Category Archives: birds

Fool the birds

  Many birds feast on insects. Some of these insects can fight back, some cannot. If you are one of those tasty, but defenceless insects, what better tactic could you develop than to make the bird think you were actually a well … Continue reading

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Osprey season begins

  The Osprey is the iconic bird of the Kootenay Lake summer. Indeed, the Main Lake ferry is named for it. There are often 20 to 30 Osprey nests along the West Arm alone. This morning, I saw my first … Continue reading

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Junco jamboree

  The Dark-eyed Junco is a sparrow. While it might be seen around the Lake at any time of the year, it is most common in the spring when juncos that wintered to the south of us pass through this … Continue reading

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KAB walk

  Yesterday, I was fortunate to have joined the Kaslo Area Birders for a walk at the north end of the Lake. While others looked for birds, I looked for bird pictures. Here are four shots I liked. A Mountain … Continue reading

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Hard-luck woodpecker

  This is a tale of a Pileated Woodpecker and two Merlins. A woodpecker was calling, so I wandered around until I found it in a tree beside a field. As I watched, the woodpecker flew across the field and … Continue reading

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Tundras arrive

  Each spring we await the arrival of swans on Kootenay Lake. Certainly, they are prominent in my phenology. Swans have already been seen recently on the South and North Arms of the Lake. Yesterday, seven Tundra Swans were reported … Continue reading

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Hoodie ripples

  A Hooded Merganser plied zebrine waters. The astute observer might guess that this posting was made solely so I could use the word zebrine. After all, I am guilty of taking as much pleasure from interesting words as from … Continue reading

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Catchup

  If I head outdoors, I watch nature; if I watch nature, it is usually with a camera. Individual pictures that do not merit postings of their own, pile up. Here are a recent few. A squirrel presents its backside … Continue reading

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Eagles, three

  It is odd that sometimes I see birds in clusters. Normally, I only see Bald Eagles now and then. Although they are here year round, a week or two may pass between sightings. Yet, today I saw three along … Continue reading

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A few raptors

  The best things seen on yesterday’s sunny Sunday were raptors. Most were at a considerable distance and so have a middling image quality; the last bird was near at hand and so is sharpest. Pictures are presented in the order taken. … Continue reading

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