Category Archives: mammals

Ospreys, coyote

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Alistair

  One can divide the lakeside year into two seasons: no ospreys, ospreys. The arrival of an osprey on the West Arm yesterday marked the beginning of our osprey season. Mind you, a few other ospreys have already been spotted … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals | 2 Comments

Ogopogo

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Alistair

  It was the churning water, the splashing, and the spreading waves that drew my attention to an unreasonably long and sinuous animal with a whipping tail and fish-devouring jaws. Yikes, it is an OGOPOGO !!!  ( ← Note my hyperbolic use of … Continue reading →

Posted in commentary, mammals | 22 Comments

Elk in rain

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Alistair

  When I travel almost anywhere locally, I tote my camera. It usually sits unused—but now and then, something interesting turns up. Last evening was such an occasion. In rain and failing light, I saw a half-dozen female elk. Elk … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals | 6 Comments

Playing catchup

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Alistair

  This posting plays catchup with last week’s scenes and adds this morning’s muskrat. A muskrat forages at dawn. A female Pine Grosbeak looks regal. A squirrel enjoys a cone for breakfast. A heron’s wings are coloured by the Sun’s … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals | 2 Comments

March marmot

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Alistair

  Sources suggest that the Yellow-bellied Marmot emerges from hibernation some time between mid April and early May depending on climatic conditions and snowpack. What can one conclude about this marmot photographed at noon on March 23rd? It was seen somewhat west of … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals | 4 Comments

Window seat

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Alistair

When coming or and going from this region, I usually drive; this weekend was different: I flew. (I like airplanes; it’s airports I don’t like.) Airplanes provide a wonderful platform for viewing the natural world, so I always request a … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, weather | 4 Comments

It’s leap day

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Alistair

  Here are is a baker’s-dozen pictures of leaping offered in honour of February 29th. One White-tailed Deer leaps over another. A Bald Eagle leaps off a tree branch. Mature Kokanee leap over a weir as they head upstream to … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals | 1 Comment

Eagle & otter

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Alistair

The drama took place in an early morning light that was too low for pictures of the action: a sub-adult eagle harassed an otter. The first thing I saw was the Bald Eagle prominently perched atop a piling. It looked as … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals | 2 Comments

Otter eating

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Alistair

Two postings in a row about otters—now that is unusual. In the first, I mentioned the otter’s use of a dock for its grooming, but allowed that it also used docks for eating. Two days later, the otter returned to substantiate my … Continue reading →

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Otter ablutions

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Alistair

I am beginning to think that our local River Otters appreciate docks. Just as most of our ospreys now prefer dolphins and pilings over trees for their nests, our otters seem to prefer docks over rocks and beaches for grooming. … Continue reading →

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