Category Archives: birds

High-key redpolls

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Alistair

There is an unusual form of lighting found in the natural world: the whiteout. When fog blankets a field of snow, the diffuse light leaves no shadows on nearby objects and the horizon vanishes between snow and fog. Enveloped … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, commentary | 4 Comments

Jus wanna be me

Posted on January 6, 2018 by Alistair

Going my own way.

Posted in birds, commentary | 3 Comments

Dark patagium

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Alistair

A January jaunt through the open farmland south of the Main Lake usually reveals diverse raptors: eagles, buteos, falcons and owls. Adding to these flying predators, coyotes prowl the fields. Not so yesterday. The fields were covered with enough … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 1 Comment

Dipper smarts

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Alistair

Dot: This is the second of two postings about the behaviour of a dipper, dubbed Dot, owing to a white spot on its back. Once thought to be a uniquely human characteristic, the use of tools is considered a … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs | 5 Comments

Dipper amidst ice

Posted on December 29, 2017 by Alistair

This will be a two-part posting about Dot, the dipper. It is not unusual for a dipper to be featured on this blog. Although, not a common bird, I happen to live near dipper central and manage to watch … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 7 Comments

Wearing red

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Alistair

“It is my understanding that this is a good day to eat well and wear a red cap.”

Posted in birds | 8 Comments

Whither tundras?

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Alistair

Seeing seven swans yesterday was both a pleasure and a disappointment. It was a pleasure to be able to watch these magnificent Trumpeter Swans; Yet, it was a disappointment that once again, they were Trumpeters rather than Tundras. Two … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 2 Comments

Irruptive winter?

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Alistair

Irruptive species of birds are ones that don’t migrate to a particular region every winter. Rather, they do so some winters, but not others. This year is shaping up to be a good year for seeing irruptive species around … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 1 Comment

Dipper hunts eggs

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Alistair

The dipper is an unusual songbird. It dives in cold, swift mountain streams for delectables that are usually found on the stream bed. What it eats depends somewhat on the season: often aquatic arthropods in the summer, fish eggs … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 6 Comments

Iron-rich mud

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Alistair

Swans have white plumage — eh? The Trumpeter Swan near the mouth of Kokanee Creek is still there. Yestermorn, it was close enough to the shore for a detailed view. A striking feature of our subject is that its … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | Comments Off