22, 23 July

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 above shows the "owl-like" face of a female harrier.  

It's also been some time since I've seen mallards, common as they are.  These three look like females, but I suspect they're juveniles in early plumage.  The bill looks to be duller than it is on females.



The summer birds are still very much present.  There was a pair of western tanagers near the viewing mound.



I'm not sure what the female (the second photo) has in her beak.  I suspect she's carrying food to nestlings somewhere.

There was a very cooperative willow flycatcher near the benches.


As I was headed homeward along the path that runs between the forest and homes, I met up with a big flock of bushtits.  I haven't seen them lately, and was interested to watch them. As I turned my binoculars on the fir trees in which they were partying (after the manner of bushtits)--"Oh my goodness!  THAT'S not a bushtit"


No, indeed, not a bushtit.  A young barred owl, who sat and studied me for some time.  I'm pretty sure he's a youngster--a bit on the smallish side, and still showing bits of down in among his feathers.


Owls are fairly common along this part of the path--I wonder whether the human habitation might attract rodents, which in turn would attract owls.  Dunno.  

Anyhow, yes, it was a fine couple of days.  The sunny and warmer weather certainly is welcome.




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