From Tree Tops to Lily Pads: An Urban Wildlife Treasure Hunt - May 30, 2025

The weather on Friday was incredibly hot at 26+ degrees (or at least it felt that way), clear skies, and ideal light. It was the kind of day that begged for a road trip. With my gear packed and video settings dialed in, I boarded the ferry from Vancouver Island bound for Delta, Abbotsford and Chilliwack BC, hoping to photograph bald eagles, herons, and sandhill cranes—and to practice my video skills along the way. This is Part 1 - Day 1.

Before heading to my main destination, I made an impromptu stop at a popular heron colony. I’m so glad I did.

In the golden wash of the morning sun, I spotted not only herons nesting in high treetops—but two juvenile bald eagles nestled right in the middle of it all. With their mottled brown-and-white feathers, they looked like living Oreo cookies.

Did You Know?

Juvenile bald eagles don’t develop their iconic white head and tail until they’re about 4–5 years old. Instead, their feathers are mottled brown with white blotches—giving them a patchy, almost camouflage-like appearance. This helps them blend into their surroundings as they learn to hunt and survive on their own.

High above them, an adult bald eagle sat proudly on a pine branch, its back turned, soaking in the rising sun. I hit record and just...watched.

Herons flew in and out with fresh sticks, their teenage chicks teetered awkwardly around the nests, and songbirds filled the air with a morning chorus. The harmony of species in such close proximity was astonishing. The herons, despite being acutely aware of the risk that bald eagles pose to their young, still chose this location—perhaps because the eagles keep other predators at bay. Nature, as always, balances risk and reward.

Did You Know?

Great Blue Herons often nest in colonies called rookeries or heronries, sometimes with over 100 nests clustered in tall trees. They reuse these nests year after year, adding new sticks each season to build deep, bowl-shaped structures that can weigh several kilograms.

With their fuzzy punk-rock hairdos and permanently grumpy expressions, juvenile herons look like they just stomped out of a Jurassic-era teen rebellion.

This colony was thriving. I marveled at the depth and structure of the nests—how do herons even build such intricate platforms? The trees, tall and wise, stood like guardians over the colony, right beside a life-sustaining inlet. Sadly, this inlet is part of the area threatened by the Roberts Bank Terminal Development, a project that may displace not just the herons, but thousands of migratory shorebirds that rely on this stopover. (To learn more, I highly recommend watching Isabella Groc’s documentary.)

Full of awe, I returned to my car beaming. The trip was already off to a fantastic start.

My next stop was a park known for sandhill cranes. While I didn’t find any cranes, I was rewarded with herons relaxing in a shallow lake.

Looking for a snack amongst the lily pads.

Or keeping an eye on people near the boardwalk.

And a new bird species for me: the cowbird!

Did You Know?

Brown-headed Cowbirds are brood parasites—they lay their eggs in other birds’ nests and leave the parenting to unsuspecting foster families. Despite this, many host birds still raise the cowbird chick as their own.

A female red-winged blackbird, streaked in rich brown with delicate markings that help her blend seamlessly into reeds and grasses, posed elegantly for a few portraits. Nearby, her mate—jet black with those unmistakable red-and-yellow shoulder patches—called out proudly.

Did you know?

While the males are bold and flashy to attract mates and defend territory, females are beautifully camouflaged to protect their nests, often hidden low in dense vegetation.

A small song sparrow also made an appearance, singing its heart out. Song sparrows, are known for their distinctive and regional songs—each one can learn up to 20 different tunes and improvise variations.

At the Great Blue Heron Reserve, I was treated to even more bird surprises:

A cedar waxwing mother feeding her chick. Took me a bit to figure out what she was doing. I was mesmerized by the cedar waxwing I spotted—its plumage looked like a watercolor painting brought to life. Soft gradients of yellow, grey, and warm orange flowed seamlessly along its sleek body, while a crisp black eye band gave it the appearance of a tiny feathered bandit. There’s something elegant and mysterious about them—like they belong in a storybook.

Did You Know?

Cedar waxwings get their name from the red, wax-like tips on their wing feathers and their love for cedar berries. That silky, gradient plumage isn’t just beautiful—it’s also a clue to their age and diet. Adults have those signature red “wax” tips, and the more fruit they eat, the brighter the yellow in their tail tips can become—sometimes even turning orange from eating invasive honeysuckle berries!

Among the flutter of movement in the trees, I spotted a downy woodpecker—small but mighty, with striking black-and-white plumage that looked like someone painted it in bold brush strokes. The delicate white spots on its wings, the snowy underside, and the crisp black eye stripe gave it a sharp, graphic look. A tiny flash of red on the back of the head marked this one as a male. For such a small bird, he was full of determination, pecking away with focus and energy.

Did You Know?

The Downy Woodpecker is North America’s smallest woodpecker, but don’t let its size fool you—it packs a powerful punch. Despite looking almost identical to its larger cousin, the Hairy Woodpecker, the downy has a shorter bill, which it uses with amazing precision to hunt for insects hidden in tree bark. They also use their stiff tail feathers like a tripod to balance while they hammer away!

And then what looked like a juvenile Downy perched on a nearby fence, keeping watch while the dad ate. Its markings were softer, slightly fuzzier, and the red patch was either absent or just beginning to come in—giving it that telltale "still growing up" look. It watched intently, head tilted, as if studying every move. It was a quiet, touching moment—like a small lesson in patience and learning passed from parent to fledgling.

