Category Archives: birds

  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 →

  I see a Pileated Woodpecker only a few times a year, and only saw two together once before. So, it was a treat to watch a pair of them on a tree trunk in the fading light of yesterday. … Continue reading →

  A year ago, I watched two ospreys soaring over the land well away from the water. This struck me as odd. It is normal for an osprey to soar over the lake where it hunts for fish. But, why … Continue reading →

  After a week or so’s absence, Mountain Bluebirds reappeared at Kokanee Creek Park. While they do breed around here, I suspect that the departures have to do with those birds that were stopping by on their way to breed … Continue reading →

  There are many species that pass through our region. Some breed and raise their young here; many are tourists that only pause for a while, feed, and move on. Sometimes it is difficult to tell who was hatched and … Continue reading →

  Turkey Vultures return in mid-March, but these seen yesterday were the first I had noticed. Three of five Turkey Vulture were captured in one shot as they soared on high. They are recognizable, even from a distance, by the … Continue reading →

  This is the mating season for geese (as it is for many other species). The implication is that there will be great attentiveness and tenderness between mates. However, along with this goes protectiveness. When another male wishes to possess … Continue reading →