Category Archives: commentary

Murray, the marmot

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Alistair

  Murray, the Hoary Marmot, is a mugger. It hangs out near a popular sub-alpine trail and accosts passing hikers. Murray prefers those with bare arms and legs for it likes to lick salty limbs. Murray’s activity has a long … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary, mammals | 3 Comments

Wildlife presentation

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Alistair

  When an organization invites me to give a presentation, I normally don’t bother with promotion. I make an exception for Science in the Park at Kokanee Creek — thus, this posting. This will be the fourth year I have … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, commentary, mammals, scenes | 3 Comments

Ducks of that ilk

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Alistair

  Sometimes a picture is taken merely so as to delight in a whimsical, but obscure, title. It may be that only a canny Scots botanist will get this one.

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Kestrel upbringing

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Alistair

  Life in the nest is good. Or at least it is, if judged by the reluctance of the young of some bird species to leave it. And why would they ever want to leave? They are comfortable, fed, cleaned, … Continue reading →

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And the cutest is…

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Alistair

  The sight of freshly hatched chicks often evokes the word, cute. For me, the cutest is the fuzzy-feathered, gangly-legged, chick of the Spotted Sandpiper.

Posted in birds, commentary | 3 Comments

Like a bird on a wire

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Alistair

  There is something unsettling about seeing a bird on a wire — possibly this arises from the juxtaposition of wild and processed. The memorable line, like a bird on a wire, came from Lenard Cohen. In the 1960s, he … Continue reading →

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Portraits of loons

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Alistair

  It is difficult to take any good picture of a loon on this lake, let alone a frontal portrait: • Loons need clear water to spot prey, so they avoid humans, who typically befoul waterways. • Loons seem to … Continue reading →

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Canadian life

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Alistair

  Today — July 1st, 2017 — marks the sesquicentenary of the creation of Canada as a nation. My two-dozen mute portraits offer peeks into the charm and beauty of life in Canada.

Posted in birds, commentary, fish, mammals | 15 Comments

Creek mouth will move

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Alistair

  It has happened before, and it will happen again: The mouth of Kokanee Creek will (abruptly) shift to the east. The portion of the delta immediately to the west of the creek mouth is strewn with gullies and ponds. … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary, scenes | 1 Comment

Apostrophe’s last bastion

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Alistair

  Amongst geographical names, the possessive is discouraged in favour of the plural. Around Kootenay Lake, Johnson’s Landing is officially Johnsons Landing and Queen’s Bay has become Queens Bay — despite no compelling evidence for multiple eponymous Johnsons or Queens. In ornithology, the possessive still rules when … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, commentary | 6 Comments