Birding Highlights 2024

Time to take stock of memorable moments of the year. Here are some exciting bird sightings. I admit, nothing spectacular, but still memorable for me.

In August, 2022, I saw a Glossy Ibis in my neck of the woods. I had to go online to check it out as I’d never seen one before. I was elated to ID it. Here’s the post. What a rare find I thought, for they were mostly found in the Atlantic coasts to the east and the Gulf Coast of Texas to the south. Here in the Prairies? and at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada? Must be a stray.

But two years later almost to the date, this August, I saw a Glossy Ibis again. This time, not just one but two, and even closer to my home. Here they are, pictures are blurry but the memory is clear. They were at a distance too far for my lens to capture in sharper focus. I like to imagine them as Impressionist paintings:

Another highlight of birding 2024 is seeing the Rufus Hummingbird for the first time in Richmond Nature Park in June this year. I’d seen Anna’s Hummingbird before but this time Rufus also. Here’s my post where more photos were posted and the origin of their names. Here’s Rufus, and look at the beautiful  iridescent necklace. It changed colour as I walked around it. I should have taken a video.

And the Osprey that got relocated due to road construction had found a new home (I like to think this one I saw was the one being forced out of its nest.) Looks like the benevolent construction crew had built a new structure for the Osprey to start a new home. Here it is tending its nest and I can’t see what exactly she’s carrying in her claws, looks like two babies, or some sort of fish meat:

And of course, even though it’s a perennial event, welcoming new babies to the Owl Family is always a highlight and the start of the birding season every year. Here are a few pics of these cute little ones:

While I treasure memorable photos like these, I look forward to some novel birding experiences in 2025, and take some photos I’ve never done before.

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Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

13 thoughts on “Birding Highlights 2024”

    1. Stefanie, interesting that you asked. Nah, you can say I’m an accidental birder, many of my findings are serendipitous. I don’t keep any checklists, or BTS (birds to see) lists. If there’s anything I wish to get is taking photos of birds I’ve never seen before. Don’t have any lists, just new sightings, that’s all. 😉

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  4. I feel your excitement – just looking at your photos, knowing that you saw these birds yourself, gives me a vicarious thrill. The Glossy Ibis is so handsome and elegant, and I especially love how your camera revealed the beautiful red collar on the hummingbird. Glory to God!

    Have a blessed holy season of Nativity, and may 2025 be full of delights, photographic and otherwise!

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  5. I smiled at your comment about being a ‘sighter’ rather than a ‘lister.’ Me, too. I’ve come to believe that life lists and to-be-seen lists can be limiting in a certain way. It’s the difference between browsing and seaching online. A specific search can blind us to all the serendipitous experiences and encounters that are just waiting for us. Here’s to a year filled with even more of those serendipitous encounters!

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    1. I’ve enjoyed you pics of Harry the Heron and other nature photography too, and also your UK travel posts. All best wishes for a blessed Christmas and more fantastic travels in. 2025!

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