16, 18 February

16 February

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S102751390

weather:  9 am 7C wind W8, 1 pm 9C wind NW 14,  sunny

tide:  10:30  3.6m, falling

18 February

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S102909230

weather:  9 am 5C wind N 3, 1 pm 8C wind E 14.  cloudy

tide:  11 am 3.4m

16 February

Glorious sun.  I suspect that I over-use that phrase, but after the past dark months, it becomes somehow unavoidable.  

I find it curious that as the weather clears, the number of bird species I can spot diminishes.  I've no idea why this should be.


That said, it was a fine morning to be out.  The skies were wonderful, as was the sea.


The tide was down, leaving views of the flats.


It appeared to be overcast on the mainland, but there was a relatively good view of the islands to the northeast.

The river is down and calm.  The foliage is changing toward spring.



18 February

Cloudy, but mild temperatures.  A low tide, with ducks in small numbers, visible at a distance.




Somehow I wound up with two rather odd full-face photos of a Steller's jay and a peregrine falcon.



The jay does seem a bit disapproving.  Perhaps I was intrusive?

The peregrine was a bit of a treat.  There was a nice young couple and a nice dog (on lead!) at the observation mound, photographing the peregrine.  They asked me what it was, whether it might be a Cooper's hawk.  I explained the difference and showed them some photos from my iBird app, confirming that it was indeed a peregrine.  They said they'd never seen one before, and were quite excited to see it.  They were from Victoria, and exploring birding sites on the Island.  We had a pleasant chat, and I suggested a good place for lunch and directions to Deep Bay, which tends to be very birdy indeed.

I managed a couple of photos.


Here is another full-face photo, looking bemused.



I don't see the prey, but there were feathers drifting down from the roost, so I assume he'd found something nice for his lunch.





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