2-6 October

2 October

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S95493082

weather:  8:30 am 11C wind SE 7, 11:30 am 12C wind SE 3, cloudy

tide:  10 am 1.6m, rising

4 October

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S95600085

Weather:  8:00 am 6C wind WSW 2, 12:00m 11C wind NW7, increasingly cloudy

tide:  10 am 1.5m, low tide, rising

6 October

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S95684059

Weather:  8:00 am 5C wind SSW 3, 12:00m 10C wind NNW 10, clearing 

tide:  10 am 2.5m, falling

2 October

Back in home territory.  A threat of rain throughout the morning but nothing materialised.  Not particularly birdy, although there were an harrier, an eagle, and a merlin, none of which yielded photos.

The wind that had been forecast throughout the Island and mainland must have been stronger here in Parksville than it was in the north.  There was evidence of high and swift water in the river.


The cedar that fell last spring and became a bridge across the river had shifted and now runs the length of the river.


The river was still high, and turbid, despite a very low tide.



6 October

In a couple of respects, a remarkable morning.  

The eagles are returning.  I don't really know if this is the same bird who roosts on top of this fir tree often, but he does have a rather proprietary air about him.


...Then again, I've yet to meet a self-effacing eagle.  Today I counted four eagles, I assume drawn by the salmon run.  I also assume this is a left-over from and eagle breakfast.  Ick.




There were a pair of northern harriers--went past too quickly for photos, but nice to see.  

It had rained heavily for much of last night, and rain was forecast for this morning, but instead it shifted to brilliant clarity.

Early on, there was a mist over the fields, glowing in the early sunlight.


The golden-crowned sparrows are back, too:


It was a bit chilly this morning, and birds looked fluffy.

The view from the duck-watching bench reflected the somewhat changeable weather




A low tide, and ominous weather over the Gulf Islands.

Despite the low tide, the river was quite high, swift, and turbid.  






The change of season is becoming evident in the foliage.

To my delight, there were, not one, but two dippers along the river.  I only managed a photo of one;  the second headed downstream.  I'll be interested to see how the duo continues.  It would be wonderful if they reproduced in the spring.


Walking home, I was struck (!) by the gradual change in foliage.



I'm happy to say I was NOT struck by this change:  


It appears that several large branches of a willow had come down while I was wandering the estuary.  The path didn't look like this when I set out this morning.  Whew. It  might have been a bit punishing had my timing been off.








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