7, 8 and 10 October

7 Oct

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S95729697

Weather:  8 am 6C wind calm, 11 am 10C wind ENE 3, clearing

Tide:  10 am 3.2m, falling

8 Oct

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S95773111

Weather:  8 am 6C, wind calm,  11 am 12 C wind SSE  4, clearing

Tide:  10 am 3.9 m, falling

New snow on interior peaks

10 Oct

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S95934657

Weather:  8 am 4C wind WSW 2, 12 m 11C wind NNW 7. brilliantly clear

Tide:  10:30 am 4.5m, at peak, falling


The season is definitely advancing.  There is now fresh snow on the Arrowsmith massif.  


It's unlikely to remain, but it does appear to have been a substantial fall.

And, of course, the bird population is changing.  There are now starting to be mallards, wigeons, and so far, one northen pintail offshore, too distant to photograph, but definitely increasing in numbers.

The river is now quite high, swift, and clear.  


Yesterday the two dippers were both singing to one another.  It was magically beautiful but I was too stupid to record their song.  Here's hoping for a second chance soon.

I think fox sparrows stay around throughout the summer, but I hadn't seen one in some time.  They're a handsome little bird.


The tide was high today, and the Straits were as still as a mirror.


The eagles are returning.  There were four of them yesterday.  Today I only saw this one, soaring above the river.


10 October

A brilliantly clear morning.  Definitely cooling down, but there is still warmth in the sun.  

The golden early light made the pond a magical spot, as did the two
mallards and the pied-billed grebe.


True to form, the grebe dove and stayed under for an incredibly long time once I brought my camera to bear on it.  


I'd be hard-pressed to explain why grebes, especially pied-billed, are among my favourite birds, but they are.   Part of it is just whimsy, I think.  I find the sound of the name lends itself to various silly puns.  But also, they tend to inhabit marshy ponds that I like.  

The two mallards and the grebe swam about together a bit.  The female mallard seemed a bit perplexed by the grebe, flapping her wings and staring at it.  The grebe seemed to feel right at home with the ducks.  The male mallard seemed indifferent.



The ducks are returning to the Straits.


There must have been at least an hundred widgeons, all squeaking at the top of their lungs.  

The tide was higher than I've seen it in some time.



The high tide and the run-off from rain and snowmelt in the high country made for a high river, calm, but full.





One of the dippers was hunting on the far side of the river, really too far for a good photo.  Still, I'm pleased to see that he/she has returned.

It was a gloriously beautiful morning.  Tomorrow is forecast to be fair again.  





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