British Columbia Trip ~ February 19, 2013

I got on the 5:15 AM ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and drove the hour-plus up to Courtenay.

Sunrise from the Strait of Georgia near Duke Point, British Columbia.

This was my second attempt at getting a look at a Citrine Wagtail that was found there back in November.  I, and another birder named David from California that I'd met on the ferry, set up shop at the 'traditional' site around 9:00 with Randy, an Alberta birder.  A Northern Shrike and a Spotted Towhee were two of the birds found in the large slash piles.

Spotted Towhee near Courtenay, British Columbia.

About four hours later while David and I were checking the south side of the fencerow, Randy yelled "Wagtail!" The bird had flown in from the southeast and landed on a rock about 20 feet away from him, its tail bobbing away. As the two of us worked our way closer for a better look, the bird took off and flew back from where it came. The bird never returned despite another hour or so of waiting. I was the last one to leave at around 3:00, glad that I finally got to see the bird but wishing I'd had a little longer look at it and a chance for a photo.

I drove back to Nanaimo, took the 5:45 PM ferry back to Tsawwassen and drove over to New Westminster where I spent the night.

Late afternoon in the Strait of Georgia near Duke Point, British Columbia.

Late afternoon in the Strait of Georgia near Duke Point, British Columbia.

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