March 27 - The herring spawn can be quite exciting if you happen to be on hand in a location where the gillnetters are busy with their nets and the gulls, sea lions, seals, and eagles are cleaning up on the collateral damage of wounded fish. Despite a concerted effort I couldn't find any such action around Oceanside where very little fishing was occuring. Apparently, the best action was in Nanaimo off Entwistle where according to fellow photog, Ralph Hocken, the fishing and accompanying action was superb and within a stone's throw of shore. He had no problem getting full-frame shots of sea lions and gulls with fish.

Despite missing most of the action, I wasn't disappointed. The day after my shot of the flying sea lion (last journal) I stopped by at San Pareil to see if he spawn activity was still on. I still wanted my shot of a sea lion avec le poisson (Is that French for fish? It's been over 50 years since I was in Mr. Stick's French class.) It was strangely quiet when I arrived except for a few gulls working the tide line. Was the action all over? I decided to set up my camera anyway and maybe catch a few ducks flying by, but I was in for a pleasant surprise. A sleepy looking sea lion materialized in the water right front of me, and with its sparkling eyes asked me what I wanted. Without hesitation I said I wanted to get some pictures of it with some fish. How stupid! I'm still kicking myself. I should have asked for million bucks. Well, it's like the genie said, "You only get one wish." The sea lion dove under and emerged 30 seconds later with a fish in its mouth. Just to make sure I got the shot, this was repeated about five more times. I did have fun with the fish shots and was thankful although I'm still wondering about the million ... Sounds like a tall tale doesn't it? I've got the pictures to prove it wasn't. Just one question lingered in my mind. Were the herring still spawning right in front of me? They must have been otherwise the sea lion wouldn't have been there.

As I've mentioned many times before, the after spawn period is terrific. If you go down to Parksville Bay right now you'll see thousands of gulls and ducks as well as a lot of Brant. You probably won't be able see the roof of the curling rink because of the gulls; there might also be huge flocks roosting on the fields; and thousands more will be busy feeding in the bay. The most spectacular sight is the endless flocks of ducks and geese out in the bay and offshore. Divers and dabblers alike have all put aside their differences to feast together on the generous bounty of roe. High tide is best because that's when the ducks and Brant come closer to shore. After I'm through marvelling at the grandeur of the massive flocks, I usually spend some time patiently scanning the gull flocks for a rarity. In the past few years I've found the Slaty-backed, but so far, no luck this year. The best I have to offer is Snow White - a beautiful almost all white hybrid at French Creek. Oh, another favorite activity is photographing the Bonaparte Gulls. They are starting to arrive in good numbers now, and it won't be long before they all sport their black breeding plumage hoods.

March 16 - Parksville

I'm always fascinated by the huge numbers of Greater Scaup that show up for the herring spawn. All winter I only see a few scattered here and there, but now there's thousands.

If you count all the ducks in this picture and multiply by 500, that might be a good estimate of how many Greater Scaup are here for the spawn.

The scoters and Long-taileds seem to prefer feeding offshore.

It's difficult to portray the magnitude of all the ducks. If I stitched together about four of these shots that might cover it.

Meanwhile, the shorebirds like the Black-bellied Plovers can't understand the commotion. They can't wait for the gulls to leave so they can reclaim their sandbar.

The breakfast of champions. The Brant know what's good for building up the fat reserves for the remaider of their migration to the Arctic.

Remember the sea lion I told you about. I haven't seen it since so I haven't been able to ask for another wish. Darn, I almost said fish again.

March 23 - Hornby Island

In case you're wondering if I've moved to Hornby or not, I haven't, but I was curious as to how the spawn and after-spawn activity compared with Oceanside. I suppose I could have just asked some of the locals, but I had to see for myself. The exquisite emerald waters of Gravelly Bay looked promising, but there were no birds or mammals chasing any herring.

The pilings at the Gravelly ferry terminal are a favorite roosting spot for Pelagic Cormorants.

