Category Archives: birds

September goulash

  In this posting, a diverse collection of this month’s leftovers are used in a goulash. The only home of painted turtles near Nelson has long been the pond at Grohman Narrows Park (see loafing time). Yet, in late September, this turtle was seen in a pond … Continue reading

Posted in birds, herptiles, mammals, wildflowers | 5 Comments

Harlequin finale

  The recently arrived Harlequin Duck seems to have now left Kokanee Creek. She will be heading to the Coast. Such a migration is a little odd: Other migrating ducks travel north and south; Harlequins travel east and west. Why did this … Continue reading

Posted in birds | 4 Comments

Harlequin hunting

  The first observations of Harlequin Ducks on Kokanee Creek this century were made this May at which time the males appeared in their breeding finery. Now, for about a week, a Harlequin has been seen on the creek again. The breeding season … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, fish | 4 Comments

Flying yellow

  Within about five minutes I watched two yellowish, but very different, flying things. Although first thought to be a Nashville Warbler, Carlo is correct (comments): This bird is a Common Yellowthroat. The second is a Sulphur (butterfly), probably an … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs | 3 Comments

Sunday’s hooks

  It is a rule of thumb that a hooked bill is used to tear meat to be eaten. Yet, of the hooks seen during last Sunday’s drive, some don’t quite fit the rule.  Perhaps a dozen Turkey Vultures were seen through … Continue reading

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Osprey adult

  And yet another posting about an Osprey and a fish? Yes, for today I managed a picture of an adult Osprey that complemented the juvenile posted two days ago. That one showed a juvenile with orange eyes and dipped-in-cream … Continue reading

Posted in birds, fish | 4 Comments

Riveting orange

  Juvenile Ospreys have now been driven from the nest (see last year’s, It’s time you went) and are now out fishing on their own.  Juveniles are distinctive, and now is the brief time to see them before they migrate … Continue reading

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Killdeer

  Throughout the summer, I wondered why I had not seen a Killdeer, our most common plover. Granted, I had seen a number of other shorebirds: Spotted Sandpiper, American Avocet and Wilson’s Phalarope, Semi-palmated Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper. Yesterday, I … Continue reading

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Cooper’s Hawk

  When the bird darted across my path, I guessed it was a Merlin. However, a Merlin is smaller and prefers forest clearings to the denser brush where this bird was hunting. This was a Cooper’s Hawk, albeit an immature one.  The infrequent local … Continue reading

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Birds 4, fish 0

  Fish shown recently were being eaten by an eagle, a loon, and a heron. The fish shown now is in the clutches of an osprey. Birds have not been shown being eaten by a fish. Apparently, fish are not at the top of the food chain. An osprey … Continue reading

Posted in birds, fish | 6 Comments