My wife and I recently spent a week on Vancouver Island. Most of these were taken on Chesterman Beach which is on the West Coast of Vancouver Island just south of Tofino BC. First a couple of western sandpiper pics. These birds use this area as a feeding stop on the way to Alaska. I read that they can double their weight in just a few days of resting stop. {} Love the way they move in unison - even on foot. View attachment 11588 Brave (or foolish) crow (near Parksville BC): View attachment 11589 The sandpipers, crows, and the seagulls, as shown in this shot, were all eating small worms on the tidal flats. View attachment 11590 I tried to get some decent oystercatcher shots, but they were pretty elusive. The best I managed was a quick flight shot. View attachment 11591
Hi Dennis You were in my neck of the woods! I'm glad you had a good time. Looks like you could have used my 300 or 500 ;^)
Hi Rory. I sure could have used a bit more reach for those oystercatchers. They perched on a rock that was just too far offshore to get a decent shot. We stayed at a bed and breakfast just north of Parksville on the way over and one in Lantzville on the way back - so we were pretty close to your neck of the woods. Both have eagles nesting close by but I didn't get any great shots. Once the eaglets have fledged, they don't hang around so much. Oh well, It was relaxing trip and the Tofino - Uclulet area is spectacular.
Very nice series Dennis. Looks like you had a good day. I'll bet you are getting impatient for that 300. :wink:
Nice series Dennis, looks like you had a good time, look forward to seeing more ;-) On the second shot, which one were you focusing on. LOL!!! Keith
Thanks for the kind comments everyone. I felt lucky to get the sandpipers, because it is the tail end of their migration. This group was the only one I saw and they were only on the beach for about an hour out of six days.
These are great shots, Dennis, but there's just something special about those sandpipers! Like a slice of their little life captured on digital film. Neat!
