Category Archives: birds

Fish fete

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Alistair

  When humans, bears and ospreys gather to watch the same thing, you know that the kokanee are spawning again.  The objects of all the interest are spawning kokanee, the speckled, red and green, landlocked sockeye salmon that take over local creeks. … Continue reading →

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Shape-shifter

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Alistair

  Six months ago I posted merganser planing. It showed pictures of swimming Common Mergansers that had moved from displacement mode to planing mode. Most things moving across the surface of water do so in displacement mode: they are moving … Continue reading →

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Osprey diversion

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Alistair

  Osprey chicks are still in the nest but are now as large as adults and easy to see. Yesterday, I had expected to go on a nest-monitoring tour to estimate this year’s chick production. Alas, the tour was rescheduled, … Continue reading →

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Sandpiper migrants

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Alistair

  This is the time of year to see non-resident sandpipers as they pass through our region. I already showed a Greater Yellowlegs. Here are two more seen this morning: a Solitary Sandpiper and … well, I don’t know what … Continue reading →

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July goulash

Posted on July 31, 2016 by Alistair

  This is an end-of-the-month collection of images, none of which has had a posting of its own. An adult Great Blue Heron flies by. A Bank Swallow parent flies in to feed a demanding chick. In July this has … Continue reading →

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Greater Yellowlegs

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Alistair

 

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Spotty chick

Posted on July 23, 2016 by Alistair

  Spotted Sandpipers are somewhat unusual birds. The females are polyandrous: they mate with many males. Consequently, in an attempt to protect (what he thinks is) his investment, the male incubates the eggs, and protects the resulting chicks. However, he … Continue reading →

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Loon preening

Posted on July 17, 2016 by Alistair

  For a loon, preening seems to be a mixture of grooming and calisthenics. I watched two loons, seemingly lollygagging about the Lake. However, they were intent upon preening, an activity with many functions. One loon waggles its foot, presumably … Continue reading →

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Robin chicks

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Alistair

  Both robin parents tend their chicks in the nest. The parent featured here is the mommy.  A female robin pauses on a branch before delivering a mouthful of worms and insects to her chicks. At the nest, four chicks … Continue reading →

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Kestrel nest

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Alistair

  It has been five years since I last managed to photograph kestrels feeding chicks in a nest (kestrel bonanza). On that occasion the chicks feasted on both bugs and a decapitated bird. This time, it was bugs and a … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals | 3 Comments