This morning, I embarked on an adventure that had me setting my alarm for the wee hours before sunrise. The promise of Bufflehead ducks at Esquimalt Lagoon was too enticing to pass up. I arrived just as the sun was peeking over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the estuary. It was the perfect start to a day of birding magic.
Before I even parked, a kingfisher zipped into view. Unfortunately, it was perched on a powerline over the bridge I was driving on, and I couldn’t pull over. Though I missed that shot, it didn’t dampen my spirits—especially when I saw the estuary teeming with life. Birds were waking up and enjoying their breakfast, and I found myself in wildlife photographer overload. Where to look first? Where to focus? It was a joyful challenge.
Taking a moment to collect myself, I noticed some movement on a small sandbar. Small, swift birds darted along the shoreline. I crept closer, snapping away as the tide came in. Dunlins! My first-ever sighting of this species at this estuary. What an incredible moment—it left me feeling electrified.
Dunlins are drawn to estuaries because these habitats provide an abundant food supply and a safe space for foraging, especially during migration. Estuaries are rich in mudflats teeming with invertebrates, which are the primary diet of dunlins. They use their slender, curved bills to probe the mud for small creatures like worms, tiny crustaceans, mollusks, and insects. The mix of tidal waters and nutrient-rich sediment creates an ideal feeding ground for these shorebirds.
As I continued exploring, I heard the unmistakable squawking of Black Oystercatchers. They were busy foraging for their breakfast, silhouetted against the shimmering water. At first, I wasn’t certain what they were, but a closer look revealed their striking orange beaks. True to form, they were skittish, so I kept my distance while capturing a few shots. Patience paid off.
Black Oystercatchers are distinctive shorebirds known for their striking black plumage and bright orange beaks. They are often found along rocky coastlines, where they dig into the intertidal zone to forage for food. Their primary diet consists of mollusks, such as oysters and clams, which they pry open with their strong beaks. The loud, sharp screams they make while digging are believed to be a form of communication, either to alert other oystercatchers to food sources or to warn potential threats. These vocalizations may also serve to establish territory, especially during the breeding season.
Next, I focused on my primary goal: spotting the Buffleheads. Walking along the estuary’s shoreline, I scanned through the mallards until, finally, I saw them—Buffleheads! My heart raced. These little ducks are notoriously skittish, and I had to move slowly and wait them out. Every time I got too close, they dove or turned their backs to me. But persistence paid off. Portrait after portrait, I captured their iridescent colors, the shimmering purples and greens on their necks and heads glowing in the early light. I was buzzing with excitement. Mission accomplished: male and female Buffleheads, photographed and checked off my bucket list!
"Every challenge you face on your photography journey is a brushstroke on the canvas of your growth. Keep pursuing your vision, no matter the obstacles—because the most breathtaking images often come from the hardest paths."
With the Buffleheads secured, I turned my attention to some more “cooperative” birds. Rock Pigeons posed for me like seasoned models, clearly used to human attention and expecting a snack in return. Rock pigeons display a wide variety of colors due to genetic variation and selective breeding over centuries. The typical coloration is a grayish body with iridescent green and purple on the neck, black bars on the wings, and a dark tail band.
However, some pigeons, such as white ones, stand out due to genetic mutations or crossbreeding. White pigeons are often the result of leucism, a condition that reduces pigmentation, or selective breeding for their striking appearance. This diversity showcases their adaptability and long history of living alongside humans.
Then, I spotted a couple of American Wigeons—a male and female gliding elegantly across the water like celebrities on a red carpet. American Wigeons are elegant dabbling ducks often found in estuaries during winter, where food is plentiful, and they can rest safely. These ducks often pair up during winter as part of their bonding process before the breeding season in spring. The male wigeon stands out with his striking colors—a white forehead, green iridescent eye patch, and warm chestnut body—while the female is more understated with mottled brown plumage for better camouflage.
