Category Archives: birds

There is something atavistic about loons. Is it their stark plumage? Their haunting calls? Their wilderness preference? Perhaps it is all of these. The loons below were seen in the early morning, yesterday and today, as they patrolled parallel to … Continue reading →

  In the spring a young man’s osprey’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. Alfred Lord Tennison, 1835 He glances over at his inamorata. He visits. They separate. They rest.

The Kootenay Lake website offers a discussion and many pictures of local ospreys. Ospreys are back at the Lake. If they have been here previously, they will usually reclaim an earlier nest. If the bird is a first–time breeder or … Continue reading →

The male Hooded Merganser in breeding plumage is one of the most comely ducks in the neighbourhood. Yet, it is not seen all that often. The Kootenay Lake website offers other pictures of local mergansers on the page about diving … Continue reading →

Migration is hard work. The Tundra Swans that visit Kootenay Lake have travelled only about 800 kilometres of a 2,800 kilometre journey to the tundra of the Canadian Arctic where they will breed. Feeding and rest stops along the way are … Continue reading →

  Swans have been seen at the two ends of the Main Lake for some weeks now. But, prior to this morning, I had seen none along the West Arm. In April, I normally watch for swans at Robert’s Bay … Continue reading →

Today I saw my first Merlin of 2011. It was hunting at a place I have seen Merlins other years.  (I thought I had found one earlier in the month, but that bird turned out to be a Sharp-shinned Hawk). Beyond … Continue reading →

This same grouse has appeared in this blog before as Perfect camouflage. There is also a page on the Kootenay Lake website about local grouse. I think I have a grouse in residence. I have seen a Ruffed Grouse beside … Continue reading →