CLEAR THE RUNWAY - California Gull ready for take-off.
California Gulls on Parksville Beach
Black Brant at Parksville Beach
Mar. 10, 2004
PHOTO FEATURE - HERRING SEASON
It's an annual rite of passage in the Mid-Island when the waters turn creamy turquoise and one of the miracles of nature unfolds before our eyes. For 1 or 2 weeks there is an amazing convergence of fish, birds, mammals, and humans to take advantage of the Pacific Herring spawn.
GULLS BY THE THOUSANDS appear from nowhere for a gourmet feast of herring and herring-spawn-on-kelp. The gulls take an eating break while the fishers load their herring skiffs in the background.
SEALION LIFE IS GREAT - Eat till you can't eat any more then lie around, relax, and eat some more.
THE LOOK OF CONTENTMENT ...
Photo left - LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS - Visiting gulls at French Creek enjoyed the luxury of 5-star housing much to the chagrin of homeowners.
Photo right - VISIBILITY ZERO - Ever tried swimming in milk? The baffled Buffleheads were wondering where their food went.
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SHOTS FROM ALL OVER
IMPRESSING THE LADY - These Denman Island Common Goldeneyes were bending over backwards in an effort to impress the lady. (She was more interested in their credit ratings!)
TOTALLY UNIMPRESSED - The Columbia Beach Black-bellied Plovers wondered why everyone was so excited about the herring spawn.
SEAFOOD DIET? - Not for the Denman Redtail. A fat little mouse would be just fine.
VICTORIA BEAUTIES - No Surf Birds or Rockies, but the Clover Point Harlequins were fun to visit. (They probably prefer tea and crumpets over herring roe.)
SOMENOS SCENE - Trumpeters in the marsh.
SOMENOS SCENE - Mallard and Northern Shoveler.
[6]SOUTHISLAND [7]BIRDCARDS [8]ODDSHOTS [9]JOURNAL 2 [10]JOURNAL [11]JOURNAL 3
[12]CONSERVATION [13]JOURNAL 4 [14]JOURNAL 5