Within seconds of them passing me, they were pulled over by a ghost car who was running a radar trap. He must have called for backup, as I saw a marked cruiser pull a U-Turn on the freeway median to come back and assist. Justice was served very promptly.
On to the birding. It didn't take long for us to spot some colourful birds, first this male Grosbeak.
Black-headed Grosbeak - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
And then he was joined by another male, possibly an offspring or a sibling of the first one.
Black-headed Grosbeaks - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
The next photo is a Garter Snake as far as Mary-Jean and I can tell. The magnification of the camera lens makes it look much bigger than it actually was.
Garter Snake - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
This American Goldfinch was in a colourful setting, I didn't quite nail the photo, but it's worth including.
American Goldfinch - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
I saw my first Vulture of the year last week, and once again here this week.
Turkey Vulture - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
Here's the first Cedar Waxwing of the day, just in launch mode.
Cedar Waxwing - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
Earlier there was a snake, now here's a slug. I captured the detail on this one pretty well.
Slug - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
The light was gradually getting better as the morning went on. This Song Sparrow shot was an example of how good light improves image quality.
Song Sparrow - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
It's still difficult to get a good shot of an Eastern Kingbird, their contrasting dark and light plumage
seems to cause exposure issues. This is one of my better results for this species.
Eastern Kingbird - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
Here's a couple of scenery shots to show what a special place this is.
That's rock, it looks a little bit like an Owl.
This next shot is not of a rock, but a colourful turtle.
Western Painted Turtle - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
The next bird was the early highlight of the day, especially for Mary-Jean. And she "spotted" it first.
Spotted Sandpiper - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
Spotted Sandpiper - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
I thought the Spotted was a new bird for me for 2020, but I checked my list at home. I had seen one in May at Iona Regional Park, on the inner sewage ponds. This location was much more aesthetically pleasing.
I quite like the tones on this Robin, probably a female with the lighter plumage.
American Robin (F?) - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
We were just completing the southeast loop trail when we spotted a male Bullock's Oriole close by in the bushes.
Bullock's Oriole - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
An interesting drama unfolded as a female came into the area. I don't think this was a prelude to mating.
Bullock's Orioles - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
These next shots are my first ever good ones of a female Bullock's Oriole. She looks like she survived the run-in with the male.
Bullock's Oriole (F) - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
Bullock's Oriole (F) - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
And the last bird of the day was another Cedar Waxwing.
Cedar Waxwing - Cheam Lake Regional Park, Chilliwack BC
After 3+ hours of birding it was time to head back home. As it was a Sunday in the summer, the trip was over two hours. But the birds were worth it, especially the Spotted Sandpiper and the Bullock's Orioles.
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