Category Archives: birds

Pornithology

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Alistair

  Derek Kite took this impressive picture of copulating kestrels three days ago. The female’s tail feathers have been raised to the point that they extend past the male’s head. More pictures from his sequence can be seen on his … Continue reading →

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Protective geese

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Alistair

  If any locals are concerned that we might run out of Canada Geese this year, fear not. There is a large, fresh, crop preparing to embellish our lawns and parks. Usually when I see goose chicks with parents, the … Continue reading →

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Wood Duck nest

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Alistair

  The Wood Duck is a beautiful oddity. The duck’s scientific name acknowledges its striking plumage; Aix sponsaa means waterfowl in wedding raiment. Although not unique in its oddity, it is unusual in that it chooses a tree in which to nest. … Continue reading →

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Tasty spider, m’dear?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Alistair

  Clint Saunders showed me some nuthatches nesting in a snag in his yard. So, I pointed my camera. White-breasted Nuthatches carve out their own nest and then smear pitch around the entrance, probably to keep other creatures out. During … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs | 4 Comments

April catchup

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Alistair

  This is a mishmash of birds seen around the region in the last week. Red-tailed Hawk Brewer’s Blackbird Red-necked Grebe Killdeer Cinnamon Teal Northern Shovelers Tree Swallows Wood Ducks Eurasian Collared Dove  

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Casting a pellet

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Alistair

  Regurgitation is not a warm and fuzzy topic. Yet, it is an integral part of being a raptor or an owl. When a bird of prey eats another animal, it generally consumes everything: meat, bones, fur, feet and bills. … Continue reading →

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3G connection

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Alistair

The three Gs stand for goldeneye, grouse, and grebe; the connection is that they are all birds seen yesterday morning. To this is added a bluebird, seen immediately following the Gs. Shown is a Common Goldeneye couple seen in the … Continue reading →

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Lardeau walk

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Alistair

  This Monday, the Kaslo Area Birders sponsored a walk of the Lardeau. Of course, I immediately thought about how it compared with the Beaver Creek walk sponsored by the West Kootenay Naturalists only two days earlier. The geography was different, so the … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals | 4 Comments

Beaver Creek walk

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Alistair

  Michael McMann led a group from the West Kootenay Naturalists on a walk around Beaver Creek Park on Saturday. Many species of birds were seen, but only a few of them are represented in my pictures. The first thing … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals, wildflowers | 3 Comments

Hoodie whoopie

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Alistair

    This looked promising. A pair of Hooded Mergansers arrived on a pond yesterday and each then erected its crest. Each presented the other with a side view, the better to display their crests to good effect. Hoodies have … Continue reading →

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