Robbie's Ramblings

My Cat is Crazy!

2012-01-01T20:29:00.001-07:00

Scooter and I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Wings on Wednesday

2011-12-14T12:21:00.001-07:00

Wednesday’s Fuzzy Wuzzies

2011-12-07T01:17:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T10:37:00.001-07:00

Just What I Needed……

2011-11-06T12:01:00.001-07:00

…….a morning walk, and where better to take one, the local Nature Sanctuary .

I have been trying to get here and explore since we moved but have yet to get a chance, until now. I am impressed. There were the familiar sounds of Black-capped Chickadees off in the distance while some dined at the fresh suet.

There were plenty of nesting boxes scattered throughout the area, even a large Purple Martin house.

The trails through the sanctuary are about 80% boardwalks which makes it nice for walking and also lifts you off the ground by a few inches and away from disturbing any ground nests.

There are also three viewing platforms, two which look over the large pond and one that allows you to see across the opens fields.

Of course, no bird feeder is complete without a squirrel.

It was a bit chilly for many critters and other then the songs of the chickadees, it was very quiet. There is snow in the forecast for next week so I’m thinking I won’t get back here until spring.

I’m excited for my next visit as birds will be starting to migrate through and the nesting boxes will humming with activity. It’s about a fifteen minute drive from my home and I know I’ll be there often…….so until then, I will waiting for the snow to fly to blog of a crisp white winter wonderland!

A Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-26T13:23:00.001-06:00

I’m Alive…..

2011-10-21T21:01:00.001-06:00

…….not that there would be any reason that I wouldn’t be, it’s just been forever since I have blogged.

We moved!!

We left Mission, British Columbia to settle into our new home here in Spruce Grove, Alberta and I love it here. Yes, I miss my friends and the sons that didn’t make the move with us but I feel so relaxed and comfortable under the wide open sky here on the prairie!

Everyone we have met here has been so very friendly and helpful and have all had a spot for me to check out when I tell them I am a birder. As of yet, I have not had a real good chance to get out and check these places but I have managed to snap a few shots of the Magpies and Blue Jays that visit my yard.

Our pets have all adjusted amazing well as well as all us humans! We are all unpacked and everything, well almost everything, has a place to be. Today we picked out paint colours and next weekend the brushes will be brushing and the rollers rolling.

I haven’t much more of interest to share, just wanted to let y’all know I’m still out here and hopefully will have lots more photos to share. So, until next time, everyone take care!

Wednesday Wonders

2011-06-29T04:59:00.000-06:00

Flower Power

2011-06-03T23:32:00.001-06:00

I have been some what convinced that it has been raining here since October, so when the sun came out the other day I grabbed my camera and headed out to my garden.

I spent some time out there admiring the blooms that had survived the beating of the miserable wet skies and then started playing with different settings on my Rebel.

I used my Montana Clematis as my subject and was quite pleased with the results.

Wingless Wednesday

2011-05-18T04:59:00.000-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2011-05-11T12:13:00.001-06:00

Happy Hump Day ;-)

2011-05-04T04:59:00.000-06:00

Good Day Sunshine!

2011-05-02T16:24:00.001-06:00

Ok, so there were no life birds to add to the list yesterday but there was, sunshine!!
It’s been months since Kim and I had been out together to do any birding mostly due to weather, so we put our faith in the weatherman and planned to head out to Reifel. We were not to be disappointed, the sun shone bright and the temperatures quite mild.
Most the usual suspects were there to great us along with some seasonal favourites and a pair of Sandhill cranes who have nested and laid two eggs. Last year, the cranes successfully hatched and raised one of the eggs and today the young colt blends right in with the adults. One can only hope for at least the same outcome this year.
Here is a photographic diary of our day in the sun!

Tree Swallows
Black-capped Chickadee
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Red-wing Blackbird (female)
Momma Crane on her nest
Gadwall
Lesser Yellowlegs
Cackling Goose
An uncooperative Marsh Wren
Green-wing Teal
Canada Geese
A pair of feathered rats..oops I mean Pigeons ;-)
I took some time to admire some lovely spring blooms while Kim followed the hums of a Rufous Hummingbird.

