tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21579417122232977532024-03-12T23:30:39.400-07:00Bird of the DayBirds of Victoria, BCBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-17833264105271784072022-02-12T11:11:00.006-08:002022-02-12T11:15:05.153-08:00Mountain Bluebird<p><i> Sialia currucoides</i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Appearance:<br /></b>Small thrush<br />Round head<br />Thin, black bill<br /><b><i>Male:</i></b> <br />- bright blue above<br />- paler blue on chest<br />- white belly<br /><b style="font-style: italic;">Female/immature: </b>(photographed)<br />- mostly grey-brown<br />- tinges of pale blue on wings and tail<br />- belly colour varies from pale rufous to grey</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/sounds" target="_blank">call</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4GH68uyRNb70a9E9FzzWcvfkdCrkFxfxVKiIxKmTRwyulN0Pkb7rZxpjiVIQ6tu-xjm8gS_dpXs53c3gvAvtwAK1H2SGz-SLZlu-zdyYQvZ8PMjOq5Bsc0C9TzFVH6_pSoAv2RJuc84veohFHPPkwv8Q099DCGaUSpDKWdyRegWtORzWFLpczyS87gA=s1166" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1166" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4GH68uyRNb70a9E9FzzWcvfkdCrkFxfxVKiIxKmTRwyulN0Pkb7rZxpjiVIQ6tu-xjm8gS_dpXs53c3gvAvtwAK1H2SGz-SLZlu-zdyYQvZ8PMjOq5Bsc0C9TzFVH6_pSoAv2RJuc84veohFHPPkwv8Q099DCGaUSpDKWdyRegWtORzWFLpczyS87gA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Its always funny when you arrive at a spot where a rare bird has been seen and run in to every other birder in the area. Frequently, we all stand around for what seems like hours and never catch a glimpse of our 'prey'. This morning, however, this one arrived right on cue. She and a male Western bluebird were foraging for insects, pouncing on their prey from power lines and fence posts. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Learn more about the <a href="https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/mountain-bluebird" target="_blank">Mountain Bluebird</a>. </div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-26849803002702120742021-05-08T22:37:00.003-07:002021-09-30T13:41:07.761-07:00Lazuli Bunting<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Passerina amoena </span></i><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAjVR4Ex5lQvckn_wWwSeku1JYTyZRJQ0h7NZQsJKoMGb2YKF0ScRRxSRQXzTzhUrC5j_pJDq-ExFPiHlzng3V_4Vgc2hW4ygoexg55Qu3TvCvYjuJg1iZrmfMUKiHcCP_1qMjtCU0xS7/s839/929E6054-B938-4B3B-84CD-8B93E7EE2086.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="839" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAjVR4Ex5lQvckn_wWwSeku1JYTyZRJQ0h7NZQsJKoMGb2YKF0ScRRxSRQXzTzhUrC5j_pJDq-ExFPiHlzng3V_4Vgc2hW4ygoexg55Qu3TvCvYjuJg1iZrmfMUKiHcCP_1qMjtCU0xS7/s320/929E6054-B938-4B3B-84CD-8B93E7EE2086.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Appearance</b>: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Small, finch-like songbird </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Coned shaped bill</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gently sloping forehead </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Male (breeding): </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Bright blue above </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Pumpkin-colored breast </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> White belly and shoulder patch </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Juvenile / Male (non-breeding):</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Mottled blue and tan above </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Pumpkin-coloured breast </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Female</i>: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Grayish-brown above </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Blue tinge to wings and tail </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Two buffy wing bars </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Pale cinnamon or tan breast</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This gorgeous bird has been frequenting Beckwith Park for the last few days. And he’s certainly been attracting a lot of attention singing from exposed branches in his bright breeding plumage. Unfortunately, as Lazuli Buntings are a rarity in the area, it was from birders and not females of his own species. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Listen to it’s <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lazuli_Bunting/sounds">call</a>. </span></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-79209600582653176462021-01-17T13:47:00.021-08:002021-01-20T12:02:06.591-08:00Blue Jay<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; line-height: inherit; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cyanocitta cristata</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: italic; line-height: inherit; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xd7lktVgLlB2YC1Q_-ug8VUGvgbP9l7-t_oOQGnf_SYaiCbHHI_YVyGri__bm5c6z9PRLPaBUXVu_v_m_Atzk8UNQ0z3Brp92w6Nj6zP6Xiz8XLSCjSU7ex9G3Rk4F9tTMyZni2Dbe3G/s1565/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="749" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xd7lktVgLlB2YC1Q_-ug8VUGvgbP9l7-t_oOQGnf_SYaiCbHHI_YVyGri__bm5c6z9PRLPaBUXVu_v_m_Atzk8UNQ0z3Brp92w6Nj6zP6Xiz8XLSCjSU7ex9G3Rk4F9tTMyZni2Dbe3G/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" /></a></div><br />Appearance</b>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Large, crested songbird</div><div style="text-align: left;">Blue upper parts, with black and white markings</div><div style="text-align: left;">White underparts</div><div style="text-align: left;">Black necklace</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rounded tail</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Listen to it’s <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_Jay/sounds">call</a>.