Category Archives: birds

Heron snacks

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Alistair

  A Great Blue Heron was snacking in a pond. Well, it probably would have been happy for somewhat larger fare than the minnows being caught. However, it persisted and snacked on a great many of them. The heron would … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 5 Comments

Four flyers

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Alistair

  Following the posting about three mammals, it is appropriate to treat birds — well, things that fly. And this includes insects. A damselfly is a common feature of lakeside living in the summer. But, not this one. When damselflies … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs | 1 Comment

August goulash

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Alistair

  This comprises a group of August’s images that lacked postings of their own. It is a mixture of local shots and ones from the around Vancouver. Yet, the Coastal ones are all of creatures (one fishy exception) also found … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish, mammals | 8 Comments

Requiem for a snag

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Alistair

  I didn’t know the tree when it was alive and bore leaves. Indeed, I don’t even know what species it was. I had known it only as a large snag and a wildlife tree for the last four years. … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, commentary | 5 Comments

Away views: heron & crane

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Alistair

  I was at the Coast for three weeks so watched wildlife. Birds were seen mostly. The species I will show in the next few postings can all be seen at Kootenay Lake — herons are common here year round, … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 3 Comments

Heron drag

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Alistair

  This posting is about the aerodynamic drag on a flying Great Blue Heron. So why open with pictures of the Sandhill Crane? Well, the two species are often confused. Further, they have different strategies for minimizing aerodynamic drag. We … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 3 Comments

Flying fish

Posted on August 21, 2021 by Alistair

  Problem month: Unlike my usual ten or so postings a month, for the last thirty days, I made only one. The blog, itself, vanished, and even when it was restored, the subscriber emailer did not work. Add to this, … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, commentary, fish | 5 Comments

Restoration goulash

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Alistair

  A week ago, this blog crashed: earlier postings could not be seen and nothing more could be posted. The blog is now restored. A week ago, the wildfire smoke became intolerable, and I headed west to find cleaner air. … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals | 1 Comment

Merlin 1, Catbird 0

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Alistair

  The Merlin is the larger of our two regular falcons. It often takes songbirds by approaching them rapidly from below and behind in their blind spot. On this occasion a juvenile Merlin had captured and killed a Grey Catbird.  … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 2 Comments

July’s hummers

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Alistair

  Our three regular hummingbirds arrive in April to breed. First males come, soon followed by females. The three species are Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned. I have not seen a Calliope since early May (although others have) so I only … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 3 Comments