Category Archives: birds

  The arrival of Red-winged Blackbirds is a sign of pending spring; They have now been observed in Nelson over the last week. Twice I have tried to get shots of them, but they tended to hide in the brush. … Continue reading →

  For the past few days, there have been seven Trumpeter Swans visiting the shallows to the south and west of Kokanee Creek Park. I visited them early this morning. On their spring migration north, both swan species often stop … Continue reading →

  Dipper – the eyelid flashes white when it blinks! This is so different from any other bird that it begs for an explanation.         David Sybley A dipper has both a dark plumage and dark eyes. … Continue reading →

  Last November, I received an enquiry about dippers from the production crew of a nature film: …it is quite surprising to see a bird which is not a penguin swimming under ice! Do you think that there are any … Continue reading →

  My yard lies within the range of a few Ruffed Grouse. I don’t see them every day, but often enough that I get to track some of the species’ idiosyncrasies.  It is winter, and the Ruffed Grouse often now … Continue reading →

  The -kins are getting together. Siskins are little finches that are partial to eating seeds. Catkins are pods of seeds hanging from some broad-leafed trees. The two are clearly kins.  Pine Siskins are with us year round. They travel … Continue reading →

  I took an indifferent picture of a Brown Creeper this morning. Indeed, it is barely worth posting — except for the backstory: with this creeper it is four for four. I have seen a Brown Creeper four times, and … Continue reading →