</div><p>Growing up in Ontario, I was used to seeing Blue Jays year-round. However, this is the first time I’ve seen one in Victoria. Although scarce, there always seem to be a few reports every Winter. Better photos to follow, hopefully. </p><p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/blue-jay">Blue Jay</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVj0MfMbP_3KsWEB95Wj9mLS5hmcVby0t4XhNd3Zfq_Tiunf83ycS79L3OpL-A-5196CJ-dfIYMC5EGDHyh6mOH5FTTPIHXlLsYCBKeOyXbqxFnFT0HoDsQWJquBnshLfijH_hq78Wlcss/s1549/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1549" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVj0MfMbP_3KsWEB95Wj9mLS5hmcVby0t4XhNd3Zfq_Tiunf83ycS79L3OpL-A-5196CJ-dfIYMC5EGDHyh6mOH5FTTPIHXlLsYCBKeOyXbqxFnFT0HoDsQWJquBnshLfijH_hq78Wlcss/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" /></a></div><p></p>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-90758420871729479542021-01-13T13:38:00.006-08:002021-01-13T13:51:48.160-08:00Ancient Murrelet<i> Synthliboramphus antiquus</i><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i lang="la" title="Latin language text"><br /></i></i></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvhGmhTgkYFc0I6Uo9REVDPq44MIhKP4qW4jjkn6BcPYDIZrdUlHgu9PY4xEsiWv43QqRFeBhfioMHQF5JbiyAb2823FacMFwc8k1bxMNMBEodUUvumoo2RZS_lumxpnrWa0ezC6kKEqK/s754/DSC_0005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="754" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvhGmhTgkYFc0I6Uo9REVDPq44MIhKP4qW4jjkn6BcPYDIZrdUlHgu9PY4xEsiWv43QqRFeBhfioMHQF5JbiyAb2823FacMFwc8k1bxMNMBEodUUvumoo2RZS_lumxpnrWa0ezC6kKEqK/w400-h351/DSC_0005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Appearance:</b><br />Small auk<br />Black face and crown<br />Grey back<br />White underparts<br />Pale, stubby bill<br />White throat extending back and up to ears<br /><i>Breeding plumage: </i><br /> Black throat<br /> White band at neck<br /> White eyebrow<br /><br />Listen to its <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/u/1/#">call</a>. <br /><br />I stopped off at Ogden Point yesterday for a chilly walk along the breakwater. There were a number of seabirds around including Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot and a couple of these little fellows: another lifer for me and a rarity for this area. <br /><br />And now a bit of trivia for you. The name Ancient resulted from the grey back resembled a shawl draped across an old person's shoulders <br /><br />Learn more about the <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/u/1/#">Ancient Murrelet</a>.</span></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-82529071270044222292021-01-03T17:33:00.004-08:002021-01-03T21:40:08.011-08:00Rusty Blackbird<p><i> Euphagus carolinus</i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyOTGTkrKSvFKPZVUZreAKHI6RQWOqiu-mpWjfp1Pkgti9nHrcZXEffmKZIQ-5yvrgBO8I1C_2f8M2hQ-ay9BkfwT-3mBSRWNiikLEXdv6zv37wy886dwsJRVzbUTd5pQ7QY2pl8tI5Pt/s2008/DSC_0046.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1627" data-original-width="2008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyOTGTkrKSvFKPZVUZreAKHI6RQWOqiu-mpWjfp1Pkgti9nHrcZXEffmKZIQ-5yvrgBO8I1C_2f8M2hQ-ay9BkfwT-3mBSRWNiikLEXdv6zv37wy886dwsJRVzbUTd5pQ7QY2pl8tI5Pt/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Appearance:</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Medium-sized blackbird</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pale yellow eye</div><div style="text-align: left;">Slender, slightly decurved bill</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Male (breeding):</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> G</span>lossy black</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Male (non-breeding):</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span> Rusty feather edges </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> <span> </span></span>B</span>old eyebrow</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Female :</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> G</span>rey-brown</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> R</span>usty feather edges</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> B</span>old eyebrow</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> D</span>arker feathers around eye</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Rusty_Blackbird/sounds">call</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With a new year upon us and COVID making it difficult to do much else, I've decide to ramp up my birding a bit. Friday netted me a distant view of a Wilson's Snipe and a Black Phoebe in Central Saanich. This afternoon, I made a trip to King's Pond in search of a Rusty Blackbird that has been hanging about lately Happily, I located it in a large flock of Brewer's Blackbirds that flew in to partake of the bird seed liberally scattered on the ground by the many families enjoying the sunshine. