Above photo - Anise Swallowtail
A "LEP of FAITH"
I've been trying to get a decent photo of an Anise Swallowtail for the last couple of years, but they have either been too elusive or in a state of disrepair with torn wings or missing parts. I've seen several in my yard this year, but they were too quick and never settled down on any flower. However, I had faith that eventually my opportunity would come, and it finally happened a few days ago. I was looking out the dining room window at my bird feeders next to my wife's lavender patch. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a gorgeous Anise busily slipping from one flower to the next. It was in perfect condition and looked like it was settled in for a prolonged nectaring session. I grabbed my camera, snuck out to my patio, propped my camera on a lawn chair, and waited patiently. I could see a bit of the butterfly behind a few flowers and was hoping that it would work it's way towards me. Eventually it did, and the patience paid off with a few good shots. I've posted a couple more later in this journal.
The lavender patch was popular with the butterflies last week. Besides the Anise, I also enjoyed photo sessions with several Pale Swallowtails, a Painted lady, and a Cabbage White. A Lorquin's Admiral stopped for a few minutes but left without providing any photo opportunities. Now, on to the birds ...
RASPBERRY RASCAL
I was sipping my morning coffee and watching the robins devour my still unripe raspberries when a smaller brown bird zipped in to join them. A few seconds later it zipped out with a berry in its bill and flew into the forest. Five minutes later it was back. This time it landed on a fence post before disappearing in the raspberry patch. My suspicions were correct - it was a Swainson's Thrush.
As soon as it left the patch, I grabbed my camera and tripod and set up behind a rose bush in the garden. A few minutes later it returned but landed on another post behind a tall mock orange bush. It also returned to the post behind the bush for the second time, but I was third-time lucky. On its next run it landed on the post I was focussed on. It posed for a few shots then dove into the raspberries. It was a fair trade. I didn't mind losing a few raspberries for a full-frame shot of a Swainson's Thrush.
SILENT VISITOR
Later the same day in the early evening, I heard the gentle calls of several Swainson's acompanied by a gentle bleating sound - like a lamb but without the "bl." I ventured into the woods to investigate and saw a large owl silently fly away. I was hoping it wouldn't fly too far while I retreated to the house for my camera. On my return I was relieved to hear the thrushes further down the trail, and in the distance I spotted a Great Horned Owl. The owl didn't notice me until I clicked the shutter. It turned to look but didn't see me as I was motionless. Eventually, I adjusted for a better angle, but the owl didn't cooperate and flew deeper into the woods.
About an hour later I heard the same calls and bleating sound. When I investigated, I found several Swainson's but couldn't see any owl. One of the thrushes flew to a branch about five meters from me. It called then uttered the same bleating sound. It repeated the sound several times before I left. Was it a warning sound or some other signal? I'll have to ask John Neville if he has ever recorded that sound.
CHIPPING AROUND
Since I've started with two yard birds, I might as well continue. Last journal I posted a photo of a juvenile Chipping Sparrow. Today I had the pleasure of observing one of the adults diligently foraging for food, and then flying up to feed a fledgling in the arbutus tree. I couldn't get a shot of the feeding session but had several opportunities for the foraging photo.
The Chipping Sparrow was very cooperative and predictable. It would forage in the grass then fly up with snack for the fledgling and then repeat the process. I knew it would eventually have to forage within camera range. Twenty minutes later I had my pictures.
I was amazed at the dedication and persistence of the Chipping Sparrow. Over an hour later it was still foraging in the same area and feeding its young.
A PAIR OF WARBLERS
Oranged-crowned Warblers are another common yard bird. I only got one click at this one before it headed off to another tree.
I had to take at least one picture of my resident Black-throated Gray Warbler. I haven't seen any juveniles yet, but I am hoping there was or will be a successful nest in the vicinity.
LEAPING TO THE LEPS
In case you're wondering, I have no intention of branching out to include butterflies as part of my resume. I'm still committed to birds, but I did enquire about the possibility of photographing the rare Taylor's Checkerspot on Denman Island. Unfortunately, I was a few weeks too late as they generally fly from early May to early June. I'll get my chance next year. Meanwhile, since I haven't been able to get out much, I've been enjoying a few butterflies in my yard.