Double-crested Cormorants seem to prefer the pilings on the Hornby side.

I always check the around the ferry terminal at Hornby to see if there are any interesting birds skulking about. The flavor of the day was Harlequin. There were four of them foraging close to the rocks. They were a bit leary of my presence, but since I didn't move they soon grew accustomed to me.

Eventually, they felt comfortable and decided to hop on the rocks right in front of me to warm up in the sun.

It's always fun to see them jockey for positions, but it didn't take long for them to claim their spots.

The waters at Shingle Point only had a hint of turquoise from the spawn a few days ago, but the eagles still had their eyes open for herring.

I couldn't see what this eagle was aiming for. I suspect it was a washed up herring.

Besides the eagles this little seal was the only other sign of life at Shingle Point.

Over at Ford Cove there was a fresh spawn and the sea lions were busy right next to the store.

It was quite windy so I didn't look very hard for any other mammal or bird activity. Instead I focussed on trying to capture the beauty of the emeral waters from the fresh spawn.

I also had fun with the herring roe. The gulls weren't too pleased that I was lying on the gravel next to where the roe was washed up, but I only took ten minutes.

Doesn't the roe look like pearls? Pearls of life! Just ask the gulls and ducks.

I looked for different colour combinations of the roe and seaweed.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. As long as it's beautiful to me, that's all that counts isn't it?

After I finished with my roe shoot, I took a closer look at the harlies on the point. I counted about 140 in the immediate area.

The harlies were very skittish. I had to take a long walk up the beach before sneaking back for these last two shots.

March 27 - Parksville & French Creek

Eagles, eagles everywhere. One day I counted 25 in a small area on the rocks beside the west side of Parksville Bay.

There was a regular stream of eagles close by as they drifted in the wind currents.

Bonie Time! I always enjoy a few sessions photographing the bonies every year.

The light conditions were excellent with the water reflecting the light blue sky.

The bonies were preoccupied with foraging for herring roe which allowed me to set up with the sun at my back.

The bonies were adept at plucking individual pieces or small clumps of roe. I think they were even stirring the water with their feet to loosen up the roe.

None of the bonies were in full breeding plumage. About one in twenty were close like the one above.

The bonies usually hang around for a few more weeks. It's quite a sight to see a beach full of black-headed gulls.

Happiness is a mouthful of roe.

To the bonies the roe is just like candy.

Every once in awhile a new bonie would fly in to join the party.

A few found it easier just to pick the roe off the beach.

Here's another bonie crashing the party.

And another ...

This one looks to be in full breeding plumage.

I love watching the Brant flying in during the morning.

They spend their nights on deep water off shore but return to the shallow shorelines to feed in the morning.

If you time it right, you'll see wave after wave of Brant flying in.

Just a male Common Goldeneye taking off ...

Lift off ...

And we're out of here ...

Meet Snow White. She's an almost pure white hybrid gull I found at French Creek.

Snow White is missing the normal pigmentation one would expect on a gull. Depending on who you ask, this is a leucistic gull.

So far 2 out of 3 have suggested this to be a Glaucous-winged x Western hybrid.

Late Spring?

My first Rufous Hummer usually arrives on Mar. 21 or 22. It's Mar. 27 now and still no sign. According to my lack of hummers, spring is late. The good news is that I heard several Yellow-rumped Warblers today so the hummers can't be far behind.

Poster note - I had some smaller posters printed. They are 30"x17.8" and the quality is excellent. $20 for plain or $32 laminated. Call or email if interested.

**************************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************

Bird Poster

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

**************************************************************************************

PUBLICATIONS

VOLUME I & II BOOKS AVAILABLE AT

PARKSVILLE & QUALICUM - MULBERRYBUSH BOOKSTORES

NANAIMO - SAVE-ON FOODS (WOODGROVE),
SAVE-ON FOODS (COUNTRY CLUB), CHAPTERS, NANAIMO MAP & CHARTS

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

[RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE]

Comments, questions, or book orders?

[Contact Mike]