The rains have returned today and I am stuck inside these four walls with fingers crossed I will get out again soon. Until then, I have my backyard birds to keep me happy.
Look who’s back in town…….

Today’s Visitors

2011-04-08T19:35:00.001-06:00

Dark-eyed Junco

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Bushtits

Black-capped Chickadee

Black Squirrel

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-06T04:59:00.000-06:00

A Blog of a Different Sort

2011-04-05T12:44:00.001-06:00

Hey, what do ya know, I’m still around.

It’s been quite awhile since I sat down and posted a blog of any sort so I thought I would take a few minutes and let you all know what I have been up to….renovating!

From bathrooms……

Before

After

……..to kitchens……

Before

After

……..and everything in between……

Before

After

All this hard work to sell this house and move to really start to enjoy our retirement. We are moving from the hustle and bustle of the lower mainland to the relaxed and easy going prairies.

The birding blogs will return when the sun starts to shine and the rain ceases to fall. Then once we get moved I will have new trails and birds to discover and I will be eager to share them all!

Stay tuned!

Wings on Wednesday

2011-03-16T04:59:00.000-06:00

A Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-09T04:59:00.000-07:00

Holy Macro

2011-02-24T15:31:00.001-07:00

One thing I am very interested in doing, is macro photography, so, last summer I gave it a try. Since I am still learning my camera and a macro lens does not fit into my budget at the moment, I used the macro setting on my camera with my 55mm lens.

Although what I captured is more like close-ups then macro, I’d like to share them with you all anyway. I also thought it might help us who are living in colder climates, feel a little warmer.

All photos were taken in my back yard. I hope you enjoy.

Purple Alyssum

Shasta Daisy

Hydrangea

Fuschia

Hosta Flower Bud

Bee on Bull Thistle

Globe Thistle

Begonia

Siberian Iris

Oriental Poppy

Spiderwort

Bull Thistle

Bee on Clover

Heliotrope

Daisy

Wings on Wednesday

2011-02-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

Brought to from Tuesday’s travels.

Sunday’s Junc

2011-02-13T18:02:00.001-07:00

When I went out to fill the feeders and suet cages, my yard hummed with the activity of Dark-eyed Juncos.

They were every where………

On the fence….

….in the gravel

On the look out…

…and in the planters

On the deck….

…in the grass

….and the garden

And this last little fella who appeared to favour his right foot…

Wings on Wednesday

2011-02-02T04:59:00.000-07:00

This One’s for the Ducks…Quack

2011-02-01T20:42:00.001-07:00

There was a glorious bright glow in the sky this morning so I decided to take full advantage of it.

I guess the birds did not get my memo as they all seemed to have found warmer places to be.

A few mallards braved the icy waters and I was more then happy to snap their pictures!

Wings on Wednesday

2011-01-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

I Hear you Knockin’

2011-01-20T13:57:00.001-07:00

Wings on Wednesday

2011-01-19T13:08:00.001-07:00

Hummmmm

2011-01-13T20:10:00.001-07:00

I love hot sunny weather in the summer and cold snowy days in the winter but here in the Fraser Valley, winter days are long, dark, gray and rainy. Blah!

What better thing to do when one is confined to the indoors for fear of rusting, is to sort through photos of a beautiful little birdie, the Rufous Hummingbird.

I got so many great shots this past spring and summer, a couple which I entered into a photo contest. They were not chosen but that’s ok as my photography is a hobby I do for myself.

Some of these photos I’ve posted and others I have not. It was hard to narrow down a few favourites so the following ones are those that made the cut. Here’s a little bright spot on this dark, gloomy day. I hope you enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-12T11:26:00.001-07:00

Cards by Vanessa

Wings on Wednesday

2011-01-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

Just Because

2011-01-01T22:57:00.001-07:00

I am not a writer, nor a photographer or an expert ornithologist. I am a person who likes to share her photos of the creatures she loves, birds.

I will travel miles for rare sightings and I will stay local for residents. I’ve had some of my best birding days in my own backyard.

My images may not all be crisp and clear, close up and focused but I snap to capture to record my sightings. I use this blog to share what I see and my stories for description.

January 01, 2011 just a few simple sightings.