I caught a flash of bright yellow darting through the branches—almost like sunlight with wings. It was a male American goldfinch, glowing against the green backdrop like a dropped petal of summer. They were incredibly fast for such small birds, flitting from branch to branch with bursts of energy, almost too quick for my lens to keep up. But when one paused—just for a moment—it was like nature took a breath. That vivid yellow, contrasted by a sleek black cap and wings, made it look like a tiny superhero in a sunflower suit.

Did You Know?

Male American goldfinches sport their bold yellow plumage only during breeding season. In winter, they molt into a much duller olive-brown color—almost unrecognizable unless you're paying close attention. Their fluttering flight pattern and high-pitched “po-ta-to-chip” call make them easy to spot (or hear!) if you slow down and watch the treetops.

At a small feeding station tucked near a patch of low branches, a brilliantly colored black-headed grosbeak caught my eye—his orange chest glowing like a burnt ember, framed by bold black wings and a thick ivory bill built for cracking seeds.

Did You Know?

Black-headed grosbeaks have incredibly strong beaks, capable of crushing hard seeds and even beetles. But despite their strength, they tend to be fairly gentle around other birds at feeders. Song sparrows, meanwhile, might be small, but they’re known for their boldness and territorial nature—especially when guarding food or nest space.

He looked strong and confident as he claimed a spot, but he wasn’t alone for long. A feisty little song sparrow showed up, clearly eyeing the same seed source. Despite being half his size, she puffed up, fluttered in, and made her presence known. I watched, amused, as the grosbeak hesitated—and then, to my surprise, he gave up the perch and fled. She stood victorious, tiny but mighty.

Every single one was new to my lens.

Although part of the heron nesting area was blocked due to a damaged bridge, I managed to find a viewing hole and positioned my camera just right. I spotted at least 15 heron nests hidden among the leaves—busy, vibrant, and full of life.

I struggled to get my camera positioned in the right way through the viewing holes but eventually the struggle paid off!

The results!

Before calling it a day, I made one last stop at a peaceful lakeside park. While sitting on a log catching my breath, two dragonflies—my first ever!—landed nearby.

Dragonflies are notoriously difficult to photograph in the wild—always zipping, darting, vanishing before the lens can lock focus. But on this day, I got lucky. I sat quietly on a sun-warmed log near the water, camera resting in my lap, and just waited. Then—like a gift—two dragonflies landed nearby. One was black and white, looking like it wore stained-glass wings.

The other shimmered in soft hues of orangey blue, its delicate body catching the light just right. I held my breath and snapped the moment.

Did You Know?

Dragonflies are expert aerial hunters—they can fly in all directions, hover like helicopters, and even mate mid-air. Their flight speed can exceed 30 km/h, and they have nearly 360-degree vision thanks to their large compound eyes. Some species spend years as aquatic nymphs before transforming into the flying wonders we see for just a few months.

They stayed for a brief pause, just long enough to remind me that patience in nature often pays off.

As I sat quietly near the lake’s edge, I spotted her—a belted kingfisher, solo and focused, perched on a crooked branch above the water. Her spiky crest and slate-blue feathers made her look like a tiny, fierce fisherman straight out of a comic book. She didn’t make her usual rattling call, but I watched as she dove again and again, splashing hard into the water and then zipping back to a new perch.

Her persistence paid off—after several failed attempts, she emerged triumphant with a small fish wriggling in his beak. It was one of those scenes that felt both ancient and immediate, a glimpse into the rhythm of wild survival.

Did You Know?

Belted kingfishers are one of the few bird species where the female is more brightly colored than the male. She has an extra rusty band across her belly, in addition to the slate-blue one they both share. These birds use their strong bills to dive for fish, and they often nest in burrows they dig into riverbanks—sometimes up to 8 feet deep!

Can you spot her?

As the sun began to set, I made one last visit to Burnaby Lake—and it didn’t disappoint. A bald eagle swooped in, caught a fish, and landed to eat its prize. A red-winged blackbird heckled him for a bite (with no success). And tucked among the lily pads? Turtles! Camouflaged so perfectly I nearly missed them.

When all you want is a quiet fish dinner… but the entire marsh decides it’s potluck.

Eagle: “Finally caught something—time to dig in.”

Red-Winged Blackbird: “Hey, mind sharing?”

Turtles: “Don’t mind us, just sunbathing. Right next to your plate.”

Mallard: “Is this seat taken?”

Crow (off-frame): “I’ve got next.”

Just as I was about to leave, I heard a strange sound from the water. Something splashed. I moved closer. To my utter joy, I found my first American bullfrog! The croak, the splash, the moment—it was pure magic.

And then I was able to catch him mid ribbit!

Did You Know?

American bullfrogs are North America's largest frog species. They can leap up to 6 feet and are known for their loud, deep calls—sounding like a low “jug-o-rum.” While native to eastern North America, they’ve been introduced in BC and are considered invasive in some areas due to their appetite for anything they can fit in their mouths—birds, snakes, even other frogs.

It struck me how unaware many park visitors were of the wildlife all around them. So many walked by, tuned into themselves, while a whole world was playing out beside them. But that’s okay. For me, every drop of sweat, every sore muscle, was worth it. These animals reminded me of life’s most important lesson:

Keep going. Keep living. Be present. Be in awe.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2 - Day 2 staring Bald Eagles!