Eagles, eagles everywhere ... not as good as Brackendale, but very special in its own way.
A few Bonapartes gracefully circled in front of me searching for the drifting roe.
It seemed wierd practicing flight shots of a Bonie on a winter's day, but one has to stay in practice.
A Western Gull, looking well-fed.
Nov. 22 - ALMOST HEAVEN - The sun was shining, the sky was a deep, pollution-free blue, and the air was still. It was a perfect day to be out, and nothing was going to deter me from revisiting the Little Qualicum Estuary. I'm glad I did as it was truly almost Heaven.
Right in front of the parking space were three juvenile eagles. One was enjoying breakfast while the other two looked enviously on.
The two onlookers left and I'm not sure if it was the same two that returned to harass the breakfast eagle.
They made several dives at the breakfast eagle without success.
The third dive worked - the breakfast eagle was flushed and the spoils were grabbed by one of the attackers. (No love lost between relatives.)
Predators and Pacifists - Trumpeter Swans paddled fearlessly in and around roosting eagles.
I'm not sure if it was the Coast Guard Boat that roused the Trumpeters or whether it was just time for them to leave for the farm fields. I think it was the former as the first waves of swans flew right over me heading south before circling back to the north. Later, the remaining flocks just headed straight north.
it is always an impressive sight to see one the largest bird species in flight.
I've been meaning to visit Comox for some flight shots, but I don't think that's necessary any more.
Like the other ducks, the Buffleheads drifted down the river with the current then flew back up to reposition themselves.
The calm waters and blue sky provided a marvellous background for the Red-breasted merganser.
Common Goldeneyes joined the Buffleheads right at the rivermouth
INTO THE SOUP - As I wanted to arrange a book promotion with the Clock Tower Gallery in Port Alberni, I reluctantly left the beauty of the Little Qualicum. The snow capped peaks sparkled in the sunshine as I neared the HUMP on the way to Port. I was hoping for some good photography weather, but that was not to be. As expected, there was not a sign of sunshine on the other side of the Hump. I suppose it didn't matter as the only birds I saw were black and white.
I was face-to-face with the Common Murre, but it was too close for a picture. I had to settle for a very poor distant shot. My Pacific Loon shots weren't worth keeping - I just missed a close shot of the loon eating a fish.
On the other hand, the Horned Grebe was very compliant.
Nov. 23 - A second sunny day at Little Qualicum was not to be as a dark shroud hung over Qualicum. After breakfast at Lefty's and a visit to the artisan's craft fair where I had a brief reunion with silversmith, Jonathan Rout, and a pleasant meeting with master potter, Sandy Richardson, there was still no sign of sun. Before heading home I detoured through the sunshine in Lantzville and found Ralph with the Spotted Sandpiper at Sebastion Park. I didn't have my camera out for Spottie, but I did catch up with my nemesis from Port Alberni.
Pacific Loons are fairly common around Sebastion Park, but they usually keep their distance. It didn't help to have a canoist paddle by just as the loons were approaching.
How about a Horned Grebe in the sunshine?
The Nanoose scoter flock was just off Eby Road. They were busy flying back and forth.
STRANGE BUDDIES? Yesterday I saw a Black-bellied Plover and Dunlin that were inseparable at Qualicum. Today at Sebastion, three Horned Grebes were attached to two Surf Scoters. The Surf Scoters didn't mind as they kept taking fish from the Grebes. (Maybe the Grebes were trained slaves?) At Nanoose Bay two Dunlin hung out with five Killdeer.
At the Nanoose estuary I ran into a House Finch Christmas tree. The whole flock posed for me but I only took a photo of one male and one female.