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Learn more about the <a href="https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/rusty-blackbird">Rusty Blackbird</a>. </div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-75548318398466907302020-11-20T15:28:00.008-08:002021-01-20T11:29:30.836-08:00Common Pochard<p><i>Aythya ferina </i></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWbiWrtj8yZRYmG71ktb5IhnOmdDlYbJs0Hin2qL4q51EzQvCKZN3NzRFoE-EkpSYrVIiXTc4oMR9aY0DfSPG-ZC1u1BY0jWRuRGOZTkd3kbtyI43DLAOF6wH5kTjG0yxDg_oky2s8i9B/s1045/summit+reservoir+%252843%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWbiWrtj8yZRYmG71ktb5IhnOmdDlYbJs0Hin2qL4q51EzQvCKZN3NzRFoE-EkpSYrVIiXTc4oMR9aY0DfSPG-ZC1u1BY0jWRuRGOZTkd3kbtyI43DLAOF6wH5kTjG0yxDg_oky2s8i9B/s320/summit+reservoir+%252843%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>Appearance</b>:</div><div style="text-align: left;">Medium-sized diving duck<br />Triangular head shape </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Male:</i></div> Long, dark bill with grey band<br /> Reddish-brown head and neck<div> Black breast and tail<br /> Grey body<br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Dark bill with pale grey saddle<br /> Red eyes</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Female:</i><br /> Brown head and body<br /> Dark bill with narrow grey band</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Listen to it’s <a href="https://www.british-birdsongs.uk/common-pochard/">call</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This duck, a native of Europe and Asia, must have flow off course a tad as it turned up on Summit Reservoir in Victoria. This is the first sighting of a Common Pochard in B.C. and it’s caused a fair bit of excitement in the birding community. </span><div><br /></div><div>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/p/pochard/">Common Pochard</a>. </div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-6120870268785176262019-08-16T16:26:00.003-07:002021-01-03T17:37:12.827-08:00Merlin<i>Falco columbarius
</i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagNfm2A4tQvU378B_JNdGJ6sz4oDCMLSkzbei4plIHsqb90ktx4TQsq6MTj8ggAoUP68KbrNahhWLcd5gNwUMjad18SKAiD2D0qOoNogYcS0SAV6nCueBekGN7STOXTBox8xTKq5TMaE9/s1600/merlin+%25282%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="636" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagNfm2A4tQvU378B_JNdGJ6sz4oDCMLSkzbei4plIHsqb90ktx4TQsq6MTj8ggAoUP68KbrNahhWLcd5gNwUMjad18SKAiD2D0qOoNogYcS0SAV6nCueBekGN7STOXTBox8xTKq5TMaE9/s320/merlin+%25282%2529.JPG" width="169" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Appearance</b>:</span><br />
Small falcon<br />
Adult male: slaty gray to dark gray<br />
Females and immatures: browner<br />
Broad, heavily streaked chest<br />
Medium length tail with narrow white bands<br />
Dark underwing<br />
Sharply pointed wings<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin/sounds" target="_blank">call</a>.</span><br />
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I witnessed this Merlin in pursuit of a Steller’s Jay earlier this week. Although the two birds were comparable in size, the Merlin relentlessly chased its prey, performing impressive turns and other aerial maneuvers. I'm happy to say that the two birds went their separate ways without any injuries sustained. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Learn more about the <a href="https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/merlin" target="_blank">Merlin</a>. </span><br />
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-20742271220110418342019-04-04T18:11:00.000-07:002019-04-08T18:25:08.173-07:00Lapland Longspur<i>Calcarius lapponicus</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfDem1LEeHqctERx5ng9MSpeZnqvrSfUQ5R7stE7bDAlral083rqGR4hUozwMcFqfvIFrOLIAWJQHPl8fjCdslS9wQ4Bz5Rhx1KAWuMv4AcY6Tq7nkVUg1qVeiFIdwkzovBRtTgF3HtY4/s1600/DSC_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1229" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfDem1LEeHqctERx5ng9MSpeZnqvrSfUQ5R7stE7bDAlral083rqGR4hUozwMcFqfvIFrOLIAWJQHPl8fjCdslS9wQ4Bz5Rhx1KAWuMv4AcY6Tq7nkVUg1qVeiFIdwkzovBRtTgF3HtY4/s320/DSC_0240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Medium-sized sparrow-like bird<br />
Short, thick, pointed, yellow bill <br />
Orange-brown face <br />
Chestnut nape<br />
White outer tail feathers<br />
Rufous patch in wings<br />
Streaked back and sides<br />
Smudge on breast<br />
Breeding male<i>:</i><br />
Black head and throat <br />
Yellowish-white eyestripe<br />
Rufous nape<br />
White underparts<br />
Heavily streaked black-grey back<br />
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Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lapland_Longspur/sounds" target="_blank">call</a>.<br />
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A rarity in the area, this bird was seen by several birders this morning foraging on the rocks near the Cattle Point boat launch.<br />
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Learn more about the <a href="https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/lapland-longspur" target="_blank">Lapland Longspur</a>. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-50338632463238532912018-09-18T18:02:00.000-07:002018-09-18T18:13:55.317-07:00Baird's Sandpiper<i>Calidris bairdii</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OTQvqN_7DLC2AGiak53z1dZ4AliKupFERf8FAGh9OO1h3ZRUUEp_ahcM2y3_lbkdHdhTmcdPskPiMMzHTMTBAkH35pQ7zc4ySwzFf0eBRsHjOXN_S2PV7ld0COfjTxVprOnC58FYe-J-/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="667" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OTQvqN_7DLC2AGiak53z1dZ4AliKupFERf8FAGh9OO1h3ZRUUEp_ahcM2y3_lbkdHdhTmcdPskPiMMzHTMTBAkH35pQ7zc4ySwzFf0eBRsHjOXN_S2PV7ld0COfjTxVprOnC58FYe-J-/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Small to medium shorebird<br />
Black legs<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IVoho2cDAr1RmT78MyJLcI5JBtvImCD8MTZtqUs9CU8gS87LoUrYbTTXP7n6XcelQejHiKfUK73HdrlHHthJnK9DSyqVd8T9vYxqMOSdO6mvoHnK7trWfVpV65xTFW1bYDox0rjQ6O-j/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="292" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IVoho2cDAr1RmT78MyJLcI5JBtvImCD8MTZtqUs9CU8gS87LoUrYbTTXP7n6XcelQejHiKfUK73HdrlHHthJnK9DSyqVd8T9vYxqMOSdO6mvoHnK7trWfVpV65xTFW1bYDox0rjQ6O-j/s200/DSC_0077.JPG" width="145" /></a>Slightly drooping, black bill<br />
Long wings extending beyond the tail<br />
Dark brown, scaly upperparts<br />
White underparts<br />
Dark centre of rump and tail<br />
Light brown head and breast, with dark streaking<br />
<i>Juvenile:</i><br />
Buff colored breast<br />
Scaly upperparts<br />