The Coldest Day of the Year

2010-12-31T16:58:00.001-07:00

Ok, maybe it wasn’t the coldest day, but it was chilly!

Thanks to an achilles tendon injury, I have not been able to join Kim for a visit to Reifel in a good couple of months. The sanctuary has been quite active lately with Saw-whet, Great Horned and Barred owls along with a Northern Hawk Owl that has made a residential yard, his home. I wasn’t about to miss out so I got up early, bum foot and all,met Kim at her place and together we headed off to find owls!

Northern Hawk Owl

Saw-whet

There were no disappointments with either the Hawk Owl or the Saw-whet, we kept our eyes open for others and found these beauties sitting proudly above the treetops.

Juvenile American Bald Eagles

American Bald Eagle

A bit further down the path, Kim spotted this rather regal fella perched upon a bare branch. He was more then co-operative when it came to photo-ops.

Juvenile American Bald Eagle

Most of the ponds that are dotted through out the sanctuary had a thin covering of ice due the the below zero temperature. Some ducks were feeding on seed that had been thrown onto the ice well others treated us to a sneak peek of “Duckcapades”.

And of course, no trip to Reifel would be complete without saying hello to all the wonderful little regulars.

Yellow-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Black-capped Chickadee

Sandhill Cranes

Spotted Towhee

Fox Sparrow

We may have only seen the two owls, both lifers for me and I may be limping a little bit more today but our visit to the sanctuary was more than worth it. Any day spent with the birds and my dear friend Kim is worth it!!

This year is coming to a close and for me it’s been very birdieful! Here’s to 2011, may it be as plentiful as 2010!

Happy New Year everyone!

Saw what? Saw-Whet!

2010-12-30T16:56:00.001-07:00

My 2010 Highlight

2010-12-29T22:31:00.001-07:00

This year I have to say without a doubt, my highlight of the year was visiting the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary to observe the growth of the Sandhill Crane chick.

From momma sitting on her nest, to tender moments shared, these photos don’t even come close to the excitement I felt with each visit.

A bad day of birding is better then a day of not birding!

Wings on Wednesday

2010-12-29T16:15:00.001-07:00

From Me to You

2010-12-24T13:01:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas

Wings on Wednesday

2010-12-22T19:09:00.001-07:00

Friday Flubs

2010-12-17T23:47:00.001-07:00

Waking up to a bright sunny crisp morning, I decided I’d head over to Mill Lake to see what migrants have flown in this last week before Christmas. I snapped along merrily at the large groups of Common Mergansers, Cackling Geese and Ruddy Ducks only to discover my camera setting had been accidently changed thanks to my clumsy gloved fingers. Over exposure at it’s best unfortunately but I was able to keep a few decent shots taken before this discovery.

Here’s what I have to share.

Cackling Goose

Double Crested Cormorants and Gulls

American Coot

Common Merganser drake with lunch

Ruddy Duck

Buffleheads

American Bald Eagle

Wings on Wednesday

2010-12-15T11:32:00.001-07:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-12-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Wanting Wings on Wednesday

2010-11-30T20:34:00.001-07:00

Winter’s Friend

2010-11-27T20:24:00.001-07:00

Winter must be just around the corner since one of my favorite winter visitors has arrived. The Varied Thrush!

Wings on Wednesday

2010-11-03T12:22:00.001-06:00

Wednesday Walk

2010-10-28T16:19:00.001-06:00

A walk in the park on a sunny fall afternoon sure beats stuck in the house on a gloomy rainy day!

Wings on Wednesday

2010-10-27T12:55:00.001-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-10-20T20:53:00.001-06:00

Fair-weathered Friday

2010-10-15T23:25:00.001-06:00

Hard to believe we are half way through October when you are able to stroll around the lake in a short sleeve t-shirt. After spending most of the weekend snuggled under the covers sick with a cold, walk around the lake with a short sleeved t-shirt is exactly what I did.

Bright and sunny and a balmy 19c, I grabbed my camera and spent some nice leisurely time with the birds, oh and some really wonderful scenery. Here’s what I saw….

