5, 7, 9 November

5 November

 eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S121909138

weather:   9:30 am 5C wind NW 7, 1:00 pm 8C wind NNW 2, clear, scattered clouds, patchy frost

tide:  11:00 am 2.3m rising

7 November

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122038338

weather:  8:30 am 2C wind WNW 9, 12:30 pm 2C wind WSW 5 scattered clouds, occasional snow flurries

tide:  10:30 AM  2,7m, low, rising

9 November

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S122138533

weather:  8 am, -3C, wind WSW 6, 12:00 m 4C, wind NW4,  hard frost, clear

 tide:  10:30 3.5m, falling


Two chilly mornings.  Definitely moving into winter weather, although mostly sunny.

The eagles are returning, no doubt drawn by the salmon migration, and by the increase in ducks offshore and in the fields.  There are some strikingly handsome young eagles, watching out for opportunities for feasts.


The foliage along the river is brilliant, although it won't stay for long.  It's been quite windy of late.


After a truly violent, but brief storm on Friday night, which blew the cap off of my furnace vent, we had snow move in on Sunday evening.  Mostly it stayed in somewhat higher elevations.



The Gulf Islands looked to get their share of snow on their higher bits.


It was a moderate tide, with many ducks present, including four gadwalls.  Alas, they were too far offshore to photograph.  They're quite elegant ducks, not all that common here.  I'll hope for more.

An eagle (one of many) sat surveying the view, and in all likelihood, his brunch.


To my delight, the dipper is still in his usual spot on the river.  He was busy fishing on the 7th.


9 November

Gloriously sunny, but quite cold for these parts.  Still, a fine walk, and at least one great discovery.  (More anon.)

There was a hard frost, which stayed throughout the morning.  The Merganser Pond had a skin of ice on it

and presumably therefore, no ducks.  

Snow persists on the mountains in the Island's interior.



The path leading to the shore was frosty, but the light was splendid.


The eagle population is increasing steadily in the area.  I counted nine, today.


These two looked as though they were watching the nest that is once more under renovation.

And the exciting news!  I saw two--count 'em--TWO!!! dippers along the river.  Only one let me spend time photographing, and the light was tricky.  The photo isn't very good, but it highlights something I find interesting.  


...These little birds (maybe the size of a blackbird?) have huge feet.  I think it's likely to help them hold on to the bottom of the river when the water is swift.  I didn't get a photo, but indeed this one surfaced with salmon eggs once or twice.  

I'm hoping that I can continue the Dipper Saga in the future.  

Home to warm up with tomato soup and toasted cheese.








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