A FLICKER OF SUNSHINE & A NORTHERN FLICKER Despite the continuum of precipitation and overcast conditions promised by the meteorologist, a flicker of morning sunshine blossumed into a precocious sunny morning of spring. T-shirt weather and sunshine - there would better things to do than facing the mobs at Boxing Day sales. It had been over a week since I had pressed the shutter on my camera. Nothing could deter me from taking advantage of the flicker of sun. It was fitting that the first bird I found was the Northern Flicker. It was also enjoying the unseasonable flicker of sun on a snag by Dolphin Lake. It was a good time to clean and dry the feathers. Ahhh, it feels good to air out the underwear. Those wings were getting so heavy ... Meanwhile, Mrs. Flicker was on the other side of the snag checking out potential nest sites. She worked her way up to the top and then headed off to check another tree. PINK PAGODA BIRDS Driving through Fairwinds, I came across a row of Pink Pagoda trees. The trees were alive with birds. A continuous flow of Robins relayed to and from the trees, obviously enjoying the Pagoda berries. A small flock of Cedar Waxwings joined the party. There was plenty of food for everyone. Some Waxwings preferred the white berries. Others preferred pink. Was there a gender connection? Back home with the sunshine gone and showers threatening, I decided to take a walk around the yard. I stopped in front of a wildrose and choke cherry thicket and waited. A Song Sparrow was the first bird to visit. In the back of the choke cherry, a slight movement caught my eye. It was the very elusive Hermit Thrush. Except for a branch in front of its head, it would have been a nice close-up. Continuing my yard walk, I spotted a Ruby-crown in an arbutus. While I was trying to set up for a shot, I noticed a movement on the trunk of a nearby fir. It was one of my photo wish birds, the Brown Creeper. I've seen many over the past 3 years but was never able to get a usable picture. This was my best so far. NANAIMO - BACKYARD WILDBIRD & NATURE STORE SAVE-ON FOODS (WOODGROVE) SAVE-ON FOODS (COUNTRY CLUB) CHAPTERS FALCONER BOOKS COLE'S PORT ALBERNI - CLOCKTOWER GALLERY COURTENAY - GRAHAM'S JEWELLERS SAVE-ON FOODS SIDNEY - VICTORIAN BIRD HOUSE COMOX - BLUE HERON BOOKS BOWSER - LIGHTHOUSE GIFTS DEEP BAY - SAANICH - WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED VICTORIA - BOLEN BOOKS MUNRO'S CAMPBELL RIVER - CAMPBELL RIVER MUSEUM BOOK BONANZA SAVE-ON FOODS DUNCAN - VOLUME 1 BOOKSTORE CHEMAINUS - LITTLE SHOP OF NOVELS LADYSMITH - SALAMANDER BOOKS NANOOSE - SCHOONER COVE MARINA SOOKE - SOOKE HARBOUR HOUSE
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