A beautiful fall day

A handsome Mallard drake

Pie-billed Grebe (life bird)

Lesser Scaup (female) diving for lunch

American Coot with lunch

A coot wondering who his friend is

A graceful American Widgeon (female)

Ruddy Duck

A gaggle of geese

Playful mallard

More views

And a whole bunch of sleepy birds

Wings on Wednesday

2010-10-06T09:47:00.000-06:00

A Birdieful Day!

2010-10-03T21:47:00.001-06:00

My last post was all about the shorebirds we saw on our best outing ever but we saw so much more. Here are just a few of the highlights of our day. Enjoy.

An American Crow surveys the shoreline

A Cooper’s Hawk sits upon the treetops with his eye focused on his prey.

A couple of Great Blue Herons preen themselves in the morning fog…

…as one watches the fish jump.

Canada Geese grace the water as the others go about their business.

A Northern Flicker perched himself on an old dead tree…

…as mallards rested on the roof of one of the covered observation deck.

The moon in the afternoon shone over us…

…and my favorite little friend came to say “Hello”.

A Spotted Towhee belted out his song.

Mr and Mrs Mallard soaking up the sun.

A Great Blue Heron stood regally in the bright light.

A lovely Northern Pintail.

Cooper’s Hawk looking for lunch.

A large family of Sandhill Cranes..

..and of course mommy and daddy Sandhill Crane and chick who’s not such a baby any longer.

Sandhill Cranes in flight.

A scenic view.

A little lady Wood Duck helps herself to some seed..

..while Red-winged Blackbirds fight over it.

Last but certainly not least, one of my favorites, American Coot.

Shorebirds Anyone

2010-10-03T16:44:00.001-06:00

Friday October 01, 2010 a day to note in my birding journal.

Kim and I headed out for a day of birding with hopes of lots to see. See we did. Our first stop, Blackie Spit and just as if they had not moved from the spot they were standing in last year, the Marbled Godwit and Long-billed Curlew were there waiting for us.

We kept an eye on their direction of travel and headed back up the trail to the cove to where they hand landed. We were not to be disappointed.

We found not one, not two but three Marbled Godwits with the lone Long-billed Curlew. What a thrill, however, being that the tide was out and the mudflats and I have a history, getting close enough for decent shots wasn’t possible. This is when I wish I had one of those enormous lenses on a monopod like real photographers have!

As we zoomed in on the quartet, a couple of small unknown shorebirds flew in. Turns out to be my first life bird of the day, Black-bellied Plovers.

Then another small shorebird flew in that could possibly be life bird #2. This one has become a mystery for us and a difficult one to ID since we were so far away. Some think it’s a Lesser Yellowlegs, some a Wilson’s Phalarope and others a Willet. Either of the latter two would be a lifer for me.

We’ve seen our share of Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs and this guys bill seemed just a wee bit different. Of course some Yellowlegs were wondering the shorelines as well.

Kim and I spent some time watching all these little feathered wonders fish and preen and nap before we headed back down the trail towards the car. On to our next stop, Reifel.

One of the first things we do when we got to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, is check the sightings book to see what we can look forward to hopefully spotting during our visit. One entry from a fellow stated that he had observed 4000 – 4500 Long-billed Dowitchers. Kim and I looked at each other and snickered saying wow what a typo!

There was no typo! There were hundreds of them scattered amongst a couple of the ponds. It was like looking at a swarm of bees on the water.

We sat and watched the activity amongst them all. Some eating, some preening and some sleeping. We also noticed that there was not a Yellowlegs of any kind in the bunch, they were all strictly Dowitchers. We did though see the odd Lesser Yellowlegs in different ponds busy eating and paying no mind to us watching them.

When I had left the house that morning, I wanted shorebirds and lots of them. That’s just what I got. It wasn’t just the shorebirds though, the skies were active with many different birds of prey, the trees hummed with song birds. We had Steller Jays and Northern Flickers, mallards, pintails and even American Widgeons. We counted nineteen Sandhill Cranes, dozens of Great Blue Herons and so much more.

Hands down, without question, Friday October 01, 2010 was the most active and most active bird adventure we’ve experienced yet!

Wings on Wednesday

2010-09-29T13:33:00.001-06:00

The Canadian Rockies

2010-09-22T21:01:00.001-06:00

Not having posted much of a blog lately other then a weekly Wings on Wednesday, I thought I had better write something so you all know I’m still around.

