count. Each group were given their section to walk, to explore and to count the birds they could identify. The group I was part of had a slow start, we spotted Ravens right away, but we had to do some walking before we came across flock of Gray crowned Rosy Finches and then little bit later American Dippers. After meeting a group coming from the opposite side, we moved on until we stopped to have lunch surrounded by the beauty around us. Before we ate we had spotted a Belted Kingfisher and another Dipper. 

After lunch came the fun part, bushwhacking through the willow shrubs. Along the way we were rewarded with the sunlight lighting up the mountains all around us and more birds, Boreal Chickadees, Mountain one as well and a Kinglet. Soon after we came across or should I say toward us, a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings. You think I would have had enough pictures of them from November. Always room for more. Number of them were sitting top of a aspen as if they were leaves. We continue our journey, spotting other birds, Pine Grosbeaks, Junko and more. Another fun day in the mountains.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bohemian Waxwing

For part of November I had been busy taking pictures of the Bohemian Waxwings, as they been busy eating every bit of food they could find on the trees. Most years the leaves fall of the trees, making it easier to capture the birds with the camera. But this year with the sudden cold spell in October,  abscission did not take place, thus many of the deciduous trees are still holding on to most of their leaves.

The birds were too busy eating, perhaps a better word should be gorging, I was able to get close without having them scared off. There was one time on a four meter tall Mountain Ash, between 30 to 40 waxwings were busy eating and moving around, casing the leaves to make the same sound as wind was going through. 

Then there was another time when I was busy standing close to a tree taking pictures of one waxwing, all of sudden ear-full of waxwings flew right past me onto the tree. Then in few minutes they all looked as if heading for me but only to turn at the last second to head for the top of tree behind me. Even with 250 pictures of waxwings on my hard drive,only ten percent of the total pictures I taken of these wonderful birds. I'm still looking forward to capturing them again next year.

Until next moment,

Amar