This unconscionably long posting presents the results of a full day of watching species around the Lake.
Yesterday, the Kaslo and Area Birders held a bird walk at the north end of the Lake. They graciously allowed others to join them so I did. Participating in such a walk has many advantages: many experienced eyes and ears discover things that a single less experienced birder easily misses; the insights gained from listening to the best birders go well beyond those found in guide books; one discovers previously unknown habitats; there is the delight of spending time with a group of interesting people. I learned much and saw three new species. Satisfying.
Despite the advantages of an organized bird walk, there is one disadvantage: it does not facilitate good bird pictures. The presence of a large number of people limits the unobtrusive approach such images usually require.
Below are a number of pictures taken shortly before, during and shortly after the walk and presented in roughly chronological order. With one exception—the downy woodpecker—the best pictures were not taken during the walk. While many more species were seen, only the tolerably acceptable images are shown below: Raccoon, Dark–eyed Junco, Elk, deer (opinions differ as to the species), Columbian Ground Squirrel, Say’s Pheobe, Downy Woodpecker, Evening Grosbeak, Northern Shrike, Turkey Vulture, Townsend’s Solitaire.