My husband and I just got back from an eight day visit with his youngest brother and family in St. Albert, Alberta. This meant another trip through the Rocky Mountains, a site I marvel at no matter how many times I have seen them.

I thought I would share a few of the photos I took of these giant beauties, beauties that had a fresh frosting of new snow all over them on our trip back.

The photos are not the best nor the crispest, as they were all taken through the bug splattered windshield of our truck. There is never any stopping for photo-ops when my husband is behind the wheel, unless you have a dire situation. He’s always just passed all the slow-pokes and he doesn’t want to have to pass them again, so I focus the lens and hope for the best.

I hope you enjoy.

Wings on Wednesday

2010-09-22T19:14:00.001-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-09-07T22:15:00.001-06:00

Wingless Wednesday

2010-09-01T01:23:00.001-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-08-25T10:49:00.001-06:00

Fall is in The Air

2010-08-21T22:00:00.001-06:00

After having family visit us from out of town for the past week, I was itching to get out with Kim to do a little birding.

We made our usual first stop at Elgin Park where I observed my first ‘life bird’ of the day, a Yellow Warbler. A tough one to photograph but I managed to snap a few.

I then spotted a Common Yellow Throat playing peek-a-boo through the leaves..

A shaggy looking Rufous Hummingbird perched for a bit on a shaded branch..

Kim and I then made our way through a very overgrown path to one of a few ponds to observe some Lesser Yellow Legs, up close and personal. We were amazed to see them come so close to the shore we were standing on.

After a good little while of time at Elgin, Kim and I headed off to Reifel Bird Sanctuary to see what was in store for us on this day. Reifel did not disappoint. I was fortunate enough to observe life bird number two and three of the day.

As I got out of the car, one of my favorite little white mallard came waddling up to greet me.

And of course, many of the usual suspects were there to say hello as well….

…and some too tired to care.

We were happy to see many Long-billed Dowitchers, and Lesser Yellowlegs

Moving along to the next pond, as we spied through our binoculars to the opposite side, we spotted something different. Life bird number two for me, a Pectoral Sandpiper.

Kim and I were also very happy to see the return of a familiar favorite, the American Coot

Then again we spotted something different. Life birds for both of us, making number three for myself, a pair of Cackling Geese, a rare find for these areas.

I must say that I quite like the Cackling Goose, it’s much smaller and cuter then the Canada Gooses and a whole lot less aggressive.

Our bird full day was coming to an end as we slowly made our way to the car. We were thrilled with what we had seen and capture in our view finders and most definitly did not leave disappointed. With the return of some of our favorites, we knew that fall was certainly in the air!

Bye-bye…see you again soon!!!!

Wings on Wednesday

2010-08-18T19:54:00.001-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-08-10T21:49:00.001-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-08-03T23:58:00.001-06:00

Gone Squirrelly

2010-08-03T14:40:00.001-06:00

As much of a nuisance I find the squirrels to be at my bird feeders, I can’t help but be entertained by their never ending antics.

Here are a few of the daily visitors I see.

Looking Out My Backdoor

2010-08-01T18:42:00.001-06:00

I feel quite lucky by the fact that I live in such a rural setting. I am visited by birds of all shapes and sizes and I have space to enjoy my other love, gardening.

I would like to share my photo album of some of the beautiful things I see just looking out my backdoor!

Hydrangea

Shasta Daisy

Squirrel

Oriental Poppy

Globe Thistle

Northern Flicker (female)

Northern Flicker (male)

Buzzin’ bee

Pine Siskin

Begonia

Black-capped Chickadee

Steller’s Jay

Pileated Woodpecker

Hosta flower bud

American Goldfinch

Hairy Woodpecker

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Siberian Iris

Verbena

Western Swallowtail Butterfly

Another Day in Paradise

2010-07-31T23:18:00.000-06:00

Kim and I love to bird together and our most favorite spot is the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary situated on Westham Island in Ladner, B.C.

Although things have been pretty quiet with most birds having migrated north for the summer, we still manage to find things of interest to observe and photograph. Here are some of the highlights of our visit yesterday, July 30, 2010.

