Exploring Kootenay Lake

This is the season to watch chicks. Some remain in nests, but many waterfowl are already swimming.

Often the first chicks to be seen on the Lake are those of our local avis non grata, the Canada Goose. It gains this epithet by its proclivity to defecate on our lawns and fields. Balanced against this is the fact that these are the only chicks in this posting where both the male and female attend to them. This is a family bird, despite its other undesirable behaviour. 

One of the most common birds on the Lake is the Mallard. I wish her luck with her new family.

This Common Merganser female is certainly the epitome of fecundity.

This is a Hooded Merganser female. She has her own small brood.

Finally, a (Common?) Goldeneye female and her brood.

Two Spotted Sandpipers were foraging along a beach. I watched them in the hope that one might do something interesting. Other years, I had seen one catch a bug, two mate, and chicks wander by (too early for that). However, these two kept their heads down as they scoured the shoreline — until, one reared up and let forth with an impressive call. Who knows what that was all about, but I hadn’t seen (or heard) this behaviour previously.

An osprey nest platform erected only this spring has gained immediate acceptance. We look forward to the chicks.

The female osprey sits on the nest and awaits her mate.

She bends over and he lands on her back, but supports much of his weight with his wings.

She tucks her head down, but has not yet lifted her tail. He manoeuvres into position.

She lifts her tail and their cloacae kiss.

She remains ready with her tail up, but within a second, he is on his way.

Morning brought a Mourning Dove. Named for its dolorous cooing, it is more often considered a symbol of peace. This is not the morn to mourn.