Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve
May 25, 2010
We really enjoyed a nice walk with a lot of activity at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve today.
At the top of the stairs a very large Bumblebee inspecting Lupine flowers. The beautiful garden with picnic tables behind the Rotary Interpretive Centre is looked after by Doug and Stella, new rose blossoms added to the ambiance. We stopped for a nice visit with Doug and waved to Stella who was extremely busy with the garden.
Red-winged Blackbirds were found in Cattails.
The little Black-capped Chickadees were very insistent on getting more food from busy adults.
Cowbirds were found in several locations.
A little Willow Flycatcher posed for photos when all of a sudden, it noticed an insect flying near our heads. It took off from its perch and grabbed the insect out of mid-air right beside our heads, returned to a perch where it banged it on the branch dispatching it with vigour.
We watched in amazement as 52 Canada Geese landed in a flurry on the North Lagoon.
A female Black-headed Grosbeak perched on a distant branch in the forest across the slough near the Heronry.
Mallards were found at the East Bird Blind.
A young male Bullock’s Oriole not in full colour paused for seconds on a branch near the Heronry.
Cottontail Rabbits frolicked near the Wild Rose garden at the bottom of the stairs, while others paused to take a look at us near the Salwein creek.
American Robins were found in several locations.
Song Sparrows are one of our favourite birds, this one was singing at the East Bird Blind.
We enjoyed a nice chat with Velma at the Salwein Creek and after she went on her way we had a nice surprise, just a little too far away in the Salwein Creek forest area, was a bright male Western Tanager in full breeding colours.
Turtles were enjoying the logs behind the East Bird Blind.
A Warbling Vireo hopped about in the depths of the top of an Alder tree.
Wood Ducks are starting to moult into their summer plumage; these two were near the East Bird Blind.
A few Cedar Waxwings were seen at the Salwein Creek loop.
A Northern Rough-winged Swallow used the overhead wires at the Main Bridge to “hawk” for insects.
Two male Yellow Warblers hopped around the Willow shrubs at the Main Bridge on the South end.
We stopped in at the Rotary Interpretive Centre for a visit with Janet, Val, Charlie, Mike, Jean and Marilyn. Then we stopped outside to have a nice visit with Dawn in her lovely garden at the top of the stairs.
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.
Back To Top
|
