9-13 july

9 July

9 July 

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S91490873

weather:  6 am  14C wind W2, 10 am 20 C wind NW 20  scattered clouds

tide:  8:30 am 2.5 m

12 July

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S91657586

Weather:  6 am 14C wind W5,  11 am 20C wind NNE10 clear

Tide:  8:30 3.7m, falling

13 July

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S91704442

weather:  6 am 14 C wind WSW 7, 11 am 20 C wind NNW 10, clear

tide:  8:30 am 3.8 m, falling from peak

Warm mornings, with a breeze standing up as the morning wears on.  A time for juvenile birds, and frazzled looking adults carrying bugs to their demanding offspring.

It had been windy the night of the 11th.  I could hear the surf throughout the night, the Salish Sea had whitecaps.


The Arrowsmith massif is now almost clear of snow.


It appeared that some brave soul had cleared the bald-faced hornet's nest from along the path, but by the 13th, the hornets were busily rebuilding.  

Apparently, in addition to being aggressive, they're determined creatures.  There are many people who walk dogs along this path--I could see this becoming a hazard.

The fields are now quite dry. 



Parksville is in what is termed a drought condition as it's now some weeks since we've had any rain.  In comparison to the western states of the US, the situation is not all that severe, but there is a lot of grass, and it could become a fire hazard.  There is a possibility of rain forecast by the end of this week.  We'll hope.

There is always an abundance of juncos in the fields and woods, and now there are abundant juvenile juncos.



This little character is showing attitude.  

There are also many spotted towhees.  For whatever reason, I've never seen all that many juvenile towhees, but this one was obliging.  His markings are quite different from the adult, apart from the white corners on the end of his tail.





It has always seemed to me that adult towhees look ill-tempered, but this little creature looks relatively pleasant.  

And finally, a juvenile Anna's hummingbird.  They're been breeding and fledging for over a month.  Like most juvenile birds, his feathers look rather disheveled, but I'm sure he'll grow into a beauty.









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