Category Archives: fish

Dipper scarfs egg

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Alistair

  A dipper is an unusual songbird on a number of counts. It flies underwater in search of comestibles in turbulent mountain streams. But, when if finds something, it apparently doesn’t eat it immediately, but brings it to firm ground … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 4 Comments

Fishing grizzlies

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Alistair

  Three smallish grizzly bears were fishing in a stream. I suspect that these bears were cubs freshly on their own as they had yet to develop the prominent shoulder hump of adult grizzlies. This grizzly appears to be looking … Continue reading →

Posted in fish, mammals | 4 Comments

Smoke and fish

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Alistair

  Late summer is the season of smoke and fish. The smoke is episodic — some years none, some years considerable. This year it is particularly bad. The fish, spawning kokanee, are an annual staple that is far more agreeable. … Continue reading →

Posted in fish, weather | 4 Comments

Osprey and fish

Posted on July 19, 2020 by Alistair

  There was a time when local sport fishermen demonized the osprey: How dare that bird prey on (what was fantasized as) their fish? Clearly, we need to kill the osprey. Locally burned pilings still stand as a mute testimony … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 2 Comments

Factious ospreys

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Alistair

  Nature is not bucolic. Animals attack one another with tooth, claw, and bill. Other species are seen as either food or competitor — in either case they must be attacked. I have watched animals assault prey. I have seen … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 2 Comments

April goulash

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Alistair

  This is a collection of images from April, each of which lacked a posting of its own. If a robin is swallowing worms, it must be spring. This is a female. The Varied Thrush is a close relative of … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, fish, herptiles | 10 Comments

Grebe & fish

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Alistair

  Our four regular grebes all dive underwater to forage. The smallest of these is the Pied-billed Grebe. It mostly eats small fish and crustaceans, such as crayfish, which it captures and crushes with its stout bill and strong jaws … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 4 Comments

Osprey migration preparation

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Alistair

  Around mid-September adult ospreys migrate. They have nested, raised chicks, and sent them off on their own. Now is the time to head south for the winter. However, that requires building up fat reserves by feasting on fish. (Juvenile … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 7 Comments

Heron plunge

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Alistair

  Yesterday, with the Kokanee moving up local creeks to spawn, I posted a picture of a heron hunting by the creek. Today, it plunged after a Kokanee.  A Great Blue Heron strikes at a Kokanee. Alas, it failed to … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 2 Comments

Spawning watch

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Alistair

  Kokanee are filling local creeks in preparation for spawning, after which their carcasses will become available to many other creatures. Those creatures are already standing by in anticipation. A Kokanee salmon enters the creek to spawn. Standing by to … Continue reading →

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