Tag Archives: Bird Photography

nature, Photography

In the Duck Zone

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During the summer our resident mallard duck flock scatters all over the parks, beaches and gardens. They can be found almost anywhere, especially if there’s a bit of water nearby.

Skaha Lake beach, July

When the sun starts to shine and the days become warmer, they quickly abandon their over-wintering spot in Penticton Creek. Right now, only a few can be found there.

Penticton Creek, August

But when it gets colder, they will occupy “Duck Creek” once more, and lots of people – including the city – will make sure they have enough to eat to generate the calories they will need to make it to spring.

February dinner time.

Have a duckie day!

Reblogs

The House wrens are back in town

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That time of the year has come again, when the migratory birds return to their old nesting grounds. New and old birds come by, and some of them …

The House wrens are back in town

I hope you enjoy this lovely post from Christie at 1000 Places and Memories. Please click the link above to read the whole post and to view her pretty wren photos and short videos.

Reblogs

Red Hot Pokers

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The hummingbirds and Bullocks oriole share the red hot pokers, but not at the same time.  These photos are from another year, as it’s a bit early for…

Red Hot Pokers

I hope you enjoy these stunningly gorgeous captures from Anneli at wordsfromanneli. Please click the link above to see the rest of the photos and to visit her blog.

nature, Photography

The Okanagan’s Smallest

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The Okanagan Valley is home to the cutest little quail that run – they do fly if they have to but mostly they run – very quickly through parking lots, across roads and under low-lying bushes.

More than once I have been completely startled by 20 or more quail bursting from under some bushes because they have been frightened by either me or something else that I didn’t see.

They will also burst out of hiding to distract predators from their chicks. These little birds are very small. They’re about 17cm (6.5 inches) long and weigh about 75g (3 ounces), so you can imagine how tiny their chicks are!

These birds are not native to British Columbia; they are in fact an invasive species brought here about 100 years ago. However, since they have not posed any kind of threat to any other species, they have found their niche and BC is now home.

Except for this species, that is. Every time they surprise me by bursting out of the underbrush, I have to find my heart and put it back!

Happy Wednesday.

nature, Photography

More Busy Birds

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It’s a busy time of year for birds. They’re migrating, or nesting, or getting ready to nest. I’ve noticed that many of the mallard ducks have paired up.

This couple seemed quite content until another male tried to interrupt. That action caused the female to fly away.

A bit later, I saw her surrounded by four males, all trying to get her attention. She took off again; apparently she wasn’t impressed with their behaviour.

I’ve seen this lone coot in the same location for a few days in a row now. Today I realised that her/his partner is already sitting on a well-concealed nest at the water’s edge. Unlike mallards, coots mate for life and share the work of incubating, protecting and raising their young.

I hope to see the amazingly colourful coot chicks – they are orange and red and only turn black when they reach adulthood – in four or five weeks when their parents will begin teaching them how to survive in the water.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

It’s Springy!

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There are springy signs everywhere! First, I noticed a few days ago that the red maples have very suddenly started budding.

These trees are loaded with pink buds that are so pretty against the blue sky.

They will soon be leafing in great profusion.

Then I saw that the large koi in the Japanese garden fish pond have come through the winter and their dormancy in good shape.

Passing near the creek the always-hungry ducks were happy to see us with our bag of quinoa snacks, and I noticed that the green head feathers of the males are beginning to turn very iridescent, a sign that they will soon be mating.

I hope signs of spring are happening where you are, too.

Happy Wednesday.

Reblogs

Partridges Without A Pear Tree

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PARTRIDGES WITHOUT A PEAR TREECome hither, seek refugeUpon our verdant lawn.Safe from hunters whoseek to drive your kind forth.Your two bulbous …

Partridges Without A Pear Tree

I love this partridge photo series from Annika Perry. I hope you click the link above to view all the pictures as well as to read her accompanying poem. It’s beautiful.

Commentary, nature, Photography

Bright Captures

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In common with the rest of western Canada, we’ve suddenly turned colder. We’re still above 0C (32F) during the day but are going below 0 at night. Meanwhile, Vancouver, very unusually, is apparently going to get wet snow and minus temperatures overnight as well. Ugh.

Of course, here in the Okanagan Valley we have it comparatively easy. Much of the prairies are getting highs around -20C (-4 F). Strangely though, a lot of the east is coming in at +20C (68F) but may be getting much colder toward the end of the week. Nevertheless, if you’re about to travel from east to west, a 40 degree temperature difference might make for a bit of a packing challenge – such wild weather!

So to take our minds off these bizarre differences, I thought we could do with some brighter pictures of what is to come.

Nuthatch cuteness.
Eagle magnificence.
A butterfly tea rose.
A sunflower with friend.
Southern sunset beauty.

Happy Tuesday.