Category Archives: birds

Fledgling heron

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Alistair

  A fledgling Great Blue Heron performs its matutinal callisthenics.

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Raven attack

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Alistair

  Only days after a marmot accosted a local hiker, I was attacked by a raven. Had our local wildlife started to run amuck? It was easy to be reminded of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 horror-thriller, The Birds. There was no need … Continue reading →

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Airborne creatures

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Alistair

  Here are some recent shots of things in the air. A juvenile Red-tailed Hawk An osprey packing a headless fish (which is also airborne) A juvenile Bald Eagle in (perhaps) its second year A female Belted Kingfisher A Merlin … Continue reading →

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Wildlife presentation

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Alistair

  When an organization invites me to give a presentation, I normally don’t bother with promotion. I make an exception for Science in the Park at Kokanee Creek — thus, this posting. This will be the fourth year I have … Continue reading →

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Osprey family

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Alistair

  During summer, the Friends of Kootenay Lake survey local Ospreys. The objective is not just a monitoring of these magnificent birds, but an indirect monitoring of the Lake, for the bird’s success depends upon clear and bountiful waters. I … Continue reading →

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Merlin bathing beauty

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Alistair

  When it is hot out, young folk like to wade in the Lake. However, this particular young bather was unexpected: a Merlin. That the bird is this year’s hatch is clear from the slight bit of white down remaining … Continue reading →

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Eagle’s claw

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Alistair

 

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Pelicans

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Alistair

  “The White Pelican is huge, endangered, and here.” That is how I began my only previous posting about this bird when I last saw some four years ago. Huge: While not nearly as heavy as the Trumpeter Swan, the … Continue reading →

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Kingbirds

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Alistair

  Kingbirds are flycatchers. We are near the northwestern end of the range of two species. The Eastern Kingbird is black and white. More colourful, the Western Kingbird is grey, and yellow. An Eastern Kingbird is watching for insects from … Continue reading →

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Vultures redux

Posted on July 22, 2017 by Alistair

  It seems that a PR representative of the Union of Carrion Workers (Vulture Division) must read my blog. A week ago, I commented that I had only ever seen Turkey Vultures flying, but never perched. Apparently, the Vulture Local … Continue reading →

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