Blog of the Plague Year(s)

24 July  eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S115746326 weather:  8 am 20C wind NW8, 12:00m 22C wind NNW 8, sunny tide:  9:30 am 1.2 m 26 July eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S115808139 weather:  8 am 23 C wind NNW 4, 12:00m 27C wind WNW 12, sunny tide:  9:30 am 1.4m falling 27 July eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S115863518 weather: 8 am 27C wind NW 4, 12:00m 28C wind NE9 tide:  9:30 am 1.7m , falling 28 July eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S115918042I  weather:  8 am 28C wind S 6, 12:00m 28C wind N 9 tide:  9:30 am 2.1 m, falling 29 July eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S115969256 weather:   8 am 23 C, wind  N 8 , 12 noon 28C, wind N 13 tide:  9:30 am 2.5m, falling A stinkin' hot week (for these parts).  Temperatures made it into the upper 80s, and humid.  It seemed in general as though birds were keeping a low profile.  The eagles were mostly ...

22 July  eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S115557930 weather:  8 am 17C wind NW 9,  12:30 pm 20C wind ENE 12, sunny tide:  10:30 2.1m rising 23 July eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S115621279 weather:  8am 17C wind WNW 13,  1pm 20 NW 12 sunny tide:  10am 1.5m, rising Most days in the Estuary are good days, but these last two have been exceptional.  The weather was perfect, sunny, not too warm.   The fields are turning golden.  We'll hope that they won't dry out too much and risk fires. The Arrowsmith massif is shedding its snowpack, later than usual, so perhaps we won't risk drought this year. The woods and paths are in their summer foliage, and beautiful. It's starting to look as though the autumn migration may be beginning.  I haven't seen harriers since the early spring, but this female was busily watching the fields. My bird in flight photos can certainly stand to improve, but I like the way the one...

  16 July eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S115196721 weather:  8 am 15C wind SSW 4, 12m 17C wind WNW 10 Tide:  10:30 am 3.0m 18 July eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S115332804 weather:  8 am 15C wind  SSW 4, 12 m 17C wind NW 6 Sunny tide:  9:30 am 3.8m, falling  July tends to be a slow month for birds in these parts.  That said, the Estuary remains a fine place for a good walk, even though it's still been unseasonably chilly and wet.  The past few days have been more like summer, and it appears we've got some real summer weather ahead. Although it's not particularly birdy, there are some nice fledgelings hopping about. This quite newly-fledged junco was feeding on grass seeds.  He's recognisable by his white outer tail feathers.  Here's a young spotted towhee. Again, although it's not apparent in this photo, the tailfeathers were a give-away.  They had the classic white patches  on the outside co...

12-15 July Once in the High and Far-off Times, as Rudyard Kipling began his wonderful Just-so-Stories , in MY High and Far-off Times, I made visits to the west coast of Vancouver Island, once as far as Port Renfrew, and once in a rather daring circuit of the Island, to Cowichan Lake and then Youbou.  This last was --I'm not entirely certain--around 1977, with my deeply cherished friend (now alas departed) Bob Winquist, whose parents lived in Youbou.  At the time, as I recall, much of the road was yet to be paved.  In Bob's 1955 Pontiac, it was what I would consider Adventure Travel, but I trusted his judgement and enjoyed the drive.  I've not been back that way since. Recently, I decided that I'd like another look at the West Coast, without the crowding and exorbitant prices of Tofino and Long Beach, regardless of how beautiful that area is.  So I booked some nights at Juan de Fuca.   The highway is now paved. Today was gloriously clear. It’s now a bit...

  2 July eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S114247770 weather:  8 am 17C wind WNW 10, 12 m 21C wind N10,  partly cloudy then clearing to brilliant tide:  10:30 am 2.7m 6 July eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S114537528 weather:  8 am 16C wind WNW 2, 11:30 am 16C wind ENE 4, cloudy, intermittent showers tide:  10:00 am  3.2m rising 2 July Finally, a day that felt and looked like summer.  Not really hot, just a  friendly warmth, with a nice breeze.  There was a scent of warm grass mixed with the last of the wild roses and berry blossoms. Initially, there didn't seem to be much bird activity.  I wondered whether the Canada Day fireworks of the previous night had disturbed their sleep.  They did seem to emerge as the morning wore on.   There are starting to be more juveniles.  This white-crowned sparrow looks recently fledged.   I seem to recall juvenile white crowns along the California c...

  Back to Kin Beach for three nights.  My home had no water supply as it was being re-plumbed, and the campground was available.  I'd not expected campgrounds to be as available as they are, this season.  A change from last year, and a welcome one. It's not exactly wilderness, just a small campground with minimal amenities--pit potties (well maintained), fire pits, and well spaced campgrounds with fine views of the Salish Sea.   I took my time driving up, stopping at Deep Bay to admire the view of the light house and the coast. I then made my way north, stopping at a park south of Royston, with interesting logging history.  I'd passed the sign often on my way north but never quite figured out where it was before.  It appears popular and well serviced. The skies were showy this trip--clouds promising changes in weather. I explored Comox a bit before arriving at the campground.  As has everything, it's grown.   There were parachutists...