Category Archives: mammals

Useful resources

  As I attempt to use images from my camera to help me make sense of my surroundings, I have relied upon many books (ranging over topics such as birds, meteorological optics and dragonflies) and upon many websites (examples being Wikipedia and All about … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, commentary, fish, herptiles, mammals | 1 Comment

Hidden pond

  In the West Arm Provincial Park (in the South Selkirks, above Kootenay Lake), there is pond known to few other than wildlife. Doug Thorburn watches it and has sent me pictures showing the visits of three cervids.  White-tailed Deer Elk … Continue reading

Posted in mammals | 1 Comment

Clark’s Nutcracker

  While Clark’s Nutcrackers are occasionally seen at lake level, they prefer subalpine forests where they (mainly) eat the seeds found in the cones of evergreens. I wouldn’t have known where to look, but Derek Kite drove me twenty kilometres up … Continue reading

Posted in birds, mammals | 2 Comments

Eyes of prey

  The Ruffed Grouse is low on the food chain. A wide range of predators—hawks, owls, coyote, humans—find it tasty. Maybe only a tenth of these grouse makes it past its first year. A recent posting, staring contests, explored the differences … Continue reading

Posted in birds, mammals | 1 Comment

Mountain Goats’ wool

  In June, Mountain Goats look either shaggy or pristine: An adult sheds its winter’s coat; A kid sports fresh wool. 

Posted in mammals | 1 Comment

Staring contests

  A staring contest is a game in which an individual stares into another’s eyes and attempts to maintain unblinking eye contact for longer than the opponent. It is the rare human who can win a staring contest with a White-tailed Deer.  Yet, … Continue reading

Posted in birds, mammals | 4 Comments

May goulash

  This is a stew made of photographic ingredients that didn’t merit individual postings. This disheveled-looking bird is probably a House Finch. A male White-tailed Deer was browsing along the lakeshore. And then there was a (garter) snake in the grass. … Continue reading

Posted in birds, herptiles, mammals | 1 Comment

Not camera dross

  I don’t always look at the contents of my camera’s memory card immediately. Having taken pictures of things around me, I quickly move on. Yet, now and then, things I thought were dross, turn out well. Here are a … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, mammals | 3 Comments

Muskrat grazing

  I assumed that after the variety of yesterday, I would lie low today, but then a muskrat stopped by. Muskrats get a bad rap: They aren’t rats, they are large aquatic voles; They don’t attack swimmers, they are herbivores. … Continue reading

Posted in mammals | 2 Comments

Bountiful watching

  Nature watching has been bountiful in the last few days. In addition to the just posted toads in amplexus and the dipper chicks, some things seen were: A Cliff Swallow peeking out of its nest; A marmot contemplating (“You disparaged … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, herptiles, mammals | 3 Comments