I saw my first American Dipper in Kokanee Creek some years ago. Since then I have seen them there, along the lakeshore, and in alpine lakes. However, these pictures were again taken at Kokanee Creek.
The dipper is an unusual bird: it is a song bird that hunts for invertebrates under the waters of fast flowing cold streams and along the adjacent lakeshore. It peers under the water and even dives and walks along the bottom.
The wing feathers that are edged in white show this to be a juvenile. Also, note the dipper’s feet; they are not webbed, but adapted for walking on the bottom.
The dipper stands in a shallow portion of the stream. Its body casts a shadow on the water which enables one to easily see to the stream bottom and the feet.
The dipper peers into the stream for things to eat. In slightly deeper water, it will dive and forage along the bottom.
