Category Archives: birds

Provincial bird

  British Columbia has an remarkably long list of provincial symbols. Its approved symbols include a mammal (a Spirit Bear—merely a cream-coated Black Bear), gemstone (Jade), tartan (BC), tree (Western Red Cedar), flower (Pacific Dogwood), and bird (Steller’s Jay). It … Continue reading

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Off leash

  I start this story with the information that all of the trails in this section of Kokanee Creek Park are clearly marked with signs that say dogs must be on leash. Furthermore, Park regulations are explicit: Pets/domestic animals must … Continue reading

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Between raindrops

  The days shorten, the clouds lower, the rain falls. Opportunities to take one’s camera for a walk diminish. Below is a grab bag of mostly birds taken between raindrops. A White-crowned Sparrow scrounges for seeds at Nelson’s waterfront. I see … Continue reading

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Loon’s foot

  The Common Loon changes its appearance between the summer, when it is in breeding plumage, and the winter, when it is not. A striking aspect of this is that not only does its plumage change with the season, but … Continue reading

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Mallard moult

    With a gazillion Mallards around the area, and each one of them moulting twice a year, one might expect to see them undergo this loss and regrowth of feathers with considerable frequency. Yet, I cannot recall having seen … Continue reading

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Speculum speculation

  The speculum feathers of various ducks are curious. These are the patches of often iridescent colour on the inner wings of many species of ducks. The colour of speculum (Latin for mirror) feathers differs from one species to another, … Continue reading

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Dipper

  This is not how I woud choose to make a living: stand in an icy and turbulent mountain creek while attempting to catch delectables in the water, but this unusual songbird does just that. Hmm, come to think of … Continue reading

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Owl wins

Joke’s on me When I posted these pictures of the owl and raven, I thought the protagonist was a Barred Owl (and made a play on the words barred and bard). I was wrong. Two competent birders assure me that the pictures … Continue reading

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Ruffed Grouse

  I have a Ruffed Grouse in my yard. Well, it doesn’t spend all of its time here as the home range of the Ruffed Grouse is perhaps twenty or so hectares. This leaves my yard as but a sliver … Continue reading

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Predawn eagle

  Last week I took a picture of an eagle at sunrise. That shot was so satisfying that I was unwilling to detract from it with supporting images or text. So, a single unadorned image was posted. Yet, prior to … Continue reading

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