Category Archives: birds

Stealthy birds

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Alistair

  In last two days, I have watched two remarkably stealthy birds. These are not the frenetic little scaredy-cats that flit from branch to branch. These are the largish birds that move in a stately, even lethargic, manner. The two I … Continue reading →

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Spring cleaning

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Alistair

  Two very different species visited today, and each set about doing a bit of spring cleaning.  First to come by were three deer: a doe and two fawns. This is the mother and a fawn who always stuck close … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, mammals | 7 Comments

Goose raspberry

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Alistair

  Maybe it was the warmer weather; maybe it was the switch from snow to rain; maybe it was the longer daylight; but, the testosterone in local ganders was clearly soaring. Spring is the only time of the year when … Continue reading →

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Swan dance

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Alistair

  To say that these Trumpeter Swans were dancing is clearly anthropomorphizing. Yet, while I have watched individual swans stretch their wings in this way, this was the first time I have watched a group of them gyrating as if … Continue reading →

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Trumpeter Swans

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Derek

  As the lake level drops in the spring the Swans are attracted to underwater vegetation that they can reach with their long necks. So we see them at various locations on the West Arm and the Kootenay River. A … Continue reading →

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Replacement grouse

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Alistair

  For some years, a Ruffed Grouse has been a regular visitor to my yard. Then all visits stopped. Subsequently, I learned that a local dog had been its executioner.  Two days ago, I heard the wing beats of a … Continue reading →

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Celebrity endorsement

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Alistair

  It seems that the Kaslo Chamber of Commerce has hired the ultimate celebrity endorsement: a Great Gray Owl has arrived to promote local businesses. It hardly gets any better than this. Yesterday, upon seeing this rare celebrity in town, … Continue reading →

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Great Gray Owl

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Alistair

  The Birds of British Columbia (Vol. 2, 1990) describes the Great Gray Owl as: An uncommon resident in the northern interior and rare resident to the southern interior. Few bird enthusiasts around here have seen one, but today in … Continue reading →

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Kill, pose, limn

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Alistair

  I was perusing a digital copy of John Fannin’s Checklist of the birds of British Columbia (1891), when I ran across an illustration of a Merlin (well, it was often called a Pigeon Hawk, at that time).   The … Continue reading →

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Dipper’s Goldilocks

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Alistair

  It has been cold (as my recent postings about ice on the Lake and creeks attest). Weather forecasts suggest that the air temperature is about to rise and is unlikely to plummet as low again this winter. This may … Continue reading →

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