Category Archives: birds

California quail

  The California Quail does not belong here. But, this one was seen just west of Nelson yesterday. The California Quail was seeded in the Okanagan for hunting in the nineteenth century, but it is rarely seen here. It is … Continue reading

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May goulash

  This is a small collection of pictures taken this May which didn’t have a posting of their own. Well in this case, it is also just a few shots while trying out a camera. One of my first shots … Continue reading

Posted in birds, herptiles | 4 Comments

Hummingbirds, plus

  Hummingbirds have been seen recently around the region. I have seen a female Rufous Hummingbird for about a week. And of late, a male Black-chinned Hummingbird has arrived. During the hummingbird season, we get three different species: rufous, black-chinned, … Continue reading

Posted in birds, mammals | 4 Comments

Eagle’s lost nest

  Thursday evening (May 16, 2024) a Bald Eagle’s huge nest came down when the top part of the tree blew off in high wind. The two chicks in the nest were killed in the fall to the ground far … Continue reading

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May miscellaneous

  I went looking for something else, but instead found, well, many other things. On a pond by the river, there was a loafing log with 14 painted turtles in three sizes. The mature females are the largest and there … Continue reading

Posted in birds, herptiles, mammals, wildflowers | 4 Comments

Two shorebirds

  Killdeers, I am used to seeing, as they migrate to this region earlier that other shorebirds. But now I was expecting to see the Spotted Sandpiper. But, no, there was a Solitary Sandpiper, probably on its way north. It … Continue reading

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Sage Thrasher

  Wander around enough, and you will sooner or later encounter something offbeat. That is what happened yesterday morning when I found a Sage Thrasher. The Sage Thrasher is a western bird that is one of the rarest birds in … Continue reading

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Spring arrives

  The temperature now rises above freezing day and night at the bottom of the valleys. The trees begin to bloom, and skunk cabbage sprouts in moist areas. Birds mate and build nests. Migrants arrive and some pass northward. This … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, mammals, wildflowers | 4 Comments

Wild Turkey mating

  This posting either has two pictures or nine pictures depending upon your sensitivity. The survival of a species depends upon two things: food and reproduction. This is about reproduction. This posting is also about Wild Turkeys, a bird that … Continue reading

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Nesting on wooden pilings

  Wooden pilings are used by a few species for breeding. Now that these pilings are on their way out, how will this change? Metal pilings are the new standard. This is the second of a two part series on … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, commentary | 5 Comments