For the most part today, the sun shone, not that it was all that warm, but still it was pleasant to go for a walk over at Harrison Bay...
where it is very 'green' and 'gold' with the dandelions in full flower lining the dike.
The first surprise of the day was....
spotting this Bewick's Wren....and actually being able to get a photo! We've seen them in this particular spot several times so must be nesting there.
and speaking of nests....
we aren't sure, but we suspect that the baby Bald Eagles might just have hatched out because when the adult you see above arrived at the nest, there was a great deal of vocalization - more than you'd think if he was just meeting his mate.
after doing his food delivery, he rested momentarily on this snag.
there were a number of swallows although not as many as there have been other visits...this Tree Swallow perched long enough for a photo.
the White-crowned Sparrow pair were at their particular blackberry bush....not yet settled into nesting it would seem.
also in a spot where it was seen before is this Savannah Sparrow. Not sure that they nest here but since it seems to be staying put, perhaps they do.
this Canada Goose is still sitting on her nest on top of the pilings....
and then speaking of nests on pilings!!!!
we seem to have an abundance of Osprey this year. This is the pair that have been here for a couple of weeks now. Not yet settled to sitting on eggs...
and here is another pair....still in the nest building process as both were carrying sticks...
and yet another nest under construction over here.
Back along the dike...
there is lots of song, but with the newly leafed trees the little birds are difficult to spot...but did find this male Yellow-rumped Warbler.....
and an Orange crowned Warbler.....
as well as a pair of Black-capped Chickadees, still courting....of course when the pair were together, the camera refused to focus....
and over seeing it all....
this male Rufous Hummingbird.
If April showers bring May flowers then May will be pretty colourful!
Because we sure have been getting the showers! Rather frustrating when you are trying to get outside chores accomplished....and as you can see from the above...
the water continues to rise. This was taken this evening. At the current rate we won't be able to look at this view pretty soon as it will all be under water.
So haven't got anywhere interesting the last few days but did take a few photos of birds in the yard today...
that includes this female Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker. The Brown-headed cowbirds are back in force (2 males and a female above). Lots of Purple Finch (2 males above) and numbers of White-crowned Sparrows have increased too. (1 above)
Steller's Jay out there too.
Hoping tomorrow we will get back to Harrison Bay during the day to see what is happening. In the meantime will leave you with this evening view.
We didn't know it at the time but I guess our 'Earth day' walk to the log bay was the last walk to the park for the next, who knows how many months because the water levels that had been sitting stagnant, have risen considerably.... so our walks the last couple of days have been elsewhere....
we didn't get to Harrison Bay until after supper yesterday....and were surprised at how much everything has advanced since we were last there....the dike is lined with Dandelions....those, oh so important early source of food for our bees.
the Red Elderberry bushes are in full flower....and notice all the Canada Geese feeding out there in that very green field.
the Pacific Choke Cherries are in flower too.....there weren't many birds showing themselves but this American Robin cooperated for a photo.
The Poplar Trees are really leafing out but can still make out the Bald Eagle's nest.
this picture gives an indication of why there weren't many birds....the wind had come up and rain was moving in fast.
This morning we walked down to the boat launch...
where this American Robin was getting it's breakfast....
and this male Red-wing Blackbird was one of several staking out their territories.
A big surprise....
and sorry for the quality of the photo...were seeing these Cliff Swallows in our gazebo! Now for years and years the roof of our gazebo has hosted nests of Barn Swallows....I have never, ever seen Cliff Swallows in it although when one thinks about it, it is a perfect location for them. It will be interesting to see if they set up residence.
and since this isn't part of IBA BC033, I'll only post the one photo from our afternoon walk....this being an area near Agassiz.
On earth day (although in my mind, everyday is 'earth' day!)....there 'otter' be something special....
and out there, swimming along....
was this River Otter.... we watched a while as he snorted and snuffled along....
and came up with a fish....not sure what kind...looks kind of strange...
The Otter wasn't the only special sighting....
This male Common Yellowthroat was at the first bay.
While there was a lot of 'yellow' at the log bay...
American Goldfinch everywhere you looked!
this shot shows a female on the left with a male on the right.
male Red-wing Blackbirds....busy calling and establishing territories...
and swallows...all varieties are back now....think this is a Northern Rough-wing Swallow but even saw a Barn Swallow today....they are always the last to arrive.
American Robin.....this one by the viewing platform where also saw this
little guy...a male Rufous Hummingbird. Definitely not the only one seen but the only one that sat still for a moment.
It is always amazing what one can see when you just sit and watch for a few minutes. That is what Dempster (my little dog) and I did this afternoon...
over at the log bay. We are sitting on the bench that parks conveniently placed in this spot.
the female Mallard was preening herself on the end of the log while her mate snoozed in the water nearby.
Steller's Jay were working over the logs....not sure what they were up to.
a pair of Canada Geese was on the point to the north of the bay....
Red-wing Blackbirds were calling back and forth...
an American Robin came down for a bath...
quickly joined by a male American Goldfinch....and since yesterday was the first day we'd seen a goldfinch this season....
it is deserving of a second photo.
Song Sparrows have been quite active.....
and so have the Spotted Towhee....
and Ruby-crowned Kinglet are in just about every willow....you just have to watch for a minute and one will show up.
apologies for the quality of this photo, but did want to post it, partly to mention the Rufous Hummingbirds that are zipping around everywhere, but also to show it feeding from the flowers of the native Black Twin Berry that are just starting to bloom.
also in flower, finally, are the Salmon Berries. Last year they were in flower before the end of February!
wandering back home....
there was actually a Bald Eagle in one of the 'eagle' trees.
at the boat launch, there was this little herd of Bufflehead...I'm surprised that they are still here, would have thought they would have headed north by now.
and those Common Merganser that have been hanging about for several weeks now were there as well. They, of course, do nest here in the area although the males will take off and leave the females to raise the young.
I could hear Killdeer out there too but couldn't spot them. One other item of note, saw the first Orange Crowned Warbler of the season this morning....hadn't taken my camera on that walk....you'd think I would have learned by now to always have it with me.
