Caught napping and then stretching was the juvenile Hooded Merganser in Dolphin Lake which is on the north end of Fairwinds Golf Course.

Dolphin Lake is also a great habitat for Kingfishers, and I have been waiting for the new family from a nearby nest (burrow) to appear.

White-crowned Sparrow caught in the jam jar! I think the only berries close by were black caps, one of my favorites too.

Kestrals seemed to be everywhere on Jul. 12 at River's Edge subdivision as 2 adults were teaching their 3 young ones the secrets of survival.

A fledgling Common Yellowthroat was one of the many sightings at my favorite "sit and wait" spot at Craig Bay. (Aug. 17/04 - my favorite spot no longer exists as it was cleared for development ...)

Ready to rumble - The fledgling Bald Eagles at the north end of Dolphin Lake seemed ready to fly on July 12. On July 13th, they were gone.

3 fledgling Downy's surprised me as I was looking for the Olive-sided Flycatchers on Kaye Road.

The fledgling Orange-crowned Warbler was one of the many birds I've enjoyed at my favorite "sit 'n wait" spot at Craig Bay.

Another new bird this week was the Sooty Shearwater seen just of Cape Beale near Bamfield.

VIADUCT FLATS

My little trip to Victoria on Jul. 16th would have been a birding bust were it not for Viaduct Flats. At first I only spotted 2 Greater Yellowlegs but 10 minutes later there were also 40 Long-billed Dowitchers, 8 more Greater Yellowlegs, 5 Least Sandpipers, 15 cedar Waxwings and 4 common Yellowthroat. Too bad I forgot to ask Chris about the directions for the Stilt Sandpiper.

Cedar Waxwing

Long-billed Dowitchers

Greater Yellowleg