29 August

29 August

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S193199337

weather:  10:00 am 17C wind NW 11, clear

tide:  12:00 m, 2.3m rising

A glorious morning--just enough breeze to feel fresh, the sun's warmth pleasant.  The sky a deep, almost alpine, blue.


The river is still low, despite last week's rain.  

A very low tide, the shore barely visible.  


As I sat, drinking coffee and munching a granola bar, I was visited by a young white-crowned sparrow, who appeared to have been feeding on blackberries.  .


Further along the path, there was a small flock--maybe eight--of red crossbills.





They look to be juvenile males, transitioning from the yellow green of females and juveniles to the red of adult birds.

2 September  

The parking area at the Shelly Road trailhead had a warning notice, that had been appropriately edited.

  

My favourite month--when I lived in California, it was welcome because the days finally began to cool down a bit.  And now--the past days have definitely had the wonder of autumn to them. The forest and river leave me bereft of words--there is a fine breeze, and the sun has a friendly warmth--not hot, just welcoming.


The river remains low, but we saw pink salmon in the stream today for the first time.  

It is, of course, the Monday of the Labour Day long weekend.  I'd anticipated noisy visitors to the Reserve, but on my arrival, there was a deep quiet.  

Downstream, a doe and a fawn approaching its full growth were crossing the river.  A heron took flight as they approached.



The youngster seemed a bit cautious, although the river was low.


The tide was low, and by the time I reached my duck-counting bench, there began to be a small horde of chatty visitors.  This, too, shall pass as the season advances.  

A flock of ducks flew along the shore, too distant to identify.  At a guess, mallards.   The inevitable Canada geese made their presence known.

The flock of crossbills remains in the fir trees along the shore.  I continue to marvel at their expressive features.  I've been taken to task for describing this bird as "pensive," so I'll limit myself to "pensive-looking."  That said, I think dismissing avian cognition is an oversimplification.  They strike me as having a distinctive intelligence.


The fields and fir trees are showing the seasonal change.


The sky is taking on the hues of autumn, and the Estuary will continue to invite both avian visitors and those of us who welcome them.











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