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Learn more about the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bairds_Sandpiper/id" target="_blank">Baird's Sandpiper</a><i>.</i><br />
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-80913948315581029612018-09-08T16:36:00.002-07:002018-09-08T16:37:17.819-07:00Northern Mockingbird<i>Mimus polyglottos</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jZXpMvWlmhSv8XndxuRUEwCse0KBvbVGC0930Dm3hKXL_8I8aUzoUQSDJQa4c7lo7AQB_nMqUY1PxbAiVNbLxiVOMMChKccza2u6W1RgsrdD9l9ZP8GfWN61m1uFhvy1JQc3PHKGU5iQ/s1600/mockingbird+%2528749x586%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="749" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jZXpMvWlmhSv8XndxuRUEwCse0KBvbVGC0930Dm3hKXL_8I8aUzoUQSDJQa4c7lo7AQB_nMqUY1PxbAiVNbLxiVOMMChKccza2u6W1RgsrdD9l9ZP8GfWN61m1uFhvy1JQc3PHKGU5iQ/s200/mockingbird+%2528749x586%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Medium-sized songbird<br />
Long tail <br />
Grey-brown upperparts<br />
Whitish-grey underparts<br />
Two white wingbars<br />
White patches on wing seen in flight <br />
Black bill with slight downward curve<br />
Yellow to greenish-yellow eyes<br />
<i></i><br />
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I would never have noticed this bird if it weren't for someone else drawing it to my attention. It effectively blended into its surroundings, its drab plumage acting as camouflage.<br />
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Learn more about the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/id" target="_blank">Northern Mockingbird.</a> Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-44853593136594375732017-12-01T15:52:00.002-08:002017-12-01T15:54:49.469-08:00Long-tailed Duck<i>Clangula hyemalis</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwgjZETNhaFkwKcicYDP8U7QP8uEeCneCuYhH9-T7j3ieRdgMZhqKp3aqNgRkJ5q5dYFeaLNkVgIUMkUASiEj9CTLve7yMW20FW7B_mXs9k2YcLPnYXsljyWsuPtfPAgSXHSD4GF_t0zy/s1600/sunday+%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="111" data-original-width="256" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwgjZETNhaFkwKcicYDP8U7QP8uEeCneCuYhH9-T7j3ieRdgMZhqKp3aqNgRkJ5q5dYFeaLNkVgIUMkUASiEj9CTLve7yMW20FW7B_mXs9k2YcLPnYXsljyWsuPtfPAgSXHSD4GF_t0zy/s320/sunday+%252821%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Medium-sized diving duck<b> </b><br />
Solid, black wings <b></b><br />
White rump and belly<i> </i><br />
<i>Male:</i><b> </b><br />
Long, pointed, black tail<br />
Dark bill with pink band <br />
Black breast <br />
White back, neck and head with grey cheek patch (winter)<br />
Dark back, neck and head with white patch around eye (summer)<br />
<i>Female:</i><br />
Short, pointed tail<br />
Grey bill<br />
Brown upperparts<br />
White face with dark crown and cheek patch (winter)<br />
Dark head with white around eye and at nape (summer) <br />
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Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Long-tailed_Duck/sounds" target="_blank">call</a>.<br />
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Looking out at the ocean from Glencoe Cove towards Haro Strait, large flocks of Long-tailed ducks are not unusual at this time of year. Unfortunately, they tend to stay quite a distance from shore making it difficult to photograph their distinctive plumage. This is the best I've managed so far... but I'll keep trying!<br />
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Learn more about the <a href="http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/long-tailed_duck" target="_blank">Long-tailed Duck</a>. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-58058365160145127492017-11-10T17:14:00.000-08:002017-11-10T17:14:44.670-08:00Black ScoterMelanitta americana<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EIz7-AmqtSDKFc2f7pK6Iq2-5iNv5WDp8pMomcnKrJb-eMK0w25JPBL8ssDZJKO3UAVT4JEg4Xd4r1xfi3gLY0J8BcNDKJZkwmZ3BQSyWaVw9amw4f07PYuz9OcUY7SsRcw9CZxoiQ4-/s1600/courtenay+%2528190%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="988" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EIz7-AmqtSDKFc2f7pK6Iq2-5iNv5WDp8pMomcnKrJb-eMK0w25JPBL8ssDZJKO3UAVT4JEg4Xd4r1xfi3gLY0J8BcNDKJZkwmZ3BQSyWaVw9amw4f07PYuz9OcUY7SsRcw9CZxoiQ4-/s400/courtenay+%2528190%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Large, bulky, sea-duck<br />
Large bill<br />
<i>Male:</i><br />
All black<br />
Bulbous yellow knob on black bill<br />
<i>Female:</i><br />
Brownish-gray with pale cheeks<br />
Dark bill <br />
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Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Scoter/sounds" target="_blank">call</a>. <br />
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Learn more about the <a href="http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/black_scoter" target="_blank">Black Scoter</a>. <br />
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<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-36418807920274776972017-08-01T20:15:00.000-07:002017-09-13T18:27:57.005-07:00Cassin's Auklet<i>Ptychoramphus aleuticus</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyOH6vN0AJvGxYPzIeOP8MyETbG4alQL3372X9kr2AFca6_gks8Qptcwcui7K567qU_fE-WeCror3pPPANK15PT39D58HYPgxq82ocv9cyFm9wJlV5fJhWdUJObu4-ccWmIEFxykP0d-y/s1600/auklet+%25282a%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="352" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyOH6vN0AJvGxYPzIeOP8MyETbG4alQL3372X9kr2AFca6_gks8Qptcwcui7K567qU_fE-WeCror3pPPANK15PT39D58HYPgxq82ocv9cyFm9wJlV5fJhWdUJObu4-ccWmIEFxykP0d-y/s320/auklet+%25282a%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance</b><br />
Small seabird<br />
Dark gray above and pale below<br />
Small white crescent above eye<br />
Dark bill with pale base to lower mandible<br />
Blue feet<br />