As suggested in the intro, my wife's lavender patch is a butterfly trap. The butterflies love the fragrance and the nectar. Needless to say, the lavender also provides a wonderful setting for photos.
My most common butterfly is the Pale Swallowtail. I've seen at least ten in our garden this year compared to only one Western Tiger.
I've seen three or four Anise Swallowtails in my yard this year, but like I said, they rarely stop to enjoy the flowers.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Anise is the prettiest of our local swallowtails.
Four wings or fore wings?
The Cabbage White is another lavender-lover.
It got its name because its larvae was known as a pest on cabbages and other members of the mustard family.
Ain't she sweet? The Painted Lady was another delightful visitor to the lavender patch.
Despite constant intrusion by the other butterflies, the Painted Lady continued to nectar without interuption for about 30 minutes.
The Painted Lady sure looks different from the top. If I saw the previous picture and this one separately, I wouldn't know they were the same butterfly.
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SPOTTIE TIME
River's Edge is on my route to Parksville and one of my usual stops when I have time. On July 3 I had time to check Rascal Pond and the settling basin. My hope was to find some newly fledged Spotted Sandpipers. At Rascal Pond all was quiet until I was rudely awakened by the noxious belch of a bullfrog. I was shocked as I had never seen any signs of bullfrogs south of Morningstar. I looked down at the pond and saw a pair of large gluttonous eyes staring back at me. All I could think of was the poor little Hooded Merganser ducklings that I hadn't seen this year and all the other insects, amphibians, birds, and snakes that this invasive intruder had consumed. After a few photos I checked the pond and saw hordes of giant tadpoles swimming about. There was no sign of the Spotted Sandpiper I saw last week.
I was revulsed by the sight of the alien bullfrog and the thought of the devastation to the native fauna. Later I checked the internet to see if I could find out what is being done about the problem. As far as I could see, the answer was nothing. The government's only action was to warn people not to capture and transport the bullfrogs. In other words, just let them proliferate and hop to the next pond on their own. The least they could do is offer a bounty or a summer works eradication program for students. By doing nothing they are actually violating the International Convention on Biological Diversity. By the way, I have submitted a photo and article to the local newspaper, but there's never any guarantee that they will use it.
After my bullfrog encounter I visited the settling ponds. As usual I was greeted by the Spotted Sandpiper. I was surprised but not disappointed that the resident Killdeers were absent. I proceeded cautiously, hoping for a sign of any fledgling Spotties.
There was no sign of any fledglings, but the adult was front and centre. I suppose that was the first sign that I wasn't close to any young ones.
If I were close to the young ones or the nest, Spottie would have shown me an injured bird display.
Beggars can't be choosy so I was happy to work on some Spottie poses.
Spottie acted like a runway model, giving me a variety of poses.
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CELEBRATING THE NEXT RUFOUS GENERATION
July 8 - It's getting close to migration time for the Rufous, but as of today I'm still feeding 2 to 3 cups of nectar a day. Invariably, some of the the juveniles like to play "guard-the-feeder." That usually presents some good photo opportunities if the weather conditions are suitable. Today wasn't bad. It was moderately overcast. Bright overcast would have been better, but I had to make the best of the situation while I had the time, and one of the juvie Rufous was being cooperative.
Feeder guarding - "There's a hummer invading my airspace."
Quiet time - "It's about time they left me alone. Now I can do my preening."
Itch time - "I know it's not dignified to scratch in public, but if you have an itch ..."
Ruffle time - "I don't mind ruffling my own feathers."
Shake it up baby - "You have to let your feathers down once in awhile."
Show time - "All right, it's time to get serious about guarding again."
Looking tough - "Looks really matter. If you look tough, they leave you alone."
It's working - "What did I tell you? Everyone's keeping their distance."
That's all folks - "Thanks for visiting with me. I'll be heading for Mexico pretty soon."
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LOOK WHO'S STILL HERE
Most of my male Rufous usually disappear by late June. I'm not sure if this is one of my resident males or a new one just passing through. I've seen it around for the past few days.
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Bird Poster
My posters are on display at: Victoria - Swan Lake Nature House; Nanoose Bay - Credit Union; Courtenay - Graham's Jewellers
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