Apr. 24 - Gorgeous Grosbeaks Despite the uncomplimentary sounding name of "grosbeaks," I think Grosbeaks are beautiful and delightful birds, and thanks to Jennifer in Duncan, I had the thrill of enjoying Evening Grosbeaks yesterday for the very first time. Over the years there have been many wonderful people who have welcomed me on to their property for bird photography. I can't say it often enough that I am totally grateful for their kindness. Although Evening grosbeaks are supposed to be fairly abundant they aren't frequently reported on the Island except for a specific area in the Cowichan Valley. According to Sibley's Guide, they should have a year-round presence on the Island. I love the attractive pattern of black, yellow, and white. Even in the shadows, the Evening Grosbeak looks bright. It can look quite menacing with its king-sized bill. In reality it is really a very shy and timid bird. It's interesting that I saw a lot of males but only a couple of females. Do they feed separately? Or are they already in the maternity ward? Apr. 24 - Flycatcher Enigma It's that time of year again, and it's great to see the flycatchers return. But, just like two years ago, I'm stumped on first of the year. Last time it was a Dusky. I'm waiting for help on this one. Oh yes, it was on the nature trail off Peterson Road in River's Edge just like two years ago. If I have to take a guess, I'll have to go with Pacific Slope. The tail seems too short for Dusky. It was a dull, cloudy morning with the occasional sprinkle, but the American Goldfinches were in a playful mood and brightened the morning up. They were chasing each other all over the place. The male Common Yellowthroat is an awesome bird. It's great to have its distinctive sound and colour back again. Yellow seems to be my main theme for this journal. The Yellowthroat fits right in. At the Nanoose Estuary there were Savannah Sparrows, House Finches, and Canada Geese everywhere, but ony one Greater White-fronted Goose and about six Wilson's Snipes. 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 SOOKE - SOOKE HARBOUR HOUSE LAKE COWICHAN - GALLOPING MOON GALLERY TOFINO - BOTANICAL GARDENS UCLUELET - WORDS END BOOKSELLERS Quadra Island - EXPLORE & BOOK BONANZA
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