Post by Gord on Sept 16, 2010 22:26:59 GMT -8
Today the sun came out which was not what the forecast was suggesting.
From the dyke these Turkey Vultures were drying their wings and enjoying the sun's rays.
As I tootled about, I thought I heard a Grey Catbird calling. As this would be the latest on record for us, I figured I should confirm. Sure enough, there it was feeding on some berries.
I took the chance to peek around for a moment and nearby in a small flock of chickadees and warblers a silhouette of something 'different' caught my eye so I watched for it. As it moved into better light, I could see it was a Blackpoll Warbler. Neat! Not far from here a House Wren let the world know it was there with its noisy scolding. Wow, one would think they're common or something!
With that in mind, I was not terribly surprised to find another one in the same place as last week. These guys were plenty far enough apart and in a short time span to all be eliminate the same bird. Poor Chris!
A nice Savannah Sparrow posed in the sun.
Out on the water were several species of gulls (Glaucous-winged, Ring-billed, California and Herring) and a Caspian Tern resting on a gravel bar. Hardly any swallows but I heard a handful of Violet-green Swallows fly overhead. A dozen Vaux's Swift were among them. Two Swainson's Thrush were nice mid-September birds to see. I kept my field notebook and tallied 51 species while I was there.
The Sockeye salmon are utterly amazing. They are jumping everywhere still. These Harbour Seals are looking pretty fat and content. Note the fish jumping and/or the splashes they make in the pictures. I have not seen this many sockeye since I was quite young. Let's hope things are such that numbers continue to improve and remain consistent. Salmon are such important parts of our ecosystem!!
From the dyke these Turkey Vultures were drying their wings and enjoying the sun's rays.
As I tootled about, I thought I heard a Grey Catbird calling. As this would be the latest on record for us, I figured I should confirm. Sure enough, there it was feeding on some berries.
I took the chance to peek around for a moment and nearby in a small flock of chickadees and warblers a silhouette of something 'different' caught my eye so I watched for it. As it moved into better light, I could see it was a Blackpoll Warbler. Neat! Not far from here a House Wren let the world know it was there with its noisy scolding. Wow, one would think they're common or something!
With that in mind, I was not terribly surprised to find another one in the same place as last week. These guys were plenty far enough apart and in a short time span to all be eliminate the same bird. Poor Chris!
A nice Savannah Sparrow posed in the sun.
Out on the water were several species of gulls (Glaucous-winged, Ring-billed, California and Herring) and a Caspian Tern resting on a gravel bar. Hardly any swallows but I heard a handful of Violet-green Swallows fly overhead. A dozen Vaux's Swift were among them. Two Swainson's Thrush were nice mid-September birds to see. I kept my field notebook and tallied 51 species while I was there.
The Sockeye salmon are utterly amazing. They are jumping everywhere still. These Harbour Seals are looking pretty fat and content. Note the fish jumping and/or the splashes they make in the pictures. I have not seen this many sockeye since I was quite young. Let's hope things are such that numbers continue to improve and remain consistent. Salmon are such important parts of our ecosystem!!
I can't believe the increased number of sightings recently of this species.