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Listen to it's <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cassins_Auklet/sounds" target="_blank">call</a>.<br />
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A boat trip on the Juan de Fuca Strait off East Sooke Park this afternoon awarded us with a nice, close look at this auklet. There was quite a bit of excitement on board at the sighting as the Cassin's Auklet is on the near threatened list. <span class="st"></span> <br />
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Learn more about the <a href="http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird/cassins_auklet" target="_blank">Cassin's Auklet</a>.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-4187590965294166622017-07-27T21:42:00.002-07:002017-07-29T14:18:06.938-07:00Olive-sided Flycatcher<i>Contopus cooperi </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hFiTcWUrnYh37NKt-HmP5X-bBsu-BFFrwB82UGM0_tEnxaJ-76su_Oxkt6Op5KuIP1_PtIE7h-8toykKGI4NLvaPIF2NnYIHEE2AZ4TdxqdJOwZmNgLfyaa2FqxQwq_dxkYkvcn2H0BU/s1600/olive+sided+flycatcher+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="404" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hFiTcWUrnYh37NKt-HmP5X-bBsu-BFFrwB82UGM0_tEnxaJ-76su_Oxkt6Op5KuIP1_PtIE7h-8toykKGI4NLvaPIF2NnYIHEE2AZ4TdxqdJOwZmNgLfyaa2FqxQwq_dxkYkvcn2H0BU/s320/olive+sided+flycatcher+%25281%2529.JPG" width="272" /></a></div>
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<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Bulky flycatcher<br />
Short tail<br />
Large head <br />
Dark olive face, upperparts and flanks<br />
Light underparts<br />
Dark bill<br />
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Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Olive-sided_Flycatcher/sounds">call</a>. <br />
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This flycatcher was perched at the top of a tall tree waiting to catch insects as they flew by. Its distinctive "quick-three-beers" song made identification easy for a change.<br />
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Learn more about the <a href="http://www.birdweb.org/Birdweb/bird/olive-sided_flycatcher">Olive-sided Flycatcher.</a> Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-54036231420727765462017-04-18T19:01:00.001-07:002017-04-18T19:01:28.521-07:00Townsend's Solitaire<i>Myadestes townsendi</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AlO8kGWWmqfKds80kKp8GcjoKjMJpnrQrmmfDwZLWm09aMils_Xv81mCI347hp8I7mpI9kQEhdw7B0ecYgPldNWA5IFnmEuqLh8Iv6yESy1G2FfxLo25QOwJ_Xi9dbYvPe25G6TLomiZ/s1600/townsends+solitaire+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AlO8kGWWmqfKds80kKp8GcjoKjMJpnrQrmmfDwZLWm09aMils_Xv81mCI347hp8I7mpI9kQEhdw7B0ecYgPldNWA5IFnmEuqLh8Iv6yESy1G2FfxLo25QOwJ_Xi9dbYvPe25G6TLomiZ/s320/townsends+solitaire+%25286%2529.jpg" width="247" /></a><b>Appearance:</b><br />
Slim, medium-sized songbird<br />
Short bill<br />
Small, round head<br />
Long tail<br />
Grey overall<br />
Prominent white eye-ring<br />
White outer tail feathers<br />
Buff wing patches <br />
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Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Townsends_Solitaire/sounds">call</a>.<br />
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<span class="char-style-override-9">We spotted this bird in the Garry oak meadow in Mount Tolmie Park this morning. Cleverly camouflaged, its plain grey plumage blended so well with the trees that it was difficult to keep in our sights. </span><span class="char-style-override-9"></span><br />
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Learn more about the <a href="http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird/townsends_solitaire">Townsend's Solitaire</a>.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-69171620695787967812017-04-09T19:42:00.000-07:002017-04-18T19:44:05.841-07:00Black Phoebe<i>Sayornis nigricans</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5S5v9k5MsVSB6ntLPfKFwYoT6CaWMYhDZQN5xu8rg_k-6kUE_kEc-__bblObedsYULdFXZ7KRQ6RitN7-tVqCKkzZQJIMg06Ol-ZpiCgMzr8tWJmLiL787GqnsI80cHe8GLieZ7lo89Q/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5S5v9k5MsVSB6ntLPfKFwYoT6CaWMYhDZQN5xu8rg_k-6kUE_kEc-__bblObedsYULdFXZ7KRQ6RitN7-tVqCKkzZQJIMg06Ol-ZpiCgMzr8tWJmLiL787GqnsI80cHe8GLieZ7lo89Q/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance: </b><br />
Medium-sized flycatcher<br />
Large head <br />
Medium-long, squared tail<br />
Slight peak at rear of crown<br />
Straight, thin bill<br />
Dark charcoal gray upperparts and chest<br />
Darker black head <br />
White belly<br />
Pale grey edges on wing feathers<br />
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Listen to its<a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Phoebe/sounds"> call.</a> <br />
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A rarity for Victoria, one of these birds has been hanging around Maber Flats lately. Unfortunately, I needed a scope to see <i>that</i> bird making it impossible to take a decent photo. Luckily, I did have this one in my photo library taken a few years ago in San Diego. <br />
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Learn more about the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-phoebe">Black Phoebe</a>.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-1029219846804019632016-12-29T13:10:00.000-08:002016-12-29T13:10:51.195-08:00Brandt's Cormorant<i>Phalacrocorax penicillatus </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2-RhGRQf7X3hhRQ_gFNKALrhyqqWV4c64Gg3krWG-T7FyseXz0hM-X8weLbSP2OI00YlAPQbLuP2ww0S1_M8k4BJzZMwhsY58eD5kLriAc8n-S1BDiSrhBZ7cxeLZnL1f7j07c_WhSIC/s1600/NOV16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2-RhGRQf7X3hhRQ_gFNKALrhyqqWV4c64Gg3krWG-T7FyseXz0hM-X8weLbSP2OI00YlAPQbLuP2ww0S1_M8k4BJzZMwhsY58eD5kLriAc8n-S1BDiSrhBZ7cxeLZnL1f7j07c_WhSIC/s400/NOV16.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Large cormorant<br />
