30 april, 1 May

30 April 

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S86739304

Weather:  7 am 10C wind WNW 3  12m 13C wind E 12 gust 30  cloudy, clearing

Tide 10 am 3.6m falling

1 May

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S86826826

Weather:  7 am 10C wind NW 13,  12m  12C wind NNW 12 sunny with scattered clouds

Tide:  10 am  3.9m  falling

Two gloriously beautiful days.  Friday morning looked a bit ominous, and the Canada weather office had dire predictions, but after heavy rain in the night, the morning cleared to scattered clouds and bright light.  I've taken to exploring two trails across the forest, which makes the walk a bit longer but which are very beautiful. 



Both mornings were highlighted by great horned owls.  On Friday, as I walked through the forest, a man emerged from the woods carrying not one but two tripods, a spotting scope, binoculars, and a camera.  I can't imagine how anyone can manage all that gear, but it was clear he was a birder.  He asked the usual question:  "Anything interesting?" and for once I decided to be courteous and replied, "Not yet.  How about you?"  Whereupon he pointed to a great horned owl sitting high in a fir tree, looking a bit drowsy.  No doubt a hard night's hooting.


Back on my usual route, there was a rainbow, low and to the north.



Sitting on the shore, I admired the brilliantly blue light on the Straits.


And the cloud formations over the mainland.



On my way home on Friday, I paused to try for a photo of the bushtit nest, and to my utter amazement, actually got a shot of nest and bird!


Strange nests--high density housing--sometimes as many as a dozen very sociable  bushtits can occupy one nest.  

...

and now a bit about today...

Once again, a fine morning, with fluffy clouds over the Estuary and spectacular cumulus over the mainland.  The foliage seems to get greener and more lush every day.



Turning into the path where I met up with the owl, I found a woman with what had to be a small fortune in camera equipment, aiming into a tree.  I stopped quite a distance away and said quietly, "I don't want to startle you," as I knew that she was almost certainly intensely focused on whatever was in the tree.  No response.  I waited, and she eventually put her camera down and started to move along the trail. Once again, I said "good morning," but she seemed to ignore me.  Eventually she turned back and told me that she'd found the owl, who she said, "Lived there."  Ok.  She them moved on.

I never did find the adult owl, but found this fuzzy and drowsy looking youngster.  Possibly after his bedtime.



I suspect that the stump he's sitting on is his nest.  I'll monitor the situation.

Moving through the woods, I found a brown creeper--not too uncommon, but I managed a better photo than I usually do.  They have a sneaky way of circling tree trunks which makes photography tricky.



This little character was more cooperative than most creepers and I managed an ok photo, I think.

The clouds over the mainland were spectacular.


On my way home, I checked out the flicker nest, and found Dad cleaning up after the kids.




And that was the past two days.   Some interesting nesting going on.  




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