Around here, there are cormorants everywhere. Parked on a log (in the photo above, sharing with a gull), or perched on a piling like the one below.
Tag Archives: birds
Duck Season
Winter time is duck season around Saturna. Duck and other birds spend time around the island, before going back up North… This is a trio of Harlequin ducks males (Histrionicus histrionicus – don’t you love that latin name?), swimming by the rocks. More info about Harlequin Ducks here.
Their paddling leaves nice tracks in the water… Just below the tracks, you can see the circular “dive” of a feeding duck.
These flashy birds (well, the drakes are flashy anyway) are only around our waters during the winter, and return to mainland rivers and streams to breed and feed during the milder months.
I took the photo at the top of this post, of unexplained ripples and wavelets in the water, because it was intriguing. There were no boats nearby…
Hawk Visits
Not only are the eagles back from their salmon feast at the mouths of various rivers… but we have also seen a few hawks, who are visiting our neck of the woods.
About a week ago, I saw this young hawk, hanging on to the perch tree out front, on a very windy day. I think it’s a juvenile red-tailed hawk (buteo jamaicensis). But I could be wrong.
Then, two days ago, we noticed an adult, perched in the big fir on the bluff, over the water, checking out the snack possibilities.
Maybe they are related…
Red-tailed hawks are often perched on the light standards of Pat Bay Highway, between Sidney and Victoria. On one particular trip, I counted seven along the highway. I wasn’t driving, that day (smile).
Noisy Neighbours: A Visit
A few days ago, we went on an excursion to the Belle Chain Islets, near Saturna Island, BC. Toby Snelgrove of Mayne Island Tours took us sightseeing. What a great morning on the water!
And what a show! Hundreds and hundreds of birds, on the water and on the rocks.
But the main act was the sea lions. After their customary summer trip up North, where they have a big party, they’re back, on the rocks next to our island.
Steller sea lions are massive creatures. Noisy, smelly, massive. The males can weigh 450–1,120 kg (990–2,470 lbs)… Big as a cow, and very ornery.
Two bulls (above) bear the bite wounds of a recent fight for territory.
These junior guys look like they are watching the big boys, learning the moves.
And right next to the big boys bellowing and fighting, or basking, depending on their mood… groups of cormorants were also taking in the sun, perched on the rocks. Looks to me like they are waiting for the ferry.
And the tour would not have been complete without the obligatory eagle shot.
A big thank you to Toby Snelgrove, of Mayne Island Tours.
Birdfeeder Visitor
My birdfeeders are a fantastic investment (I have 7 feeders spread out in the front and rear gardens…).
Since September, a pileated woodpecker has become a regular visitor and is particularly fond of the suet and mixed nuts feeders.
And I spend a lot of time in the garden on dry days (and those are getting rare), expanding the flower beds, moving manure and mulch into position, planting bulbs, moving plants. Tired, but a good kind of tired!
And on some days, I am rewarded by many colourful birds at the feeders. This Pileated guy was not very worried, and let me get surprisingly close.
A special moment…