Category Archives: birds

August goulash

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Alistair

  In this posting, the fridge is scoured and eight leftovers are added to a goulash. A Columbian Ground Squirrel looks regal as it surveys its domain.  A Great Blue Heron looks like a pterodactyl as it balances in a tree. A female Common Whitetail Dragonfly … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, bugs, mammals | 2 Comments

Thief

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Alistair

  The redfish (Kokanee, which are landlocked Sockeye Salmon) are spawning again. Crowds of people have gathered to watch them; a Black Bear helps himself to the fish; mallards await the tasty eggs; gulls stand by, and ravens gorge on … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 2 Comments

Loon feasting

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Alistair

  Photographing loons can be a challenge. The birds tend to avoid people and stay well offshore in deep water. Nevertheless, over the years, I have accrued some close views and even some of loons on nests and others swimming with … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | Comments Off on Loon feasting

Peeps in transit

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Alistair

  When I spotted five little sandpipers along the muddy outwash of a creek, I knew that they were not our local staple, the Spotted Sandpiper. It was only when I shared pictures with other birders that I learned that I had seen … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 1 Comment

Eagle, fish, raven

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Alistair

  This is a saga of an eagle (two-year old Bald), a fish (refused to offer ID), and a raven (bad guy of this piece). “I don’t know why you are looking up at me. This is my fish and you … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, fish | 5 Comments

Osprey attacks heron

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Alistair

  The first evidence I heard of the titanic battle was the repeated cries of a heron sounding the cacophony of a harassed soul.   Far out onto the Lake, in the dim light of a driving rainstorm, two birds waged war. … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 2 Comments

Cedar waxwing

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Alistair

  The Cedar Waxwing is neither a common summer visitor nor a rare one. While I have taken shots of it before, this view shows the red waxy feather tips after which the bird is named.

Posted in birds | Comments Off on Cedar waxwing

Heron leapfrog

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Alistair

  It looked rather as if it were an avian version of leapfrog. Two juvenile herons repeatedly shifted their foraging location along the shore. Yet, as they moved one at a time, and the second always flew past the first, … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 5 Comments

Thunk

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Alistair

  It seems that you are never too young to start a career of colliding with windows. Following a resounding thunk, this juvenile robin sat motionless on a porch roof below the offending window. After about ten minutes, it flew off. 

Posted in birds | 3 Comments

Alula landing

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Alistair

  A bird’s deployment of alulae is a remarkably transient event. If you blink, you will probably miss it, for each event lasts less than half a second. Yet, it is fun to spot these bits of aerodynamic wizardry which perform the … Continue reading →

Posted in birds | 1 Comment