Not with a bang but a whimper ... (apologies to T.S. Eliot)

Dec. 27 - It would be grand to end the year with a few noteworthy sightings or even a couple of better than average photos, but an abundance of precipitation along with the seasonal activities have conspired for another lack-lustre offering. No, I'm not complaining. It's just a statement of fact - the wet, unalterable truth. I've learned long ago not to burden myself with regret for things I have little control over.

On the non-birding side of life, the results have been very pleasant with another joyful reunion of family for the festive season. I hope it was the same or better for all of you, and I wish you the best for 2011.

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My what big teeth you have!

The secret to the Common Merganser's ability to grasp slippery underwater prey is the razor-sharp surretted teeth. Danger, keep your fingers away from the jaws!

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Hawkie or the Chat?

On Dec. 10 I just happened to have an hour to spare on my visit to Vancouver. Thanks to the local birders, I knew there was a Hawkowl on the road to Reifel and a Yellow-breasted Chat at Alaksen right next to Reifel. Both would be worthy photo targets. I would have to choose. As I neared the location of the Hawkowl, I could see Hawkie perched delghtfully at the top of a small fir. It was perfectly illuminated by the morning sun and would have made a fine photo, but ... I had to decide on the sure thing of good Hawkowl photos or the uncertain possiblity of my first-ever photos of the Chat. I had only had a previous glimpse of one three years ago at Malheur. Thinking back to my successful photos of last year's Morden Road Hawkowl in Nanaimo, I decided to go for the skulking Chat.

Luck was with me as I pulled into the parking lot at Alaksen. Mark Winja pulled in right beside me. He had seen the Chat a few days before and knew exactly where to look. After a quick reacquaintance, I followed Mark around the corner of the CWF building. He spotted the Chat immediately, and within 5 minutes I had my photos. Of course, there was room for improvement, but the Chat decided otherwise and moved to a more remote location. I still had time for the Hawkowl but decided to stay and chat for awhile. While I was chatting with Mark, we were joined by Paul Levesque who was now working for the CWF at Alaksen. It was good to see him again. I had met Paul a few years ago when he lived at Black Creek. He had always been a good resource person when I had questions about owls and Northern Goshawks. When I left I noticed that the Hawkowl was perched in another tree obscured by branches. Going for the Chat was a good decision.

The Chat was a lively little bird as it foraged for prey in the nearby bush and general vicinity of Alaksen.

After the initial sighting I slipped into the Alaksen office to sign in, and when I returned the Chat was on the fence rail.

This was the first clear look I had at the Chat.

I took a few shots and was just going to lower my tripod when it flew to the far fence. I never saw it again, but was confident that I had some decent shots. I was was quite pleased with seeing and photographing the Chat. It is a rare visitor to the west coast at any time of the year and usually difficult to photograph because of its skulking nature. Thanks to the folks at Alaksen for sighting and reporting this attractive bird.

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A Quick Trip to Comox

Thanks to a last minute order from Blue Heron Books, I had a chance to do a little unexpected birding. I decided to do the reverse procedure starting at Goose Spit then working my way back to Qualicum.

Goose Spit was disappointing because of several reasons. First the tide wasn't very high which meant the scoters and other diving ducks wouldn't be close to shore for the varnish clams. Second there were only a few people around but they were volunteer garge collectors who were did a splendid job picking up debris but they also kept the ducks away from shore. Finally, the peek-a-boo sun was in it's boo cycle behind a large cloud. The only ducks I managed to shoot in the filtered light were a pair of wigeons.

Not surprisingly the male Eurasian was accompanied by a charming female. As usual I was hoping to see a classic female Eurasian. However, this was not to be. The female had some of the traits of the Eurasian like the warmer colour of the head, but it also had the marked gape. I have seen this so often that I wonder how it could be that all of the Eurasian mistesses I have seen have been probable hybrids. Surely at least one out of ten has to be a real female Eurasian.