Yummy blackberries

A quiet trail

Wood Duck (female)

Hungry ducklings

Black capped Chickadees, one of our favorites

A berry eatin' squirrel

Some lovely scenery

Which way did he go!?

Some Long-billed Dowitchers

Lesser Yellow Legs

One of the many ponds

Somebirdies getting big. Momma Sandhill Crane and her chick

Killdeer

Cedar Waxwing

Juvenile Cedar Waxwing

Cowbirds (female)

Bull Thistle

And one tired duck

Wings on Wednesday

2010-07-28T11:08:00.000-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-07-21T15:18:00.000-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-07-14T10:45:00.000-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-07-07T16:24:00.001-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-06-30T07:30:00.001-06:00

Wings on Wednesday

2010-06-22T22:21:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-15T23:18:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-09T08:52:00.001-06:00

An Anniversary Weekend

2010-06-03T15:50:00.000-06:00

One of my most favorite spots to be, is camping in Monck Park which is situated on the western shore of Nicola Lake just north of Merritt, British Columbia. We go at least twice a year and always at the end of May. On May 29, 1981 my husband and I said 'I do' and our life together began and of course our honeymoon was spent camping in Monck Park!

I have put together a few photos to share with you, all the beautiful sights and surroundings we love so much.

We had our share of hummingbirds visit us.....

......in the wind

....and even in the rain!

They just kept coming!!

Then the sky came alive with a bright yellow tinge.....they were every where.....Western Tanagers!!

We then enjoyed the antics of a crow......

......a Clark's Nutcracker.......

......and my all time favorite, the chipmunk!!

A walk to the beach was a must a few times a day as there was much to see, like Common Loons...........

.....a female Hooded Merganser......

...and her chick

Some Spotted Sandpipers too

Some lovely scenery........

........and some pondering of life.

Ospery sat in tree tops hunting their prey....

.......before swooping down......

...to catch lunch.

As we headed back to our cozy little spot......

...I stopped to admire some pretty wildflowers....

...listen to a Yellow-rumped Warbler sing....

...and a Wilson's Warbler peek through the leaves.

The beauty does not end on the trail, it surrounds us and it's why we love to be there.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-02T12:40:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-26T10:52:00.001-06:00

Blue Herons Anyone!?

2010-05-19T22:06:00.000-06:00

Nestled against the mountains along the Vedder River in Chilliwack British Columbia, is the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve. It's about a twenty minute drive from my home and being a lovely, fresh spring day, my husband and I decided to pay a visit and check it out.

Once we arrived and had parked our vehicle, we entered the gift shop / information building and I was awe-struck by the many beautiful displays of wildlife and birds and the amount of information available. The lady at the counter was most helpful and extremely knowledable about the the reserve. She brought us into a room with computers and a large screen TV which were all tuned to various 'nest cams' amongst the 'Great Blue Heron Colony Loop'. We discovered only two negatives we would face this day, most of the heron loop was closed due to nesting season, therefore getting close was impossible and the leaves on the trees made it difficult to get a real true sighting of the over 150 nests! Oh and the over 300 Great Blue Herons that call this home.

If you look closely, you can see two herons in flight and then approximately a dozen on the ground.

There were about eight nests in this one tree.

Of course like any other wildlife reserve, many different species live there as well. Here at this location, two resident bald eagles keep other balds away, not to protect the heron's safety, but more in greed to keep any carnage strictly to themselves We were able to observe both these magnificent American Bald Eagles.

This fella was busy chowing down on his lunch and was not aware he had an audience.

We also watched several hawks circle above most likely hunting the wild rabbits that roam the reserve or perhaps other small rodents hiding in the near by framers fields.

There were also plenty of pretty things to admire as we strolled through the trails, wildflowers, several different birds and calming scenic spots.

Salmon berries

Wild lupins

Wild thistle

Red-winged Black Bird (male)

Canada Geese

Northern Flicker (female)

One of the lagoons

A small stream

Oh, I must not forget the bees!!! My husband spotted them, screamed like a little girl and ran off....hehehe...I'm joking...he did point them out making sure we strolled casually by but not before I snapped a couple of photos!

Honey!?

I must say I am very happy we went to explore this wonderful place and I know I will most definitly be returning. There is so much more to see and I was going to tell all you but decided to keep it a secret until my next visit!!

