Exploring Kootenay Lake

It is fall and the Pileated Woodpecker has decided to feed on elderberries.

Forty seven, that is the number of Bald Eagles seen on the roughly forty kilometre drive along the Lardeau River from Meadow Creek to Trout Lake. On earlier autumnal drives there, the count has ranged from as few as 6 to as many as 68.

Of course, it isn’t that I have any need to see so many eagles (although they can be fun), but a high eagle count hints at the likelihood of seeing Grizzly Bears. The links between them are the spawning Kokanee. If Kokanee are plentiful, birds and bears come to feed. Alas, no grizzlies were seen on this jaunt (although the Mountain Goats were nice)—another trip is in order.

Although eagle count numbered 47, only a few were photographed, and fewer still were worth showing. This adult in a cedar tree offered the most colourful scene.

Most, like this juvenile, merely sat on tree limbs and watched the river below.

Now and then one would fly from one vantage point to another, as did this juvenile.

Here and there, one could see an eagle chowing down on a Kokanee.

Adults were better at catching the fish than were juveniles. The adult (right) perched on driftwood while eating. A hungry juvenile (left) joined it, but waited until the adult left before daring to eat the scraps.

At this time of the year, the loon moults from its striking breeding plumage into its inconspicuous wintertime look. The first two pictures were posted earlier and are reproduced here to illustrate the two states; the last picture was taken two days ago and shows a loon in transition.

This picture of a nesting loon was posted in early June of this year. In addition to the strongly patterned back, the breeding Loon has a dark head and bill.

This loon from early May of last year shows the grey back, and crown along with a white throat and bill.

So, the loon’s moult into breeding plumage takes place in May. The reverse transition is now underway. The bill and throat of this week’s loon are already becoming lighter.

For bird watchers, September is a month to see interesting transitions: some local nesters head south for the winter; some northerly nesters arrive. The overlap presents some rich viewing of those coming and those going.

The most striking departure will be made by the Osprey. This one will likely be gone in a week.

Less conspicuous, but here through the summer and soon to leave, is the Gray Catbird.

Absent through the summer, the Western Grebe will hang out around the Lake until the end of the year, at which time it will likely leave for the Coast.

The Hooded Merganser has arrived. This picture shows two males (left, bright eyes) and two females (right, dark eyes). The two males are at different stages in their moult towards their breeding plumage.

Then there are the birds that leave one uncertain as to whether they are from here or passing through. Here are two Bald Eagles: an adult on the left and a juvenile on the right. Eagles are present year round, yet at this time, their numbers increase as more northerly nesters flow south across our region.