Category Archives: birds

Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin

  I don’t often see the Red Crossbill and the Pine Siskin because each species wanders far. They eat seeds from the recent cones of mature coniferous forests. The crossbill will nest whenever it finds a rich crop. The siskin … Continue reading

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Osprey and fish

  In the last few days and in probably the last osprey shot of this year, I have twice seen an osprey packing a fish. Neither was as close or detailed as the earlier one, but were satisfactory none the … Continue reading

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Sabine’s still here and

  Last Saturday, we found a Sabine’s Gull at Kokanee Park. This bird was an unusual visit. Some birders made a trip to the park to see it on Monday. To our surprise, it was still there yesterday (just below … Continue reading

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Harrier chasing

  I do not see the Northern Harrier often and usually only when it is migrating through the area. The last time was two years ago. But, this was the first time that I have seen it actively chasing a … Continue reading

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Juvenile Bald Eagle

  A juvenile Bald Eagle sits, poops, and flies. This Bald Eagle is one to two years old. It had been hunting from a perch for a while. In preparation for flying, the eagle lightens its load by pooping. And … Continue reading

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Sabine’s Gull

  Sabine’s Gull is born along the Arctic Coast and spends its winters mainly along the Pacific Coast. It does not belong here. And yet here it was this Saturday. Well fair’s, fair. While most migrate over oceans, some individuals … Continue reading

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Heron and

I saw a group of herons by the lakeside. Now, the Great Blue Heron is a solitary creature during the fall and winter, so this was presumably a group of siblings. At first I notice two together, but in all … Continue reading

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Pileated Woodpecker

  Like many birds, the Pileated Woodpecker is now encouraging its young to fly around.  This male Pileated Woodpecker is likely a juvenile. Its crest is a bit small, its moustache is only slightly red, and its eyes have only … Continue reading

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Osprey captures

  Ospreys eat fish. They dive into the lake and use their feet to catch a live fish. They capture ten or more fish a day for the period of five or six months that they are here. That is … Continue reading

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Heron and fish

  A juvenile Great Blue Heron was observed in a pond alongside Kootenay Lake. It was hunting small fish. It caught three of them before flying to the other side. The heron would quietly stalk a fish. Upon a sighting, … Continue reading

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