Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve
January 17th to 24th 2010
We have had some remarkable weather for winter and have taken total advantage of it by getting out for our walks every day. This week, our pedometers told us that we have passed the 300 mile or 490 km mark carrying our cameras. We purchased the pedometers at the end of May and only measure the mileage that we do carrying our cameras.
The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve echoed with the sounds of happy birds enjoying a break from the winter winds, rain, snow and chilly temperatures. The barometer rose and the mercury climbed as high as 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 16 Celsius one afternoon.
Red-winged Blackbirds called to each other and showed their prowess at mating displays.
Bufflehead Ducks bobbed their heads to each other and spent time leisurely preening.
Mountains in the distance still show us their winter snow caps and the skies still held grey clouds although some days the sky was too blue to believe.
Black-capped Chickadees whirled around each other calling as they savoured the break from the winter storms.
Double-crested Cormorants carried on as usual, preening, drying their wings, swimming and fishing.
Brown Creepers crept up trees on several days finding insects that had awakened in the warmer temperatures.
Northern Red-shafted Flickers and Downy Woodpeckerspaused in their incessant hunt for insects giving us a chance to get a photo.
A young Bald Eagle perched in a Cottonwood along the edge of the dyke road near the Rotary Interpretive Centre.
Hawks and a Peregrine Falcon were perched in trees on several different days; they were drawn to the sounds of all the song birds.
We found over four dozen House Finches in the Blackberry shrubs at the parking lot. There were so many that they reminded us of a bush laden with ripe red fruit.
Deeper in the forest at the Salwein Creek Loop area, we found a small flock of Purple Finches. The males have such a rich colour while the females are similar to the female House Finch in colouring.
Canada Geese spent time floating quietly along on the lagoons.
Pied-billed Grebes floated and fished while we watched from the East Bird Blind.
Great Blue Herons are gathering in larger numbers behind the East Bird Blind and in other spots now. The warm weather has them thinking of their nests and soon at the end of February they will be building nests and choosing mates.
Five Bewick’s Wrens chattered at each other and vied for territory near the East Bird Blind.
Juncos were happily dancing through the edges of the forest and easily found on the ground and in shrubs near us foraging for food. One of them had a most interesting combination of colours on its side, a most artistic set of pinks mixed together in its feathers.
Golden-crowned Kinglets accompanied the Black-capped Chickadees through the Salwein Creek Loop.
Mallards quacked and quacked and quacked some more. They seemed to be enjoyed each other’s company more than usual.
Female Hooded Mergansers floated past us in a beautiful spot of sunlight.
A young Signet Trumpeter Swan paddled along on the South Lagoon; it was alone but a flock of Trumpeter Swan adults flew over calling and soon it followed them.
Male and female Spotted Towhees enjoyed the slight warmth that the sun gave off while they sat in the Blackberries, a great place for protection from a lot of predators while relaxing.
American Wigeon were found on both lagoons and behind the East Bird Blind.
Wood Ducks called to each other and relaxed behind the East Bird Blind.
We enjoyed our visits with Bonnie, Barb, Mary, Val, Janet, Mike, Marcia, Muriel, Christine, Walter, Gordon and Leon at the Rotary Interpretive Centre. We also had a lovely visit with Herm and Brenda at the East Bird Blind, Rick on the path to the East Bird Blind and Scott in the parking lot while taking photos of the House Finches.
We are not authorities on birds, wildlife, plants, cameras or photography, if you are doing research on any subjects, please refer to a more educational site for advice and double-check whatever you research.
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