Category Archives: birds

Harlequin hunting

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Alistair

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

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Alistair

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

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Alistair

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

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Alistair

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

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Alistair

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

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Alistair

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

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Alistair

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 →

Posted in birds | 2 Comments

Birds 4, fish 0

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Alistair

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

Kingfisher returns

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Alistair

Yesterday’s posting, Heron’s good minute, resulted when a kingfisher was trumped by the greater drama. The juvenile Belted Kingfisher (possibly smarting from the earlier neglect) returned this morning and posed.

Posted in birds | 3 Comments

Heron’s good minute

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Alistair

I have sought shots such as these for years. It is surprising that in all the time I have spent watching the Great Blue Heron hunt for fish, I had not seen it catch and eat one (although, I had seen one … Continue reading →