Northern Shrike (Juvenile)
Nanaimo Estuary. A distant crop of a skittish bird.
Fall Puff Ball (Northern Shrike)
A northern shrike puffs up to keep warm on a cold day at Nanaimo Estuary.
Hunting With Flair (Northern Shrike)
At the Nanaimo Estuary a northern shrike dives down to catch an unsuspecting morsel in the grass.
Northern Shrike in Flight
Here is one with a bit better background.
Northern Shrike Flight Shot
One of a couple of flight shots from today.
Last Leaves of Autumn (Northern Shrike)
A northern shrike in afternoon light. Not considered a raptor but eats everything from bugs to mice and other birds. Sometimes called "The Butcher Bird", it has been known to impale its prey on sharp objects such as thorns and barbwire fences for eating at a later time. Nasty!
Northern Shrike Post Shot
A northern shrike hunts for field mice close to the parking lot at Nanaimo Estuary.
Real Mouth Full #2 (Northern Shrike)
You can see a bit more of the shrike's face in this image. Perhaps I should have posted this shot first? You be the judge.
Quite The Mouth Full ( Northern Shrike)
I guess all of the crickets and grasshoppers are gone out at the Nanaimo Estuary. Here the northern shrike catches a field mouse. The shrike was back on his perch again in a couple of minutes so I am guessing that he cached the field mouse for later somewhere in the hedgerow.
Northern Shrike Adult
Caught up with the adult shrike yesterday. Quite a nice day for photography as the wind had died down and the light was even. These guys don't qualify as "raptors" but they sure act like them. They eat everything from bugs to mice and other birds. Referred to by some as "butcher birds" and will often impale their prey on sharp tree limbs or barb wire fences as a means of storing their catch for later eating.
Immature Northern Shrike
There has been a couple of these guys hanging around the estuary lately. Just guessing but I would say by the coloring on this one it is a juvenile bird.
Backlit But Still Pretty (Northern Shrike)
Got caught with the light coming in the wrong direction on this one. Still pretty though with the glow around the edges.
Shrikey Riker (Northern Shrike)
The shrike came to visit me several times Sunday afternoon as I waited in vain for a short-eared owl to make an appearance. Mount Benson in the background.
Shrike Fly Past
Got a quick shot of the northern shrike on his way past me. He let me know he was coming with patterned shrike calls so I was able to pan with his movement. Not an ideal image but pretty good considering the light.
Chowing Down
The northern shrike was around today having a feast on the last remaining grasshoppers.
Sunny Day Shrike 2015
No luck today with the short-eared owls but I did get close and personal with one of the northern shrikes at the parking lot. First time in a while that I have also been able to get an image without the high-key background as these guys are usually on the top of a bush or tree. I am thinking that this may be an immature bird because of the more subdued markings.
Shrike on a Stick 2015
Here is this season's first installment of the northern shrike. He seems a bit more skittish this year so it may be some time before I can get you a better detailed image.
Northern Shrike Blast Off
A northern shrike bursts off of a pear tree to dive on its next meal at the Nanaimo Estuary.
The "Bullet Bird" of Nanaimo Estuary
Our local northern shrike rocks! Thought he was going to dive right into my camera lens. Cropped for added effect and coolness. Check out my article in the February edition of BirdWatching Magazine. www.birdwatchingdaily.com/blog/2014/12/26/reader-photo-sp...
Bird on a Stick
I couldn't get the female harrier to come close today but the northern shrike spent a good part of the afternoon singing to me from a short distance away.
Shrike on a Stick #2
Ran into Mr. Shrike again today. The light was a bit less harsh compared to last time, January 14, 2014.
Sunday Shrike Shot
A cloud came over the sun today as the shrike came by for another visit. He managed to pick a somewhat more interesting perch as well.
Shrike On a Stick
The shrike was out doing his rounds again today. Still lots of crickets left to eat so he has been busy. Lots of people on the mainland covet photos of these guys. I have never had any trouble having them come close and always manage some detailed shots every year. They will actually follow you because you stir up the bugs for them as you walk. Shrikes themselves look like a grey jay but are canabalistic. They catch bugs, birds, and small rodents much like a hawk or falcon. They have been known to impale their prey on sharp objects such as a barbed wire fence to let them tenderize for eating at a later time.
