Island Deborah nature photography Vancouver Island

Various pictures of GBH taken on Vancouver Island (Salish Sea) in 2020. They spend 90% of their time looking for food. As our area develops it is important with diminished habitat that we let them feed in peace. In up coming breeding season you can look for subtle changes in their colouring. During breeding their lore will turn bright blue- the iris will turn reddish, and the bill will take on an orange hue. They can survive in most wetlands which is a great reason to keep our wetlands in tact as opposed to being seen as useless and okay to develop. Both the males, which are generally larger, and females care for the nestlings which fledge at around 2 months. (Salish Sea - Vancouver Island (ponds on)- 2020

Stay safe everyone.

This group of pictures shows eagles congregating at the landfill in our area, it includes the separate areas for garden refuge etc. From what I could find out this is common practice and eagles do okay but there are dangers involved too. Animals that have been killed with lead pellets then eaten by eagles can cause lead poisoning which causes nerve damage, (check it out, it is heart breaking as there is no treatment). In many cases rotting food etc can cause illness as well. ...Young eagles are more inclined to use these sites because they aren't quite as good at catching prey as the adults. In several of the research papers it mentioned late fall, early winter is the prime time, which is definitely the case in our area. I don't know anything about hunting so not sure what people use in our area but if lead pellets are still used they are not good for our wildlife that eat the carrion if it is left. As we humans continue to take away their habitat it will become a larger issue in our community. Again these are just thoughts to encourage discussion for all of us to learn. Parksville Dec 24. See more

These were taken at Deep Bay, sunrise, cold but worth it for the light. A selection of birds which is always fun and a challenge. Ducks from what I understand will drink both saltwater and fresh water which is enabled by special glands, and they excrete the saltwater through openings in their beaks. Another marvel!!!What a way to spend Christmas-Eve morning, solo on the beach, watching these lovelies. Happy Holidays to everyone

Bufflehead Ducks are such adorable small ducks. In these pictures I watched a male diving, and because the setting was dank and dark I was able to watch his div...ing a wee bit below the water. I loved how the tale entered the water so I have included quite a lot of those entries. You can also see that one duck watched out as a guard while the other one dives. This doesn't happen all the time but regularly enough that you can note them always being cautious. They forage for insects, crustaceans and mollusks depending on whether they are in fresh water or saltwater. They fly in small numbers and for the most part are monogamous. Small wee ducks with big heads...love those colours. taken dec 20 Nanaimo See more

I had spent the day out looking for signs of migration, birds returning, salmon,....I didn't find too much ...then came home and a large flock of one of my favourites was in my osier dogwood ..bushtits. I believe the lighter ones are young ones, because they seemed slightly smaller, but I'm not sure just could be a variance in colour. The evening light and the reddish fading osier dogwood leaves it the perfect setting for them. Nanoose Bay Oct14

Worth Reading...we just seem to be getting duped from all angles.

Cooper's Hawk, believe we saw one adult and two young but couldn't be 100% sure. They are amazing to watch flying through the forest at top speed. In this case the crows were chasing and annoying them but they stood their ground. They let out a high pitch call when hunting which was a great hint they were on their way towards us ~~. they hide in the trees waiting for some unsuspecting prey. They dove into the fields and then back up to the trees, all within seconds. Strathcona Park Oct 7

The greater Yellow Legs are often at French Creek Marina these days. It is interesting how the killdeer seem to be their guardians, calling out to announce their arrival or conversely to announce danger when they should take off...just an observation not data on that.French Creek Sept 27

A couple of very unexpected pics of a harbour seal with a salmon dinner. I just stopped at the bridge in the hopes of gaining some understanding where we were fish/bird wise and this seal showed me his catch. Lovely to share information...they are the best~~~

Would love ID confirmation, I was thinking this was a young ring-billed gull but not sure. .... Thanks Guy Monty for confirming this is a mew gull...I'll keep trying

Another thing we should speak up about and protect...again we are running out of time.

I have written and posted many pictures of the Northern Pgymy owl over the years. Today I have a tidbit more information, thanks to Guy (knows everything about birds) Monty. It seems one way to tell the young ones is that they only toot and even at that not many, where the adults do the trill call and the toots...I love it!!! In any case the first picture in this posting is the standard pose, the others are "on the fly" so to speak. They aren't the best pictures photographica See More

Our trip to Malcolm Island was pretty sweet as always however, I was sad to hear that the mink were absent from the beaches because of so many dogs. I love taking pictures of the mink but it didn't happen this trip. However, the birds were, as always fun to observe usually heading away from me, ah well, I just sit in my kayak and see what shows up.I have included names in the pictures. Mid sept

Please come and join us.

The Northern Pygmy Owl is the size of a robin, hard to spot in situ a lot of the time but they are mighty hunters . Illusive is the word often associated with them but then when they feel comfortable they will come and perch for quite awhile. You just never know. The females are slightly darker. They usually hunt during the day and evening which make them easier to observe. Parksville Sept 10

Sooty Grouse,...these birds survive in older growth forests, as they require the diversity of trees and plants that this setting provides. They move to higher altitudes in the winter. The young feed themselves right away on insects ants, beetles and grasshoppers. Then with the onset of fall berries, (salal etc) and then the move on to fir, hemlock and pine needles. Their incredible digestive systems adapt to the varying diet as the seasons change. This was a mother with 2 young ones.