photo - Northern Pintails were among the many ducks enjoying the spoils of the herring spawn.

Post Spawn Activity

By mid-March the bulk of the herring spawn was completed. Most of the gill-netters had achieved their quota. Meanwhile, the seiners did not fair as well but chalk that up to a benefit for the environment if that meant more escapement for the herring.

For the most part the herring spawn occured during an unusual period of excellent weather - mostly sunny days with very little wind. While that made for safe and efficient fishing, it meant less than the usual amount of herring roe that was washed ashore. That meant a lot less energy-rich fare for the dabbling ducks and gulls that usually feed at the tide line after the spawn.

As usual, the post-spawn period provided some excellent opportunities for photography. While nothing usual crossed my lens, there was ample bird activity to keep me busy.

I didn't find any concentrated activity with the eagles but at any location there was bound to be an eagle or two. On March 10 at Deep Bay I was watching the Brant and duck activity along the shoreline while an eagle flew towards me. I tracked its line of flight hoping it would catch a fish. Therer was no fish this time but I was pleased to catch a photo of it landing on a rock.

While I was a Deep Bay I was hoping to catch up to the Horned Grebe at the end of the spit. I didn't see it for awhile but patience paid off. About 30 minutes later it silently swam past me. A close look at the photo confirmed that it was starting to molt into its breeding plumage. I meade a mental note to return in two weeks.

From year-to-year you never know where the best photo opportunities will occur. This year my best spot was San Pareil. While there wasn't the usual mounds of herring roe, there was enough to attract a small number of ducks. While numbers weren't great, the lighting and wind conditions were fine and the few ducks that were present were fairly cooperative.

There were about ten Barrow's Goldeneyes foraging near the shoreline. I'm not sure if the roe was laced with some aphrodasiac but after dining several ducks got in the mood. There was the usual pre-mating rituals and then the mating.

The mating procedure looks rough with thw male pulling the head of the female, but the female was quite comfortable and seemed tobe enjoying it all.

It wasn't just the Barrow's Goldeneyes that got the memo. The Green-winged Teal also followed the program.

While the numbers of ducks wasn't hight there was a good variety. A small bunch of Harlequins hung out at the north end of group.

Most of the ducks were dabbling and diving for the roe, but on Green-winged Teal found it was easier to forage while standing.

To add to the excitement a group of Dunlin couldn't seem to find a place they liked and ended up flying by several times. Although I have never seen a Dunlin feeding on roe, I wouldn't be surprised it it were on their menu.

It wasn't just the Dunlin that were searching for the best place to forage. There was a constant stream of ducks heading back and forth. That provided the perfect opportunity to work on flight shots. You shouldn't have any difficulty identifying the female Mallard.

The male mallard is even more distinctive whith its emeral green head.

The long bodies of the Northern Pintails were designed for powerful long distant flying.

Here's the female American Wigeon, but I was unsuccessful at photographing a male.

As usual gulls were everywhere and as usual each species seemed to stick together. In the location it was mainly California and Mew Gulls. That's a California in the photo.

This year the best place for Brant viewing an photography was along the beach at Eaglecrest. As the tide retreated hundreds would fly in to feed on the roe.

On March 16 Idecided to travel to Hornby Island for the dual purpose of delivering books to the Hornby Island Coop and to check out the birds in Lambert Channel. I wasn't disappointed as the channel was full of Pacific Loons. It was too windy and too distant for photos but I enjoyed the views through my binoculars.

While waiting for the fery on Hornby I amused myself by photographing the Double-crested Cormorants. The resort wharf next to the ferry terminal is always a favorite roosting spot for cormorants and they are constantly coming and going. This one is coming and it is on its final approach to the dock.

This one is going - probably out to catch a fish for lunch.

On the way home I thought I had found a Glaucous Gull. However, Guy pointed out some field marks that suggest a Glaucous-winged hybrid.

March 31 - one of the many wonders of spring is the transformation of some birds into breeding plumage. The one I always watch for at French Creek is the Common Loon. The checkerboard back and duo green and white necklaces are sublime.

A new addition to French Creek Marina has been the sea lion colony on the booms in the southeast corner. The constant noise and activity was very disturbing. Not only did it keep the birds away, it also kept me away.

A spring surprise - normally the Bald Eagles by Chrome island lay their eggs at the end of March. This year they got an early start. The first egg was laid around March 12 and the second around March 15.

Based on the incubation time of 5 weeks I projected around April 18. How close was I? Next journal coming soon (I hope).

xxxxx

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Bird Poster

My poster is on display at: Victoria - Swan Lake Nature House. (Note: This poster has been produced in a more manageable size and is now available for $20 unlaminated and $32 laminated.)