Title photo - Gadwalls for Christmas

'Twas the day before Christmas and down at Craig Bay

A pair of Gadwalls had fallen from Santa's sleigh ...

Dec. 24 - Purple Finch in the holly tree - a good way to start the day. With all my Christmas preparations completed, there was no reason not to take advantage of the morning sunshine for a brief visit along the Oceanside Coast to see what I could see.

The pond at Craig Bay was partially frozen, but there was plenty of open water at the eastern end. I usually don't bother checking, but I just wanted to take a few pictures even if they were Mallards. There were plenty of Mallards, but that's not what caught my attention. I was surprised and delighted to see a pair of Gadwalls swimming right towards me. I've seen plenty of Gadwalls on the Island but never at close range. Thanks, Santa.

Gadwall are not abundant around Oceansside. In fact, I've never seen them north of Buttertubs Marsh until now.

The male always looks so distinguished in its gray pin-striped suit.

The female could easily be mistaken for a Mallard, but it is much brighter and smaller.

At Qualicum I was happy to finally see the Black Scoter flock diving for varnish clams. They have been AWOL all fall for me until now, but they were in the shade which wasn't great for photos. The bird that wasn't in the shade was the "Rest Room Heron." I've yet to drive through Qualicum in the morning and not see the Great Blue on the same post just out from the rest rooms. What's with the pose? I think it was a yoga position.

I've never bothered with the Rest Room Heron, but today was just one of those relaxing photographic days with nothing in mind.

A quick stop at Admiral's Lagoon didn't yield anything unusual. It was very quiet including the large flock of Dunlin sleeping on the sandbar.

French Creek was also pretty quiet. The King was in the apple tree until he saw me. He then flew to the rocks across the creek. The usual Mallards, Common Mergansers, and American Wigeons were lounging on the far bank of the creek. A lone wigeon was having a bath in the creek.

Dec. 28 - I just happened to be in Victoria when the sun finally struggled through the clouds. At Martindale a large flock of Canada Geese circled before landing on Mitchell's hay field. I looked for the lone Snow Goose that had been reported regularly for the past two weeks. It wasn't hard to find.

According to the map in Sibley's, southern Oregon is the northern tip of the Redhead's winter range, but small numbers are regularly reported especially around Victoria. They are a very regal looking duck, and I always enjoy the chance for a few pictures. I was fortunate to discover 4 pairs at the Ridge Golf Course.

The Redhead female looks very respectable, but looks can be deceiving. She has the despicable reputation of a deadbeat momma. She is a brood parasite and will lay her eggs in any other nest just to avoid raising her own ducklings.

Cattle Point was busy with poodles and labs which meant there was little or no chance of a Western Meadowlark or other winter songbird. The usual Hooded Mergansers were present and getting into the courting mode.

A good place for wintering Greater Yellowlegs is Oak Bay, and that's exactly where I found a quartet of the hearty shorebirds. The 4th one wouldn't cooperate for this picture. Southern Vancouver Island is within the Greater Yellowlegs' winter range.

I hadn't seen a Sanderling all year, but that was finally rectified at Clover Point. As soon as I spotted a bright, white bunch of shorebirds foraging on the rocks at the water's edge I knew I had found some Sanderlings. They aren't totally white, but against the dark rocks and water, they looked like snow. I'd never seen a flock of 11 during the winter. Around Oceanside I've only seen the occasional wintering individual or pair amongst the Dunlin.

I might be wrong, but I assume the Sanderlings are more common on the outer coast than the east coast of V.I.

The sanderlings were vigorously foraging at the water's edge. Whatever they were catching was quite small as there was nothing perceptible for my limited vision.

Dwarf Sanderling or peep? I had to do a double-take on the small Sanderling in the foreground. I tried to make it into a Semipalmated Sandpiper, but the lack of chest stripes thwarted my efforts.

The last shot of the year. With the forecast for rain to cap off 2009, I may not get another shot in before 2010. That leaves me with a gull (hybrid?)and it's New Year's treat. Happy New Year to all.

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Closing Notes

Donation - In response to my offer of $100 to a Comox Valley bird education and/or rehabilitation program I had 3 emails recommending MARS. MARS is involved in both education and rehabilitation which is a perfect fit for my offer. I also had $50 profit from a poster which I also included.

Mistaken Identity - I was approached by a distraught gentleman at Mt. Washington last week. Seems that the poor fellow had been mistaken for me on several occasions. My apologies, Howie. Maybe I should get you a T-shirt saying "I'm not Mike."

Volume 3 - I'm making good progress on my new book. Publication is scheduled for for March, and I expect to be on or ahead of schedule.

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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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PUBLICATIONS

VOLUME I & II BOOKS AVAILABLE AT

PARKSVILLE & QUALICUM - MULBERRYBUSH BOOKSTORES

NANAIMO - SAVE-ON FOODS (WOODGROVE),
SAVE-ON FOODS (COUNTRY CLUB), CHAPTERS, FALCONER BOOKS

PORT ALBERNI - CLOCKTOWER GALLERY

COURTENAY - GRAHAM'S JEWELLERS

SIDNEY - VICTORIAN BIRD HOUSE, TANNER'S BOOKSTORE

COMOX - BLUE HERON BOOKS

BOWSER - LIGHTHOUSE GIFTS

DEEP BAY - SHIP & SHORE

SAANICH - WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED

VICTORIA - BOLEN BOOKS, MUNRO'S, CROWN PUBLICATIONS, IVY'S

CAMPBELL RIVER - SAVE-ON FOODS, COHO BOOKS, CAMPBELL RIVER MUSEUM

DUNCAN - VOLUME 1 BOOKSTORE

CHEMAINUS - WILLOW"S WILD BIRD STORE

LADYSMITH - SALAMANDER BOOKS

NANOOSE - SCHOONER COVE MARINA

LAKE COWICHAN - GALLOPING MOON GALLERY

TOFINO - BOTANICAL GARDENS

QUADRA ISLAND - EXPLORE & BOOK BONANZA

LANGFORD - WILD BIRD CENTER

SOOKE - READING ROOM BOOKSTORE

SOOKE - MUSEUM

Port Hardy - MUSEUM

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