Category Archives: bugs

Coming and going

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Alistair

The fall is a time of many transitions. Here are two. A Black Meadowhawk was seen flying around today. November 2nd is late for any dragonfly to be about. Meanwhile, Bufflehead Ducks fly in. They are rare in summer, but … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs | 1 Comment

Fog, turkeys, hoboes

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Alistair

In the cool early morning, steam fog rose from a stream and drifted over the countryside. Wild turkeys are silhouetted in the morning mist as they feed in a field. As the fog drifts by, its droplets are intercepted by … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, weather | 2 Comments

Harlequin hunting

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Alistair

The first observations of Harlequin Ducks on Kokanee Creek this century were made this May at which time the males appeared in their breeding finery. Now, for about a week, a Harlequin has been seen on the creek again. The breeding season … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, fish | 4 Comments

Flying yellow

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Alistair

Within about five minutes I watched two yellowish, but very different, flying things. Although first thought to be a Nashville Warbler, Carlo is correct (comments): This bird is a Common Yellowthroat. The second is a Sulphur (butterfly), probably an … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs | 3 Comments

Flower sharing

Posted on September 6, 2014 by Alistair

I have watched many nectar sippers on flowers. The arrival of a second one usually drives the first away. Today, I was watching both a Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) and a Western White Butterfly (Pontia occidentalis) roam around a … Continue reading →

Posted in bugs, wildflowers | 2 Comments

August goulash

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Alistair

In this posting, the fridge is scoured and eight leftovers are added to a goulash. A Columbian Ground Squirrel looks regal as it surveys its domain. A Great Blue Heron looks like a pterodactyl as it balances in a tree. A female Common Whitetail Dragonfly … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, mammals | 2 Comments

Dragon hunting

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Finn

Guest posting: The pictures and text are from my nine-year old grandson, Finn.Alistair Preparation is important before going to hunt dragons with your grandfather. After all, dragons are wily and skittish. So before heading out, we checked our equipment and refined our stalking … Continue reading →

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Damselfly mating

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Alistair

Damselflies are mating again. Courtship is simple: The male looks for a good egg-laying site and then shows it off to a potential mate. Usually the site is an aquatic weed near the water’s surface, but this particular damselfly male has ineptly chosen … Continue reading →

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Shore patrol

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Alistair

The darner season is upon us. Darners are a group of large, colourful, dragonflies that relentlessly patrol shorelines for insect prey. Happily, they are voracious eaters of mosquitoes. Unlike some groups of dragonflies that hunt from a perch—and so … Continue reading →

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Anise Swallowtail

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Alistair

In Acorn and Sheldon’s book, Butterflies of British Columbia (Lone Pine Publishing, 2006), the Anise Swallowtail is described as the most common swallowtail west of the Rockies. Locally, I have had frequent views of both Western and Pale Swallowtails: e.g., butterfly love, yard delights, butterfly … Continue reading →