Golden Light Snack (Common Nighthawk)
During the time of golden light as the sun sets a common nighthawk snatches a fly out of the air
Tough Light (Common Nighthawk)
Here is another photo of one of the nighthawks that was flying in our neighborhood last night. A bit harsh because of the light but probably the best bug shot of the evening.
Night hawks are a type of Nightjar similar to Whip-poor-wills. They spend most of their life on the wing traveling or feeding on insects.
Nighttime Feeding Frenzy (Common Nighthawk)
The nighthawks were going crazy in our neighborhood last night with a couple of hundred birds feeding on a sudden evening hatch of flies.
Night hawks are a type of Nightjar similar to Whip-poor-wills. They spend most of their life on the wing traveling or feeding on insects.
Mirror, Mirror #2 (Violet-Green Swallow)
Just went through my images from the other day and realized that I had another one of a violet-green swallow catching a bug as well. Who knew? Not as close but still nice.
Mirror, Mirror (Northern Rough Wing Swallow)
In this image, a northern rough wing swallow prepares to pluck a mayfly off the top of the water.
Food on The Wing (Purple Martin)
A male purple martin snatches a bug out of the air during high speed flight at Morning Star Ponds in Parksville.
First of The Season Bug Shot (Yellow-Rump Warbler)
Got the first warbler bug shot of the spring season today at Buttertubs. A bit more spring birds today but still somewhat inconsistent as regards activity. Hoping it will get better in a week or two.
I Found It! (Yellow-Headed Blackbird)
I really enjoyed my trip to Alberta last spring, especially our visits to Frank Lake just south of Calgary. I got home and was a bit bummed out though as I could not find this cool image I made of a male yellow-headed blackbird with a beak full of bugs. Well, after nine months of searching I had pretty much given up. Look what I found in an obscure place on my hard drive about an hour ago!
Violet-Green Swallow
A violet-green swallow skims the water hunting bugs at a swamp near Enos Lake.
BIF Practice (Violet-Green Swallow)
Still a bit rusty on my "BIF" bird in flight shooting. You need to be a whole lot faster in the spring time!
Fast Food (Violet-Green Swallow)
A hungrey fast flying swallow gobbles down a bug in flight today at Buttertubs Marsh.
Reaching For The Prize (Yellow-Headed Blackbird)
A male yellow-headed blackbird chases another damsel fly in his hunt for food to feed the chicks.
Quick Snack (Yellow-Headed Blackbird)
A yellow-headed blackbird flies up to snatch a bug in mid air for a quick afternoon snack.
Not Always Successful (Violet-Green Swallow)
Sometimes they miss! You can see the bug he missed just under the tail.
On Target (Violet-Green Swallow)
Many of the insects were on the surface of the water which caused the swallows to skim the surface and scoop them up. Perhaps the larvae crawl out of the water and end up on the surface before they take flight like a dragonfly? Not sure.
Foothills Marsh (Violet-Green Swallow)
Having a lot of fun with Violet-Green Swallows lately. Took this one today at Foothills Marsh just a bit north of Nanaimo.
Not Hard To Swallow (Violet-Green Swallow)
Another violet-green swallow scoops a bug at Buttertubs Marsh.
Grasshoppers For Lunch (Northern Pygmy Owl)
Pretty tough light today. Tried to get images in the shadows where ever possible. In this photo the pygmy owl enjoys a freshly caught grasshopper from the edge of the cliff while perched on a mossy branch.
Beak Full of Bugs (Yellow-Headed Blackbird)
Lots of hungry mouths to feed this time of year.
