Monthly Archives: June 2024

Horned Grebe

  Kootenay Lake has Horned Grebes, but the area is just south of the breeding region, so the bird almost always appears in its non-breeding plumage. It is correspondingly rare to see one in its breeding plumage and yesterday was … Continue reading

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Sapsuckers nesting

  The drilled rows of holes in a tree are the work of the Red-naped Sapsucker, a western woodpecker. I start with an old picture of the sapsucker and the drilled holes. Yet, it isn’t frequently that one sees one … Continue reading

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Headdress

  Around sunset last night, I was watching an adult male Northern Flicker stare out of a nest cavity where it had presumably brought food for a yet-to-appear chick. As it flew off, I pressed the camera button. The momentary … Continue reading

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Crab spider

  The season of daisies is upon us, so it is time to watch for crab spiders. These cunning predators habit wildflowers (apparently daisies preferred) and attack and eat those who come to seek nectar. If you start looking for … Continue reading

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Tadpoles

  Tadpoles have been seen for a week in Kokanee Creek Park. These tadpoles are the larvae of the Western Toad. First, the stage is set by going back about 5 weeks to the time of amplexus. (Actually it is … Continue reading

Posted in herptiles | 2 Comments

Tree Swallows mating

  Mating among birds, while essential for survival, goes by amazingly quickly. For these Tree Swallows, from the arrival picture to the departure picture, only a second transpired. But the mating was accomplished. A male flies to a female, who … Continue reading

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Yellow warbler nest

  The Yellow Warbler is a long-distant migrant that is here from May to September. But just try to photograph it. It is small and very fast as it flits from place to place. My daughter, Cynthia, found a nest … Continue reading

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Dipper chicks

  This year, I did not catch dipper chicks in the nest. But we did capture them in the creek being fed by a parent. Three dipper chicks stand with their mouths agape and their wings raised as they beg … Continue reading

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Marmot pups

  This is the time to watch our new yellow-bellied marmot pups. They face their world sometimes with curiosity, sometimes with caution, and sometimes just play. This was a family shoot. There are two pictures by daughter, Cynthia, two pictures … Continue reading

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Osprey mating

  Osprey mating does not occur throughout the year, but rather only over a limited time in the spring. The Osprey mating season is now nearing its completion, but, for some, it is still taking place. This male spent its … Continue reading

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