Bear colour

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Alistair

 

Black Bears are so called because all are apparently black on the east side of the continent where they were named. 

However around here, Black Bears come in a remarkable range of hues: black, chocolate, cinnamon, beige, cream, and white. These variations result from colour morphs, not from being subspecies. Indeed, various colours can be seen within one family (rather like hair colour in humans).

Below are two Black Bears, each of which was a first-of-the-season observation.

Karen Pidcock saw this handsome cinnamon bear strolling through her yard two days ago.

This black bear was seen munching on greens in the high country yesterday.

Karen Pidcock’s picture is used with permission.

 

Posted in mammals | 1 Comment

Dead Duck Day

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Alistair

 

A month ago, I posted a story, Mallard’s #metoo, about the gang rape of a mommy mallard. At the time, I did not relate my observations to a TED Talk, How a dead duck changed my life, I had watched some years earlier. But, the two events came together, today, on Dead Duck Day.

The Mallard has been characterized as the ubiqui-duck. Observing one does not come close to constituting an exciting sighting. Birders hardly find it worthy of much mention.

So, how did today, June 5th, come to be known as Dead Duck Day — a day which honours a mallard in Holland that died while being accosted? It is now a day when mallard fans gather at restaurants and feast on duck.

The story is told at Today I Found Out, but the circumstances prompting it turns out to be the proclivity towards rape by the male Mallard.

So, my posting, the TED talk, and the article about Dead Duck Day, all came together.

A scene from my posting about mallard rape.

 

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Seasonal birds

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Alistair

 

Birds come and go. Here are a few to be seen in June.

The Cedar Waxwing is primarily a bird of the warm season. It breeds around the Lake.

The Warbling Vireo is only found around here from May to September.

While the male Common Merganser is with us year round, he only appears in his breeding plumage for another month and a half.

The male Blue-winged Teal (right) will lose his breeding plumage in another few weeks.

The Cliff Swallow is only seen locally during the period of May to August.

The Robin can be seen at any time of the year, but its hunting of worms is a springtime event.

 

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KCPP boardwalk

Posted on June 2, 2018 by Alistair

 

Two years ago, I took a picture of the boardwalk in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park. This path links the creek with the the spawning channel and the Nature Centre. I noted then that plans were underfoot to replace the boardwalk with something offering greater accessibility. The earlier picture I took is shown first. The new boardwalk opened today and a similar view of it appears below.

This is the boardwalk as it was. At the top is a bridge over the spawning channel which also leads to the Nature Centre. At the lower left the boardwalk winds around to the bridge over Kokanee Creek itself. At the lower right is passage along the spawning channel. This is all now replaced.

The new boardwalk is similarly arranged. At the top is a bridge over the spawning channel which also leads to the Nature Centre. At the lower left the boardwalk winds around to the bridge over Kokanee Creek itself. At the lower right is passage along the spawning channel. However, the boardwalk is much broader and more gently sloped. It is fine craftsmanship which allows easier and safer passage, along with potentially better views of the spawning kokanee.

 

The Park has done a fine job of offering both access and passage.

 

Posted in commentary, scenes | 5 Comments

Wet slipper

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Alistair

 

May postings began with two wildflowers: a lily (Glacier Lily), and a wild orchid (Fairy Slipper). Their tenure is now over.

June postings begin with two more wildflowers: another lily (Queen’s Cup), and another wild orchid (Mountain Lady’s Slipper).

The Queen’s Cup was spread across the forest floor in the thousands.

This is one of only six Mountain Lady’s Slippers found among the myriad of Queen’s Cups. A recent shower has festooned this uncommon wild orchid with raindrops.

 

Posted in wildflowers | 4 Comments

Kokanee Creek mouth

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Alistair

 

At 534.06 metres, the Lake is still a half metre below the peak flood level of 2012. However, it has been enough to flood some trails in the low parts of Kokanee Creek Park. The Lake is expected to continue to rise.

This is today’s view of the mouth of the creek and the flooded grasslands to either side of it.

 

Posted in weather | 3 Comments

Merganser mommy

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Alistair

 

Postings this May have been dramatic: spatting redwing blackbirds, loons fighting, mallard being raped, grizzlies foraging, many mating toads. Maybe it is time for a lovely, but non-dramatic, sighting: a family of Common Mergansers.

Two merganser chicks ride on mommy’s back while five more draft her.

 

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Party toads

Posted on May 23, 2018 by Alistair

 

The Western Toad certainly knows how to throw an orgy. There were many dozen of them in the shallows mating promiscuously cheek by jowl.

The mating technique of these toads is called amplexus. Amplexus (Latin for embrace) is a type of external fertilization in which a male grasps a female with his front legs and fertilizes the eggs as they are released from her body.

Three couples couple. Each male has grasped a female from above.

Sometimes mating takes place entirely underwater.

Sometimes it takes place mainly out of water. 

And sometimes, it is a bit of each. 

Strings of eggs can be seen extending from the mating couple. 

It seems that there is often conflict. Here is an idyllic scene, but… 

when an interloper tries to take the male’s place, it is kicked away. 

There are two mating couples here.

“This has been a good orgy. Let’s do it again some time.” 

 

Posted in herptiles | 4 Comments

Rapidity of May

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Alistair

 

The rapidity of May is the speed of change that takes place as the region shifts from winter to summer. Events pile up on my camera. Here are a few of them.

The rising waters of the Lake overflow a walkway.

Otters dive, briefly leaving only their tails above the water.

This Wild Turkey is ready for love and looking good.

A pipit has migrated into the region.

A Western Kingbird. 

An Eastern Kingbird watches its insect-prey. 

The Eastern Kingbird flies after an insect. 

A Hover Fly visits a flower.

A browsing White-tailed Deer is in transition: starting its antlers; shedding its winter pelage.

Painted Turtles on a loafing log are the picture of tranquility. 

Harlequin Ducks have returned. 

The Spotted Sandpiper is back and feeding on grubs along the shore. 

Western Bluebirds successfully hunt insects from a great mullein.

A female Kestrel harasses a Red-tailed Hawk. 

The Spring Azure only shows the blue of the wings when it is flying.

No treatment of May would be complete without mentioning the arrival of Osprey at local nests.

 

Posted in birds, bugs, herptiles, mammals | 6 Comments

Grizzlies at dawn

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Alistair

 

At dawn and dusk for a few spring weeks, Grizzly Bears come down from the high country to visit marshy lowlands. One might think that they come for the skunk cabbage — apparently not. It seems that the attraction is the water parsnip. The roots of this plant are edible for a short time before it flowers. Grizzlies know this.

Two Grizzly Bears feast on what is likely the fresh roots of the water parsnip. 

A bear stands to sniff the air when it is curious about something. 

Buddies.

 

Posted in mammals | 6 Comments