Long black body<br />
Long, slender neck<br />
Short black legs <br />
Dark bill with blunt or hooked tip<br />
Pale patch at base of bill<br />
<i>Breeding:</i><br />
Blue throat patch<br />
White plumes on sides of head, neck and back<br />
Turquoise eyes<br />
<i>Immature: </i>(photographed)<br />
Brownish-black upperparts<br />
Tan on underparts<br />
Pale "V" at the border of breast and neck<br />
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Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brandts_Cormorant/sounds">call</a>.<br />
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There are three species of cormorant commonly seen along the coast in Victoria: Double-crested, Brandt's and Pelagic. I frequently have difficulty identifying the two larger species at a distance. At this year's Christmas Bird Count, one of the more experienced birders gave me a pointer which I'm happy to pass along. Although the Brandt's Cormorant is approximately the same length as the Double-crested Cormorant, the latter holds its neck slightly crooked whereas the Brandt's Cormorant's neck is almost always fully extended in flight. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBPcxNEq_VFy6SVdpHyG9tz0u2PUiQWcNuKpYcD74_rdKU_u62FbItJPeLzWsP9IDlHjlOnmyXajBGiZHcQnavvt7a3DgmmHJs0piVL2u5s9FRcCXHrTp_Aujdbl3FFsM2jKQzeqmJLWv/s1600/day+2+%252894%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBPcxNEq_VFy6SVdpHyG9tz0u2PUiQWcNuKpYcD74_rdKU_u62FbItJPeLzWsP9IDlHjlOnmyXajBGiZHcQnavvt7a3DgmmHJs0piVL2u5s9FRcCXHrTp_Aujdbl3FFsM2jKQzeqmJLWv/s320/day+2+%252894%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Learn more about the <a href="http://www.birdweb.org/Birdweb/bird/brandts_cormorant">Brandt's Cormorant</a>. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-43856969330099080492016-12-11T17:07:00.000-08:002016-12-13T19:54:03.290-08:00Tropical Kingbird<i>Tyrannus melancholicus </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPcr0nCnluDWhlgEGRVI3ee9ySfnE4kN6S2ruBn6vYS_nOgwVgThqYydEMcBvKAHQUAWcwUikiO0sm2G7I8riSphK5hnp-GXmin9BoK-cWur7PCbLp0c0OsBl9kNTf7SIFMb6T1LFsmKh/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPcr0nCnluDWhlgEGRVI3ee9ySfnE4kN6S2ruBn6vYS_nOgwVgThqYydEMcBvKAHQUAWcwUikiO0sm2G7I8riSphK5hnp-GXmin9BoK-cWur7PCbLp0c0OsBl9kNTf7SIFMb6T1LFsmKh/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwz2P1tglBMRaQbvFXZ7LonoO_X_l6zVPZYJW_BTjv0RMy8DAOCljiDlj5rSZH5R9wIJs8gPymIKUgd590e4SPkQ15mRSJFwPR5iMhCYgUem2vtKvp1EGVxrFakJ2R2YitWkEwiC_ih9i/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwz2P1tglBMRaQbvFXZ7LonoO_X_l6zVPZYJW_BTjv0RMy8DAOCljiDlj5rSZH5R9wIJs8gPymIKUgd590e4SPkQ15mRSJFwPR5iMhCYgUem2vtKvp1EGVxrFakJ2R2YitWkEwiC_ih9i/s320/DSC_0072.JPG" width="192" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_979976485"></span><span id="goog_979976486"></span><br />
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Large flycatcher<br />
Heavy gray bill<br />
Gray head<br />
Darker eye mask <br />
Grayish-green back<br />
Brown wings and tail <br />
Pale throat <br />
Bright yellow underparts <br />
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Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tropical_Kingbird/sounds">call</a>.<br />
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This photogenic bird was hanging out in Ten Mile Point last weekend. Although a rarity to the area, records of Tropical Kingbird sightings occur annually in southwestern BC.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10f1YFBcT8KVX_XRU5Vxf_dnQFctq7JUbwBxcbenwllmsc8dksOpmXhnuLpmvCfMGNrq79dh1ng_fakxXPm9FT5yJNI_nESQVDYVdHyRzwpGlSCSowzpo7Ma_F2GDxcl7wBSpMIHVRDiI/s1600/tropical+kingbird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10f1YFBcT8KVX_XRU5Vxf_dnQFctq7JUbwBxcbenwllmsc8dksOpmXhnuLpmvCfMGNrq79dh1ng_fakxXPm9FT5yJNI_nESQVDYVdHyRzwpGlSCSowzpo7Ma_F2GDxcl7wBSpMIHVRDiI/s320/tropical+kingbird.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Learn more about the <a href="http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/tropical-kingbird">Tropical Kingbird</a>. <br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-80708108029070428272016-12-11T15:57:00.000-08:002016-12-11T16:27:54.014-08:00Red-throated Loon<i>Gavia stellata</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1sHHRVbGQ7uPnrtlK8rJeg-w8SPfZqYPviSv_seSGhJb93W9jiAeDfjhg-_RJrw4NG3qEyxINnJDin7a36uYhVmUdsEGNJMNqBJCFgC6R0QSZu4LOKAsdmsDXI426LM-qY9KPFbXnDwy/s1600/sunday+%2528286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1sHHRVbGQ7uPnrtlK8rJeg-w8SPfZqYPviSv_seSGhJb93W9jiAeDfjhg-_RJrw4NG3qEyxINnJDin7a36uYhVmUdsEGNJMNqBJCFgC6R0QSZu4LOKAsdmsDXI426LM-qY9KPFbXnDwy/s400/sunday+%2528286%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Small, slender loon <br />
Thin bill, tilted upward slightly<br />
Red eyes <br />
White underparts <br />
<i>Breeding plumage: </i><br />
Black bill <br />
Triangular red throat-patch <br />
Dark grey-brown back, head and neck<br />
Narrow black and white
stripes on the back of the neck <br />
<i>Non-breeding plumage:</i> (photographed)<i><br /></i>
Pale grey bill <br />
Pale grey-brown back, speckled with white<br />
White throat and face, extending above the eyes<br />
Dark grey head cap and neck<br />
<i>Juveniles:</i><br />
Pale grey bill <br />
Brownish-grey plumage, with no pattern on back<br />
Pale neck<br />
<br />
Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-throated_Loon/sounds">call</a>.<br />
<br />
The lone call of a loon is haunting: similar to a wolf howling but more delicate somehow. This sorrowful sound is not, however, a sign of unhappiness at being alone. It is actually used to contact or attract the attention of a mate. <br />
<br />
