Seeing how the Spring-like conditions have brought some flowers to blossom, my mother and I went for an afternoon stroll in front of my old school today.
The Moon was also visible in the daytime, and I thought the flowers and branches framed the Moon nicely. Plus, I like the bokeh.
Close-up on the flowers.
While cutting through the neighborhoods, we spotted a Black-capped Chickadee (
Poecile atricapillus) flying in front of us. While I was hoping to photograph the bird, my mother (from another angle) saw it poked its head into a tree and came out. Examining it closely, I realized this is a cavity!
The hole is probably quite a bit larger than a loonie and about 2 meters above ground. You can't imagine how excited I was when I saw this - since I just spent the entire summer looking at nest cavities. I didn't spend too much looking at it since the chickadee was back and I did not want to disturb it. [Hugh of
Rock Paper Lizard also saw the cavity excavation by chickadees last spring.]
Then we slowly walked to the dyke.
Not a happy duck to be photographed...
My mother seemed to be on a roll today and pointed out this bird to me when I didn't even see it. It's an American Bittern!
The bittern went into its usual
stop-raise head-move again routine.
It has been a while since I
last saw this bird. So gorgeous! And good to know it is still around.
We were hoping to see the Bald Eagle today but they were not around when we got there. However, shortly after we sat on the bench an eagle had arrived.
Thank you!
My mother also said
hello to her friend, the heron.
Moon watch of the day.
Another Great Blue Heron as we slowly walked home. This one was on someone's roof.
Enjoying the sunset.
And pretty soon, the sun disappeared behind the island.
So grateful to have my mother with me on my walk, otherwise I wouldn't see so many new things today.
.
Nicomekl River, but I must be upstream because it certainly doesn't look what Wanderin' Weeta had described.
Entrance into a magical place!?
Who is that!!?
The hole is probably quite a bit larger than a loonie and about 2 meters above ground. You can't imagine how excited I was when I saw this - since I just spent the entire summer looking at nest cavities. I didn't spend too much looking at it since the chickadee was back and I did not want to disturb it. [Hugh of Rock Paper Lizard also saw the cavity excavation by chickadees last spring.]
The bittern went into its usual stop-raise head-move again routine.
Moon watch of the day.
Another Great Blue Heron as we slowly walked home. This one was on someone's roof.
Enjoying the sunset.
And pretty soon, the sun disappeared behind the island.
Not a cloud in sight.
A Cooper's Hawk, perhaps? Because of the finer brown streaks on the upper breast.
A Bald Eagle was already in the nest when I came out. It was sticking its head (the only reason I could spot it) and perhaps looking for its partner?
Hooded Mergansers and Gadwalls were spotted at the Terra Nova slough.
I think today was a day when I saw the most Short-eared Owls in all of my outings. I think I saw them at least five or six times today, with at least two individuals observed.
The pink flowers goes great with the blue sky background.
Close-up on the flowers.
We saw several Common Mergansers, as well as one female Bufflehead.
Bald Eagles across the river.
Then we arrive at the bridge and the outlook area.
Where the Mallards and Wigeons were dozing off in this gorgeous sunny day.
The usual male Bufflehead was around, but this time he has a female beside him. I wonder if it was the female I saw earlier.
In the midst of the peacefulness was this female Belted Kingfisher, circling around the water and continuously diving into the water. It caused quite a racket among the ducks. I wish I was able to photograph it's gracefulness diving into the water...
Then the kingfisher disappeared. But appeared again and flew on to the tree where a Great Blue Heron was also nearby. Can you spot the two birds in this picture?
Pair out at the same time.
Another point-of-view of the pair. I wonder who's the male/female?
Blue sky.
Young Great Blue Heron.
It was a female Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) searching for food within the long-dead trees.
Searching for food again. I think it was digging for insects rather than drilling for them, because I didn't hear anything loud drilling noises like the ones I usually hear from woodpeckers and barbets.
Arriving at Garry Point Park. At the edge of the rain-filled pond was a group of Ring-billed Gulls.
Saw a pair of shy Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator). Such peculiar looking birds with stylish crowns.
Mt. Baker and Pilot.
Saw this Northern Harrier when I biked home - just looking around and resting.