For more information on the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve, click here http://www.chilliwackblueheron.com/index.html

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-18T23:30:00.000-06:00

Spring Preening

2010-05-13T10:41:00.000-06:00

One of my most favorite things in life, it getting out to enjoy the many species of feather friends we have around us here in Vancouver, British Columbia. Kim and I have our usual spots and every once in a while, we are lucky enough to spot something different and unusual, but not always.

Things have been quite quiet at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on our last couple of visits as the regular residents have been busy building nests preparing for their new babies. On our most recent visit, we were awed by many goslings and ducklings but I was also able to observe a Great Blue Heron as he stood on a log in the birght sunlight and preen his beautiful feathers....

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-11T21:00:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-05T12:33:00.000-06:00

Chickadee-dee-dee

2010-05-04T14:24:00.000-06:00

For those of you who have been following myself and Kim, you know how much we love to feed the Black-capped Chickadees from our hands. On our last birding adventure, one little fella in particular, took a peanut from Kim's hand and flew to the nearest branch to devour it. I took the opportunity to photograph him as he he pecked away so I could share the enjoyment with all of you.

2010-04-27T23:47:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-21T11:05:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-14T13:00:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-31T12:22:00.000-06:00

Let the Sun Shine!

2010-03-27T23:16:00.000-06:00

Got up early as I always do to go birding with Kim and headed out in the pouring rain with hopes of finding the clear blue sky. The drive to Kim's is about fourty-five minutes and in that time, the sky broke and the sun shone through. I'm never letting go of that lucky penny!

We headed out to our usual spots knowing we are always guaranteed our favorite birds and today was no exception. I won't bore any of you with the boring details of our usual route, instead I would like to share some of my favorite shots of the day. Hope you enjoy.

American Bald Eagle

Canada Goose

Song Sparrow

Great Blue Heron

Female Northern Pintail

Male Northern Shoveler

Golden-crowned Sparrow

Yellow Warbler

Tree Swallows

Male Mallard

Female Mallard

Green-winged Teal

Tree Swallow

Female Wood Duck

Male Wood Duck

Cooper's Hawk

Rufous Hummingbird

American Robin

House Finch

Spotted Towhee

Song Sparrow

American Goldfinch

Purple Finch

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Black Squirrel

Douglas Squirrel

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-23T22:49:00.000-06:00

The Birdhouse

2010-03-19T17:06:00.000-06:00

My love of birds begins in my very own backyard. Living in a very wooded area, we get a real variety of birds coming to visit our feeders. This past fall, we had to have a very old Maple tree removed from our backyard as it was dying from the inside out and had become a danger to not only our home but our neighbour's. I was worried where I was going to put my feeders and my husband told me not to worry that he would construct a feeding station for me to watch all my feathered friends enjoy.

Over the winter we dicussed plans and how and where this bird station should be placed in the yard. We also decided that the birds should have a safe place to nest so we sought out plans for birdhouses. Knowing my husband, when he builds something, he builds to the extreme, so I knew I was not going to end up with any ordinary house.

Well, today was the day to put our ideas and plans into the yard. Birdhouse has been built, post planted firmly into the ground and brackets for feeders to be hung from waited with their screw all ready to go.

Here the wood had been cut and set in place to see how it's going to look.

There are two floors on this birdie condo. Each floor has eight nesting cubbies with the center being for ventilation. The hole at the peak has been screened off as it is for the airflow.

This is the bottom floor of two.

This is the second floor and as you can see the center cubby is open for the much needed ventilation. Everybirdie needs fresh air!

The bottom of the roof with another vent hole.

We need a post to erect the house on and this is the fine piece of lumber we have chosen. Just a little post!

hehe

And the post has been planted..into two feet of cement. This house isn't going anywhere!!!

Wow, isn't she pretty. Ready to go out to be lived in!!!

First section is up and being leveled and ready to attach.

There's the second section.

Like a cherry on a sundae, the finishing touch is attached.

I like it a lot!!

Some brackets added for feeders....

...and The Backyard Inn is ready for business.

Every Birdie Welcome!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-16T18:46:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-10T00:11:00.000-07:00