Learn more about the <a href="http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/red-throated_loon">Red-throated Loon</a>.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-68335918490577711512016-11-21T19:54:00.001-08:002016-11-21T19:54:52.047-08:00Red Phalarope<i>Phalaropus fulicarius</i><b> </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX4DWcfN9mMwnObu0nv4qxyqmPP6eVCzF1udsYuuU2k0BwYZVhNPeeja6TmXkO-L3ElOhZDr1VM-4GDXJ0LEtyXvc5mzdRFcQd6d40xOAaYpckN8tKJOaVs3TEsIvNs1T0TWsJxjsgNnE/s1600/day+2+%2528108%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX4DWcfN9mMwnObu0nv4qxyqmPP6eVCzF1udsYuuU2k0BwYZVhNPeeja6TmXkO-L3ElOhZDr1VM-4GDXJ0LEtyXvc5mzdRFcQd6d40xOAaYpckN8tKJOaVs3TEsIvNs1T0TWsJxjsgNnE/s400/day+2+%2528108%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">non-breeding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Appearance</b>:<br />
Smaller wader<br />
Straight bill<br />
Short legs <br />
Lobed toes<br />
<i>Adults</i><b><i>:</i></b><br />
Distinct white stripe down the wing<br />
Dark stripe down the tail<br />
Contrasting color on sides of rump <br />
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<div>
<i>Breeding plumage: </i> <br />
Rufous neck and underparts<br />
Dark brown and black above<br />
White cheek patches<br />
Yellow bill<br />
Black cap (female) / Brown cap (male)<br />
<i>Non-breeding plumage</i>: (photographed)<br />
<div>
Light grey above, unstreaked</div>
<div>
White below<br />
White head </div>
<div>
Black ear patch behind the eye</div>
<div>
Black bill with lighter base</div>
<i>Juveniles:</i><br />
Black backs edged in buff<br />
Buff underparts and head<br />
Dark patch through the eye
<i> </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Listen to its <a href="http://macaulaylibrary.org/search?media_collection=2&taxon_id=12013720&taxon_rank_id=67&q=Red+Phalarope">call</a>. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Although phalaropes are sandpipers, which are typically shorebirds, these birds spend most of the year out at sea. They are also one of the few birds where the female of the species is more colourful and larger than the male. This is because the females are polyandrous. They have to look good to attracted the attention of multiple males. In contrast, the males need to be duller to avoid detection of predators while providing most of the parental care.</div>
<div>
<br />
Learn more about the <a href="http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/red_phalarope">Red Phalarope</a>.</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-50128339995761750442016-11-12T17:27:00.002-08:002016-11-12T17:27:46.403-08:00Yellow-headed Blackbird<i>Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize8aos3LvKzv5YnaSrv3MogVxdgU-Lb0SFTGxtegO43tTFddYXYgK7Q8c2uqMw06rCW341DXXcDfyfrmZN1sL4RbuFa1-kr-pbqLwKn-xY6wzqvBzHkurzrcCj3dHQYjwMLX2kOvJZjty/s1600/yellow+headed+blackbird+%252896%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize8aos3LvKzv5YnaSrv3MogVxdgU-Lb0SFTGxtegO43tTFddYXYgK7Q8c2uqMw06rCW341DXXcDfyfrmZN1sL4RbuFa1-kr-pbqLwKn-xY6wzqvBzHkurzrcCj3dHQYjwMLX2kOvJZjty/s320/yellow+headed+blackbird+%252896%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Medium-sized blackbird<br />
Long, pointed, conical, black bill<i></i><i> </i><br />
<i>Male:</i> <br />
Black body<br />
Bright yellow head and breast<br />
Black face mask <br />
Distinct white wing patches<br />
<i>Female:</i><br />
Grayish-brown body<br />
Dull yellow head and breast<br />
<i>Immature male</i>:<br />
Similar to female<br />
Dark smudging on yellow head<br />
Some white at bend of wing<br />
<br />
Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-headed_Blackbird/sounds">call</a>. <br />
<br />
I took a short walk on the Galey Farms trail by Blenkinsop Lake today and spotted this bird in a field among a large flock of Red-Winged Blackbirds and Starlings. Another was perched on a wire with hundreds of other birds of similar size and shape. Luckily for me, they stood out in the crowd.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHH-k5yxCbiZFwVXWIEljkZkg-yAq8QXLIlRlpDC7PmnpTxBRfmcgQahPVf-nKn2HWs7nO-l7HmJbwmRJg3ygHMNZ9Ju9FyFbBlAqfN7rWMhCFbYvm_ecTIqIA8TxOpOYG27hTQP47szMK/s1600/yellow+headed+blackbird+%2528174%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHH-k5yxCbiZFwVXWIEljkZkg-yAq8QXLIlRlpDC7PmnpTxBRfmcgQahPVf-nKn2HWs7nO-l7HmJbwmRJg3ygHMNZ9Ju9FyFbBlAqfN7rWMhCFbYvm_ecTIqIA8TxOpOYG27hTQP47szMK/s320/yellow+headed+blackbird+%2528174%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Learn more about the <a href="http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/yellow-headed_blackbird">Yellow-headed Blackbird</a>. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-14724068432026178982016-11-02T09:46:00.000-07:002016-11-02T09:47:25.107-07:00Western Gull<i>Larus occidentalis </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGmrCD-csN-2qCCqrs_uwjtxDhqR7xU8LcW-5vg97CVWktRYQmx9M1pJKqnZNyUau8G_twjju2lqKdsIIxd_KZr1elG635WUqNSdrZZq_ESi-gmNtiOZxUpB_iHDJqSsphyphenhyphen1wLKA8t2Ll/s1600/western+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGmrCD-csN-2qCCqrs_uwjtxDhqR7xU8LcW-5vg97CVWktRYQmx9M1pJKqnZNyUau8G_twjju2lqKdsIIxd_KZr1elG635WUqNSdrZZq_ESi-gmNtiOZxUpB_iHDJqSsphyphenhyphen1wLKA8t2Ll/s400/western+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Large gull<br />
Dark gray back <br />
White head and underparts<br />
Dark grey wings with black tips<br />
Large, yellow bill with red spot near the end<br />
Pink legs<br />
<br />
Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Gull/sounds">call</a>.<br />
<br />
When feeding young gulls at the WildArc where I volunteer, we are
told to put the food in red dishes. Why, you ask? I can only assume it is to
mimic the small red spot near the end of the adult's bill that chicks