As I watched them glide effortlessly across the estuary, I couldn’t help but wonder what they thought of me crouched on the shore with my camera. Were they curious about this odd human, or simply too focused on their graceful morning routine to care? Either way, they seemed content, living their lives while I captured their beauty—a fleeting moment where our worlds intersected.
"Taking time to immerse yourself in nature isn’t just a break for the mind—it’s a balm for the heart. In the stillness of the natural world, we find healing, perspective, and a quiet joy that helps us reconnect with ourselves."
Another lone Wigeon floated nearby, its reflection on the water so serene it looked like an impressionist painting. I paused and watched the lone wigeon gliding gracefully across the water, its reflection rippling softly beneath it. I couldn’t help but wonder what it thought of me, standing there on the shoreline with my camera. Did it ponder the way I sometimes do about solitude? Was it content, simply living its purpose in that moment? As I watched, I felt a quiet connection, as if the wigeon and I shared an unspoken understanding about finding meaning in our own unique ways, even in the stillness of being alone.
As I headed back to my car, I startled a flock of cormorants I hadn’t even noticed. They took off, and I managed to capture a quick in-flight photo. Though I couldn’t get a closer look, I chuckled at their abrupt departure—how rude of them not to stick around for a photoshoot! Cormorants, though often associated with the sea, are highly adaptable and frequently rest in estuaries. These areas provide calm waters and ample food sources, such as fish and crustaceans, making them an ideal spot for foraging and resting. Estuaries also offer a safe, sheltered environment away from the harsher conditions of open waters. Cormorants may use these areas as a stopover during daily feeding routines or as a place to dry their wings after diving, taking advantage of the tranquil surroundings to recharge before returning to the sea.
Several Great Blue Herons stood in the water, their tall bodies immersed, surveying the estuary like sentinels of their world. I kept a respectful distance, not wanting to disturb them in their habitat, but I was mesmerized by their presence. They moved with a slow, deliberate grace, their long legs wading through the shallows in a way that felt almost prehistoric—like a living pterodactyl searching for its next meal.
As one heron approached a group of ducks, it let out a squawk, a commanding “make way!” that sent the ducks parting without hesitation. Yet there was no panic, just a peaceful coexistence—a majestic creature navigating through a world shared with so many other bird species. Watching this harmony unfold reminded me of the beauty of nature’s balance, where each species has its place yet interacts with one another in fascinating ways.
In the quiet stillness of the early morning, I noticed a seagull on the shoreline, eagerly devouring a crab it had caught. Realizing I had interrupted its breakfast, I couldn’t help but feel like a bird paparazzi. With a soft smile, I snapped a quick photo, then apologized to the seagull for the intrusion. As I thanked it for the brief moment it allowed me to capture, I quietly moved on, leaving it to enjoy its meal in peace. It was a small but delightful encounter—a reminder of the simple, raw beauty of nature’s routines.
As I watched a seagull soaring above the water, I noticed something clutched in its beak—a clam! Seagulls are incredible fishers and clever problem-solvers, often dropping clam shells onto rocks from great heights to crack them open. I suspect this one was headed somewhere private to enjoy its hard-earned meal. Moments like these remind me how remarkable birds are, each one a testament to nature’s ingenuity and adaptability.
As I watched the seagull flying with its prized clam, I felt an overwhelming sense of connection to the moment. Wildlife photography isn’t just a hobby for me—it feels like my true calling. It speaks directly to my heart, quiets my mind, and fills me with an indescribable joy that words can hardly capture. Sometimes, I find myself so mesmerized by the beauty and behaviors of the animals I’m observing that I simply stop to watch, smiling in awe, forgetting about my camera altogether.
By the time I reached my car, it was only 8:30 a.m., yet it felt like I had already lived a day full of purpose and wonder. My heart was full, my camera was packed with memories, and I was ready to head to my next destination. This morning’s experience at Esquimalt Lagoon reminded me why I love wildlife photography so deeply—it’s unpredictable, profoundly rewarding, and leaves me feeling more alive than ever.
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