Feb. 16, 2010 - NEWSFLASH

VANCOUVER ISLAND BIRDS, VOLUME 3 HAS LANDED

It was early migration for my new book - over a month earlier than the original publication date of Mar. 21. The books arrived in Nanoose Bay from Altona, Manitoba a week ago and are now available in most outlets from Campbell River to Victoria.

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Feb. 3 - Reifel in the Rain

What's the old saying? When life gives you rain, make rainbows! I don't know if I made any rainbows, but I wasn't displeased with my 2.5 hour visit to Reifel on the occasion of my Mother's 90th birthday. You never go away from Reifel with nothing, and that was my experience once again.

The Gadwall is not an easy subject on the Island. I haven't found a location where you can consistently get close, let alone find decent lighting and background. Despite the dull sky, I was pleased with the detail on this male Gadwall.

I was also pleased to see the Gadwall perched on a log. This was the first time I had seen one out of water.

If any bird is to be the trademark of Reifel, the Black-crowned Night Heron might be a good chioce.

There were three Night Herons in the usual spot just past the office, but the difference today were two or three very active adults foraging in different parts of the sanctuary. They were very wary. I don't think I got closer than 100 feet to any of the four sightings I had.

Northern Shovelers were a common sight among the many ducks.

Another Reifel signature is the Sandhill Cranes. I think I counted 13 in three different groups.

The dull lighting did nothing to enhance the details of the cranes, but they're always fun to photograph.

Finally, a close look at a Northern Shrike. No, I wasn't disappointed with the poor lighting. Remember, I was making rainbows.

I don't think I've photographed a shrike in over a year. I saw lots of Loggerheads in Oregon last spring, but none were cooperative like this Northern.

Just like the Gadwall, I think the flat lighting enhanced the textures and lines of the male Green-winged Teal.

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Feb. 8 - A quick stop at Sebastion Point yielded one lonely little female Bufflehead diving in about a foot of water. I'm sure the waves had washed some nutrients into a little corner of the rocks and the duck was having a feast. I was standing about 20 feet away.

It was a cool blustery day, but the sun peeked out occasionally for my photos. I was surprised not to see any other birds nearby.

Finally, I caught the King on a sunny day. He was perched in his usual spot at French Creek. I think he was also enjoying the sun as he showed no signs of evacuating his sunny perch. He was still there when I left 15 minutes later.

The mystery of the empty feeders ...

After the playtime, the deer needed a little nourishment.

Ever hear the phrase, "... eats like a bird?"

Golden-crowned Sparrows are common at Raines Road. Apparently, Jon has a White-throated Sparrow hidden there, but so far I'm zero for 2 in that category.

The Downy continues to be a regular suet visitor along with the Hairy, Northern Flicker, and Pileated.

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Feb. 16 - Hooray! A Sunny Day

This was the first sunny day in Feb. that I was relatively free to do some photography. It was picture perfect with snow-capped peaks back-dropping the eastern shoreline of the Island and mirroring the growing population of gulls. At Parksville Park both sides of the curling club roof was covered with gulls and a sizeable flock was on the grassy field. Half the sandbar in the bay was covered in white birds while a lone adult Bald Eagle occupied the other half. Various flocks dotted the shoreline while other flocks floated peacefully on the calm waters.

You didn't have to look hard to find a Thayer's Gull.

Bright white California Gulls were also abundant.

At Qualicum a half dozen Buffleheads were frolicking near the shoreline.

With the sun at my back it was a good chance to try catch the rainbow colours on the male's head.

It would have been better if the distant sky were blue. Why can't I have everything?

The scoter flock was busy diving close to shore. I was tempted to stay for a photo session, but I also wanted to go to Deep Bay. I flipped a coin and Deep bay won. One quick shot and I was on my way.

Deep Bay was it's usual peaceful, tranquil paradise with a few Surf Scoters and Long-taileds near the end of the spit.

An outgoing fish boat sent the scoters scooting across my bow.

It was an invitation to click a few pictures - females included.

Here's another female.

A few Greater Scaup were near the point when I arrived, but they immediately departed towards Denman. A half hour later they returned. Here's one of the females.

I tried to catch the green sheen on the male's head but it wasn't cooperating.

The Long-tailed flock was a little further out. Here's one of the females.

february is sometimes the last opportunity to catch the Long-taileds near the spit. By the end of February the Long-taileds usually join the huge flocks of ducks that cruise around dining on herring roe.

The males always seem to outnumber the females and that was the case today.

I didn't spend much time waiting for the Long-taileds to come in closer. I was just happy to enjoy the pleasant "ar ar-writ" and fabulous early spring weather.

I've mentioed before that the Long-taileds remind me of puppy dogs. How's this for a "sit.!"

Just as I was leaving a flock of Black Turstones swirled by.

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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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