Category Archives: birds

  Now and then, I have watched a loon rise out of the water and flap its wings. Why is it doing this? The Web gives me conflicting explanations of this behaviour. Some sources explain that this is merely an … Continue reading →

  Of late, raptors have become more apparent. A week ago, a Great Horned Owlet was still in its downy plumage. I see a Red-tailed Hawk only a few times a year. This one was soaring overhead. The next day … Continue reading →

  Spotted Sandpipers are somewhat unusual for they have a sexual role reversal: Males are largely passive; Females are territorial, sexually aggressive, and promiscuous. Previous years, I have captured scenes of sexual aggression, and mating. I now seem to have … Continue reading →

  There is a dipper’s nest under a highway bridge. The nest has been featured here in other years: 2016, 2015. Over the winter, the nest was damaged, but the dippers still used it. Dipper parents frequently brought things to … Continue reading →

  Our local Great Horned Owl has received recent postings: Great Horned Owl, Then there were two. Now, the third owlet has appeared.  As the interval between laying one egg and the next is a few days for the Great … Continue reading →

  Yesterday, I posted pictures of Great Horned Owls and their owlet. Today, there are two owlets. Might tomorrow bring three? Two Great Horned Owlets look out from their nest.  

  The Great Horned Owl is widely spread across North America. It is also fairly common, yet not particularly easy to find. There is, however, a local nest site that had been used other years. It merited exploratory visits. With … Continue reading →

  When I think of yard birds, I think of robins, Steller’s Jays, and Song Sparrows. I don’t think of Mallard chicks and teals. But, there they were wandering about my front yard. Mallard chicks explore the grass at the … Continue reading →

  Loons are not the only predator that has a rather low capture rate. Certainly, when I watch loons fish, I marvel at how often they dive to no apparent effect. Yet, sometimes…. A Common Loon swam by this morning … Continue reading →