JOURNAL 200 Spring Has Sprung Mar. 29/06 - Although we're still experiencing frost delays at Fairwinds, the summer migrants to the area haven't been fazed. Turkey Vultures and Band-tailed Pigeons have been arriving since early March, and Yellow-rumped Warblers and Rufous Hummingbirds have suddenly become quite abundant. Although a few Band-tailed Pigeons stay for the winter, their numbers have increased steadily over the past few weeks. Steller's Jays are still quite numerous, but it won't be long before they disappear. Dolphin Lake is the hangout for a flock of Steller's. Mar. 29 - A bright looking Redtailed caught my attention today at Dawson Road. Apparently there are several geographic variants for the Red-tailed. As far as I can figure from Sibley's Guide, this could be an eastern juvenile. I was trying to get photos of the female Rufous Hummingbirds gathering nesting material. I was surprised to see a female Pine Siskin at the bulrushes with the same home-making intentions. Last year there weren't any Pine Siskins to build any nests. The males were curious but made no effort to help out. I had one chance for the Rufous, but most of the photos were out of focus or blurred. This was the best of the bunch. My challenge today was to catch the female at the right angle to reveal the glittering jewels of her petite gorget. I had to elevate the feeders so I was looking up. I was quite happy with the results of my first efforts. The gorget is a dull blackish colour when not at the correct angle. What About Harry? Don't worry, he's around. I think he spends the first week or to checking out his territory. He disappears for about an hour then returns. So far he's being very mellow. He actually leaves when the gals want to use the feeders. Maybe he's just sizing up his harem. Just a few quick sips from the feeder and he's off. Look who was waiting for me to finish my photo shoot. The female Northern Flicker didn't trust me 2 meters from her, but she returned right away when I left. The Chickadees didn't mind my presence. The came and went whenever they felt like it just like the Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, Song Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker, and Juncos. SAVE-ON FOODS (WOODGROVE) SAVE-ON FOODS (COUNTRY CLUB) CHAPTERS FALCONER BOOKS SIDNEY - VICTORIAN BIRD HOUSE TANNER'S BOOKSTORE COMOX - BLUE HERON BOOKS BOWSER - LIGHTHOUSE GIFTS DEEP BAY - Ship & SHORE SAANICH - WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED BUTCHART GARDENS 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 LAKE COWICHAN - GALLOPING MOON GALLERY TOFINO - BOTANICAL GARDENS UCLUELET - WORDS END BOOKSELLERS Quadra Island - EXPLORE & BOOK BONANZA
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