peck in order to stimulate feeding.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCvoh7e4MB_GY3Jz9yI-fh_GlDKkVfntVeFKaSqIoVYDRPIw8KQ8f7u2vCq8Lss-7-gMeKAOiNIZGOB4H5myIl4ztIdmyORdVNr5uFjqUFg9EOjd6MubmvSRVZrxEf9pOAJBPnT2w_CQA/s1600/western+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCvoh7e4MB_GY3Jz9yI-fh_GlDKkVfntVeFKaSqIoVYDRPIw8KQ8f7u2vCq8Lss-7-gMeKAOiNIZGOB4H5myIl4ztIdmyORdVNr5uFjqUFg9EOjd6MubmvSRVZrxEf9pOAJBPnT2w_CQA/s320/western+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Learn more about the <a href="http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/western_gull">Western Gull</a>. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-76152596158050490792016-10-08T20:20:00.000-07:002016-10-09T13:36:58.610-07:00Swainson's Hawk<i>Buteo swainsoni</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyPNMA9bHm1W7kaZ971qr2YTCw28WnNLXffFKTUkl5kGwthbcKFQo33uz34QSi3uQF3pwuXaqNXO2_yNtt9ON69mhmPOaJFlOf4mdfCDoYLSY5PNROCu59J1XFxqUjRA0rvOrWfiRYm4j/s1600/swainsons+hawk+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyPNMA9bHm1W7kaZ971qr2YTCw28WnNLXffFKTUkl5kGwthbcKFQo33uz34QSi3uQF3pwuXaqNXO2_yNtt9ON69mhmPOaJFlOf4mdfCDoYLSY5PNROCu59J1XFxqUjRA0rvOrWfiRYm4j/s320/swainsons+hawk+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Large, slim hawk<br />
Long, pointed wings <br />
Dark flight feathers <br />
<i>Light-phase: (photographed)</i><br />
Dark brown upperparts<br />
Reddish-brown bib<br />
White belly and underwings<br />
Dark head with white surrounding bill, extending down to throat and up to eyes<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhkduHaUtNE20eAa-Esd6HQ7CTpSItIo_sEeYBVoJc7wF1DamGD8OgrcUn8taCAT17sOVflxwTV1f0tNwerlc3H_NGvw8gvCx_fBPrEmkPk2W9X1_NPUAhFy3OPUeo9ushDnVRTd6-lnc/s1600/swainsons+hawk+%252815%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhkduHaUtNE20eAa-Esd6HQ7CTpSItIo_sEeYBVoJc7wF1DamGD8OgrcUn8taCAT17sOVflxwTV1f0tNwerlc3H_NGvw8gvCx_fBPrEmkPk2W9X1_NPUAhFy3OPUeo9ushDnVRTd6-lnc/s200/swainsons+hawk+%252815%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tail has about six narrow dark bands and one wider sub-terminal band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Dark-phase:</i> <br />
Dark brown overall<br />
Reddish-brown belly and underwings <br />
<br />
Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swainsons_Hawk/sounds">call</a>.<br />
<br />
This hawk was flying fairly low over a field at Rocky Point Bird Observatory yesterday. Birders more experienced than I (me?) identified it as a light-phase, second year bird as its bib is incomplete with a patchy mix of brown and white feathers.<br />
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Learn more about the <a href="http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/swainsons_hawk#">Swainson's Hawk</a>. <br />
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Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-87189484110317482092016-09-30T19:08:00.000-07:002017-02-06T18:13:59.183-08:00White-throated Sparrow<i>Zonotrichia albicollis</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8f1BbREkkZBeSB9tsu3YOIxWAUbi53jfSagb1MN2Efh5IB-NcdxzatlRW92OzQmJxv2KxnKXEbYuwEGEGFzXk3kH8nBJXduBlEmXkW3iqQ71q11w40AQtLazC4xzDpQdS4eBjazL-l3b/s1600/white+throated+sparrow+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8f1BbREkkZBeSB9tsu3YOIxWAUbi53jfSagb1MN2Efh5IB-NcdxzatlRW92OzQmJxv2KxnKXEbYuwEGEGFzXk3kH8nBJXduBlEmXkW3iqQ71q11w40AQtLazC4xzDpQdS4eBjazL-l3b/s320/white+throated+sparrow+%25286%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Appearance:</b> <br />
Medium-sized sparrow<br />
Rusty-brown striped upperparts<br />
Two white wing-bars <br />
Grayish underparts<br />
White throat <br />
Black and white striped crown<br />
Black eye line<br />
Yellow lores (spot between eye and bill)<br />
<br />
Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/sounds">call</a>.<br />
<br />
The White-throated Sparrow comes in two forms: white-crowned and tan-crowned. On tan-striped birds, the white and black crown is replaced with tan and brown. In addition, the white throat is split in three sections by dark streaks descending from the bill.<br />
<br />
Here's an interesting fact that I came across in my reading -- males of both morphs prefer females with white stripes and both morphs of females prefer tan-striped males. <br />
<br />
Learn more about the <a href="http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/white-throated_sparrow">White-throated Sparrow</a>. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157941712223297753.post-30331853275846668572016-09-25T16:26:00.000-07:002016-09-25T16:26:26.383-07:00Great Horned Owl<i>Bubo virginianus</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18NyCLl3QImEZYBZ7rqGGU5dI584JrCWfO7AXPBvLK-jxo4BEtIKuDdgBHfh0QhnILpH6mKW0-FKEBAn5YsAZdXxTqAwHDrK_J-NEuhMPFBSMhzAijb2XBpR5RbjMvoGwYuypnVGn3PfB/s1600/great+horned+owl+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18NyCLl3QImEZYBZ7rqGGU5dI584JrCWfO7AXPBvLK-jxo4BEtIKuDdgBHfh0QhnILpH6mKW0-FKEBAn5YsAZdXxTqAwHDrK_J-NEuhMPFBSMhzAijb2XBpR5RbjMvoGwYuypnVGn3PfB/s320/great+horned+owl+%25283%2529.JPG" width="230" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Appearance:</b><br />
Large, powerful owl<br />
Bold, yellow eyes <br />
Long, ear-like tufts<br />
Prominent facial disk<br />
Mottled brown plumage with white and black barring<br />
White throat<br />
Horizontal bars on belly<br />
<br />
Listen to its <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/sounds">call.</a><br />
<br />
Although I often hear a pair of these outside my bedroom window at night, this is the first time I've seen one in the daylight. He/she was napping in a tree by the Swan Lake parking lot this morning. Despite its size, the owl managed to blend in with his surroundings remarkably well. <br />
<br />
Learn more about the <a href="http://www.hww.ca/en/wildlife/birds/great-horned-owl.html">Great Horned Owl.</a><br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08542336395585534052noreply@blogger.com0