Category Archives: birds

  Derek Kite showed me where to find Mountain Bluebirds only three kilometers from my home. The first five times I looked, none were to be seen. The sixth time, there they were—precisely where I had failed to find them … Continue reading →

  I have often seen a Red-tailed Hawk in the trees along a lakeside road. Sometimes, the hawk is being harassed by ravens; they try to drive it away. The usual response of the hawk is, indeed, to leave. Yesterday, I saw the hawk … Continue reading →

  Today, I set out to see one of the Mountain Bluebirds that had been reported recently in Kokanee Creek Park. I headed out a few times. I failed to see one. I will keep looking—the bird is worth seeing. … Continue reading →

  The Horned Grebe is frequently seen on the Lake, except, alas, when it is in its spectacular breeding plumage. From May to September it heads farther north to breed. Nevertheless, while it is here, it is fun to watch … Continue reading →

Sometimes the horizontal format, which I use for most of my pictures, does not suit an image. That is the case for this view of the Ruffed Grouse, a bird whose range seems to include my yard. Both intricacy and beauty … Continue reading →

  I had assumed that my posting about the ogopogo would be the last one for March, but I had counted on neither a train wreck nor many agitated herons. Ah well, life doesn’t follow my agenda. Yesterday morning I received a message … Continue reading →

  During the Spring migration last year I only saw Tundra Swans—no Trumpeters at all. This year, I have seen both species, but most have been Trumpeters. Between the three pictures, below, I show the fourteen Trumpeters that were hanging … Continue reading →

  On March 3, Derek Kite reported a leucistic goose on the Lake. Today, I also saw it, but now with its mate. Leucism describes a defect in cells where patches on the body’s surface lack pigment. The Canada Goose … Continue reading →

  A half-dozen or more Tundra Swans have arrived at Robert’s Bay. Almost all Tundra Swans can be identified by their yellow lores (lore: the region between the eye and the bill). Not all Tundras show this spot, and when … Continue reading →