Feb. 24 - A Run-Around Redtail Day

Some days are goofier than others is about the only way I could describe Friday. I promised my wife that I would just make a quick morning trip to Deep Bay just to see if there was any herring activity and maybe an interesting bird or two. Deep Bay is over half way to Comox. There was no herring activity and no interesting birds. I was home by noon and ready to do a little work. Just then the phone rang, and Blue Heron Books in Comox was out of books. Looking at the Weather Channel, it was going to rain all week. The only sunny day was today. I was half way to Comox earlier, but I didn't like the thought going later in the week with no chance of photography. I looked at my wife with my Long-tailed Duck, pleading eyes, and she agreed to go for a drive. Even she enjoyed all the Red-tailed Hawks on the way as well as the Airpark Snipes.

The most Red-tailed Hawks I had ever counted on the way to Courtenay was 5. Today we counted 7 although there was one that was very white-breasted that I wished we had stopped for a better look and maybe a photo. So, maybe I need to say 6 Redtails and one possible. Next time I'll stop. However, we did stop for a couple of pictures. We stopped for one that was on a highway number sign. It would have been an interesting photo, but the redtail didn't co-operate.

The Redtail on a snag was co-operative.

It's always fun to get the yoga picture as it always reveals a few feathers I don't normally see.

The Courtenay Airpark is a good place for the bird photographer. Quite often there are ducks working close to shore in the river and there are always birds in the lagoon. In fact, I would say that it's the best place on the whole Island for photographing the Wilson's Snipe, especially right now. The grass at the edge of the water has been worn away by ice and waves and only a short stubble remains. The Snipe like to feed in the mud, but they are more exposed without the long grass. If you're lucky, you'll get some good looks.

This Snipe landed about 40' in front of me and tried to hunker down in a small depression. That didn't work so it decided to eat instead.

Photography is all about getting the perfect picture which as Jonathan Livingston Seagull discovered, is impossible. Regardless, I think this is my all-time best female Common Merganser photo. It was at the boat ramp right at the entrance to the park.

Instructional Photo

Seeing the hen with the Eurasian drake the other day certainly helped my identification of the hen. Of course, a photo with both the American and Eurasian hen would tell the story the best. See for yourself.

Fe. 27 - An Accidental Nothern Shoveler Day

I had to deliver 3 books to the Little Shop of Novels in Chemainus on Monday. It really wasn't worth my while in terms of gas and time for such a small delivery, but you have to keep your customers happy. Guess what? Chemainus was closed on account of a massive wind storm that morning that took out a lot of hydro lines. I decided to go to Duncan and sooth my sorrow with a Starbuck's coffee. Once I was there, I had to check out Somenoes.

There seemed to be a lot of American Coots, Northern Pintails, and Northern Shovelers around. It was a good time to try for a few more Shoveler shots. Like this female Shoveler, they seemed to eat most of the stuff that they scooped up. I guess that's how some of them ingest lead shot.

Like most teenagers, the juvenile Shoveler had the wildest colour and dress.

The male Shoveler was quite handsome with its glossy dark green cap.

Finally, a close-up shot. As for the books, the store was also closed on the way back.

Larger than life - A female Purple Finch

Wild Current Pink - If a male Purple Finch landed in a blooming wild current bush, it would look like another cluster of blossums.

Feb. 28 - Checking for Herring

The herring spawn can't be far away. I decided to go as far as Qualicum to see if there was any tell-tale signs. There wasn't any. I didn't see any skiffs at French Creek. It always starts farther north. Maybe I should have checked Deep Bay. It really didn't matter. When it happens, it happens. It was just another excuse to look for some pictures.

The Sleeper

I didn't think this little Barrow's Goldeneye was ever going to wake up, but half an hour later, it did and climbed onto shore. However, while it was in the water, it was funny to watch its feet continuing to paddle while it had its eyes closed.

Pure fresh Island water ... I wonder how pure after winding through miles of farmland and residential areas?

I told you I never get tired of taking pictures of the Harlequins.

I think this might be my personal best male Harlequin photo.

BOOKS AVAILABLE AT

PARKSVILLE - QUALICUM - MULBERRYBUSH BOOKSTORES

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