Category Archives: birds

Grebe & fish

  Our four regular grebes all dive underwater to forage. The smallest of these is the Pied-billed Grebe. It mostly eats small fish and crustaceans, such as crayfish, which it captures and crushes with its stout bill and strong jaws … Continue reading

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Scoter goes astray

  Surf Scoters are really uncommon visitors to this region. In the summer, Surf Scoters breed beside small boreal lakes, all of which are at least 800 km north of here. They winter along the Pacific coast, over 400 km … Continue reading

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Soon to go

  Warm-season insectivores leave the region in October as the supply of insects and spiders diminishes. Many head for the southern USA, Mexico, or Central America. Three of these soon-to-be departed species were seen on a walk in yesterday’s sunshine. … Continue reading

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September goulash

  This September’s goulash is thin gruel: only two previously unposted images from a generally sparse month of postings. There are two unusual features to this picture of a chipmunk. I usually see chipmunks in the mountains rather than at … Continue reading

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Magpie iridescence

  Magpies do not favour this region because it is highly forested. These birds prefer open habitats with occasional clumps of trees. Consequently, there are few opportunities to capture pictures of magpie iridescence. The pigmentation of a magpie’s feathers produces … Continue reading

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Pileated in training

  It is not a regular sight to see two Pileated Woodpeckers jointly foraging on the same tree. On the two previous occasions the foragers were a male and female. As the Pileated Woodpecker is both monogamous and territorial, a … Continue reading

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Cooper’s Hawk

  It is certainly fun to spot a Cooper’s Hawk along the lakeshore, for I only get to see it about once a year. This is a raptor that mainly preys upon smaller birds.  Yet, there is something rather odd … Continue reading

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Osprey migration preparation

  Around mid-September adult ospreys migrate. They have nested, raised chicks, and sent them off on their own. Now is the time to head south for the winter. However, that requires building up fat reserves by feasting on fish. (Juvenile … Continue reading

Posted in birds, fish | 7 Comments

Spread wings

  The explanation for why a bird spreads its wings when flying is obvious: the spread wings aerodynamically support its weight. However, when a bird is standing or floating on water, its wings are normally, but not always, folded. There … Continue reading

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No theme

  When I post something to this blog, I like to have a theme — a story to tell. Alas, in the nascent days of September, I could find none. There were many images, but no theme. So, this is … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs | 1 Comment