Notice the black line at the gape. That's typical of the female American Wigeon.

Oh well, I'm glad the male Eurasian is distinctive, but I'm still looking for the real female.

After Goose Spit I stopped at Comox Bay Farm. It didn't take long to find the resident Northern Harrier.

As usual the Harrier stayed well out of camera range. The best I could do was abour 150 feet.

The Airpark was very quiet. I looked for the Canvasbacks that were there a few weeks ago but only found a few Mallards among the locals.

Signs of spring. For some birds spring starts in December.

My last stop was Qualicum where I had 5 minutes of sun for the Black Scoters.

I've spent many hours in past years photographing the scoters, and this just whet my appetite for more.

Although it was still early afternoon, the sun disappeared behind the cliff as expected. I've mentioned many times that high tide in the late morning is the best.

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Where's the Sun

During a run to Victoria International I had a quick half hour to spend at Esquimalt Lagoon. It wasn't raining, but it wasn't sunny either. I had fun watching a bathing Bufflehead. Just imagine what these pictures would be like if it were sunny.

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Artisan's Gallery

For the past 2 years I have been a participant at the Fairwinds Craft Fair and the Qualicum Original Village Art's Faire. Although books are my major product, I also had a few of my favorite photos printed and framed. I'm pleased to say they were received with moderate success. All are available as framed prints on Velvet Fine Art Paper as well or giclees on canvas. Contact me for specs and prices if you are interested in one or more of my "exclusive" prints.

Hariet, the female Rufous

Harry, the male Rufous

Happy, the baby Rufous

Ballerina Bird - American Avocet

Autumn Colours - Varied Thrush

Crab Catcher - Female Hooded Ferganser

Standing Guard - Bald Eagle

Maternal Touch - Bald Eagle

Eagle Family

Watercolour Heron

Silky Smooth - Snowy Egret

River Otter on the Rock

The Sentinel - male California Quail

Momma's Pet - Great Horned Owls

Kaleidoscope Kestrel

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Loose Ends #1

Pelagic notes: I was just browsing my copy of the Atlas of Pelagic Seabirds off the West Coast and Adjacent Areas and noted that the largest concentration of Pink-footed Shearwaters in the study were 160 birds 40 km west of Amphitrite Point. On my recent pelagic voyage I estimated approximately 2,000 Pinkies circling the factory boat during a peak session of factory production. This occured several times in the last week of August, and surprisingly there very few other shearwaters in the flock.

A few days later a similar phenomena was noted with Short-tailed Shearwaters just off the north end of Vancouver Island. In fact, the concentration of birds was much denser and estimated at about 3,000 Shorties. Using visual and photographic analysis. Surprisingly, very few Sooty Shearwaters were encountered in my whole trip. Even Flesh-footed Shearwaters seemed more abundant with about 6 encountered on one day. In case you're wondering what I mean by photographic analysis, it's simple. As the shearwaters swirl past the boat (some as close as 20 feet) I would photograph as many as I could in an hour then analyze the results.

Loose End #2: Photo Ethics - I noticed recently there were two reprehensible incidents involving photographers in the Vancouver area. The first was an incomprehensible invasion of private property while photgraphing the Northern Hawkowl near Reifel. Where's the common sense? None of the trespassers would want the paparazzi tromping on their own property. The second was an absolute violation human decency. Someone broke away the branches of a tree at Reifel to expose a Saw-whet Owl. Besides breaking the law, the safety of the owl was being compromised.

I'm not wasting my time trying to appeal the violators in the above situations. I doubt they would ever listen to common sense and will continue their callous ways regardless of what anyone says. I'm appealing to all of you who are contemplating getting into bird photography. Please remember that the safety and welfare of the bird comes first. As for trespassing on private or restricted property, I know that won't be a problem for you.

On these happy notes, I bid you a fine 2011.

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Bird Poster

My poster is on display at: Victoria - Swan Lake Nature House

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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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