The past week was eventful and significant. On Mar. 30 I delivered some books to the Aerie Resort on the Malahat. They are promoting birding as one of their feature tour packages, and my book will be part of the package. For anyone who hasn't heard of the Aerie, it has been consistently rated as one of the top resorts in the world. On the other hand, I also tried to deliver books to the Galloping Moon Gallery in Lake Cowichan. The only problem was that no one in Lake Cowichan had ever heard of it. Apparently, some one's good intentions have yet to materialize.
On Apr. 1 I was the guest of Nature Trust's Tim Clermont for the Brant Festival nature tour. It was my pleasure to meet 2 of the tour leaders who are also icons of the B.C. birding world, John Cooper and Dick Cannings. John was a co-author of the Birds of B.C. and Dick is a well-known researcher, author, and Bird Studies Canada co-ordinator.
After meeting John, the planets must have been aligned for me as a long lost friend, Larry Lee, (not seen or heard from since 1962) called out of the blue and offered me the first 2 books of the Birds of B.C. (He had heard through the grapevine that I was into birds.) The books had been a gift from his good friend, Mike McNall, who was also a co-author of Birds of B.C. Now, it just so happened that I had Barb and Garnet Hunt's frozen Merlin (window victim)in my freezer. I was saving it for RPO, but David Allison emailed that they no longer needed it and suggested I try the museum. On Apr. 3 I attended Friesens Corporation publishing workshop at the Laurel Point Inn and afterwards, personally delivered the Merlin to Mike McNall. To top it off, Mike handed me the first 2 volumes of Birds of B.C. that Larry had dropped off on the weekend! I felt guilty trading for 2 copies of my book, but it's the thought that counts, isn't it?
I have always heard of the Birds of B.C. but never seen it. Now in the span of 3 days I not only inherited the first 2 volumes, but I met 2 of the co-authors. How strange is that? Do you believe in 6 degrees of separation? My next stop was to visit Agnes Lynn and her Anna's Hummingbirds. Guess who her neighbor is? Ian McTaggart-Cowan! I should have gone over to pay my respects, but I didn't. Any more 6 degrees? Yes, I ran into Ian and Mary-Ann Kennedy 2 weeks ago at Chapters in Nanaimo. I taught with Ian in Parksville and his picture is in Birds of B.C. as he was one of the childhood birding buddies of Wayne Campbell. I actually met another of the co-authors, Neil Dawe, last summer at Marshal-Stevenson, and I'm still looking for him as he ordered my book.
By the way, I have been browsing through the books, and am fascinated by trmendous amount of data and information. It is an amazing resource. I can truly appreciate the thousands of hours that went into it's production. I wish I had the complete set 3 years ago. Wouldn't it be great if a supplement were produced every 5 years to update the information?
From the files (Mar. 25, Qualicum) - Mew Gull - Flashy orbital ring
Mar. 30 - Cloudy Cowichan Day - I always try to do some birding when I deliver books.
Male Common Goldeneye showing off at Art Mann Park.
Female Gadwall showing off at Somenoes Marsh.
Chatty female Gadwall at Somenoes Marsh.
Shy male Gadwall ...
Mar. 31 - Quick stop at French Creek.
A young Northern Flicker in the King's tree.
Sudden drama at French Creek - The Bald Eagle only made 2 passes before it snagged the gull.
Lunch time? Strangely enough, the eagle flew off when I got to the beach. I was surprised to see the gull stagger to its feet and eventually take off.
Agnes' Anna's - It was a dark, cloudy late afternoon when we visited Agnes and her Anna's. Not the best for photos. I'll try again when the sun is out. (Notice the grain?)
Hand-held, ISO 1600, f 5.6, shutter 1/50. Lucky.
Look who's back!
Last year Hariet returned on Mar. 20. This year it was Mar. 29.
Last year Harry made it back on Mar. 21, a day after Hariet. He was a day behind again this year.
Henry is the 2nd male in my yard. Harry will probably chase him away pretty soon.
Yes, harry's still the boss.
Apr. 5 - Mini-Pelagic at Deep Bay with Capt. Bob Fleming.
The Dunlin at Norris Rock were starting to show their breeding plumage.
Of all the seabirds, the Pigeon Guillemot seems to be the least afraid of boats.
They are looking good in their breeding plumage.
Where's my new outfit?
It's always a treat to see a Yellow-billed Loon.
The Yellow-billed was off the end of Deep Bay Spit today.
Red-necked Grebes in Deep Bay harbour.
Pacific Loons near Denman Island.
Looks like the Long-tailed Duck is ready to migrate.
Have you ever seen the Pelagic Cormorants with this much colour? They're almost like Christmas trees.
Hairy guys - The Brandt's Cormorants are looking sexy these days.
A good hair day!
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