Duck

This duck my hubby and I spotted by the edge of a pond. Underneath it were a couple of little chicks.  It was amazing to watch.  Any Suggestions as to what the duck is. 

Ducks

Today hubby and I were down by the Big Qualicum River and spotted these Harlequin Ducks. These ducks can be found  by  fast-moving water, the Harlequin Duck breeds on fast-flowing streams and winters along rocky coastlines in the crashing surf, which exactly where Big Qualicum River is located.   The female are the shabby brown and of course the male is the colourful duck.  They are very nice to look at.

Trumpeter Swan

Hubby and I were down the river the other day and spotted these two swans with Canada geese.  What I haven't been able to distinguish is I know the black bill, long neck and white body is the trumpeter, but in the description of these swans there is nothing saying that male and female have different coloured bills and yet these two have.  I was also told that they mate for life.  Any suggestions, are they both the same bird with different bills...  After looking further it would appear that the swan with the orange bill is a Mute Swan.

November birds

Today after putting out the feed in the feeder and ground my yard was inundated with birds. The two on the branch are Rusty Blackbirds.  They have such a wonderful call.  Along with the blackbirds were Stellar Jays, European Starlings, Towhees, California Quail....yes it was a plethora of birds, such a wonderful sight to behold and to hear.

My husband and I were in Victoria watching my daughters field hockey game when this bird caught our attention. It appears they are Osprey nesting on the field lamps. It was fascinating watching them go back and forth to feed their young, totally oblivious to the humans below.

I think this is a Cedar Waxwing
Apparently they eat insects but are very fond of fruit and berries and have been known to expire from alcohol poisoning due to fermented fruits. They are a year-round resident on Vancouver Island.

Ducks....

The other day I was out walking and came across these birds. It would appear they are Buffleheads, males and female. The males are the one's with more white, the females have a white patch on the side of their head. This photo was taken Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island.

Partridge or Grouse?

Today hubby and I were making our way into town, when we noticed a vehicle pulled over to the side of the road and a bird was in the middle of the road. We slowed down and then pulled over.

The woman looked like she was trying to capture the bird, we weren't sure if it was hers or if there was a problem with the bird. So hubby went to see if he could help. I on the other hand decided to get out the camera.

Here she almost caught it with her jacket...but this bird was quick. We have a Wildlife Bird Sanctuary not far from us and had it been hurt that was were she was thinking of taking it. Well I don't' think this bird was hut....just lost.Here it made it's way back to the middle of the road.....hubby and the lady tried to guide it.....

There's hubby guiding it off the road.....then guess what....

This bird decided to fly right up onto the back of my truck!!!

After doing some research I am still perplexed. I think this might be a Blue Grouse, which is considered abundant in these areas but generally are found in mid to high mountain terrain. Any suggestions?

A mountain bird

Whiskey Jack

At the beginning of February a couple of my girlfriends and I went snowshoeing. It was a glorious sunny day. We had stopped just to take in the sights when these little guys started flying overhead. We had some seed snack so my friend put some in her hand and viola. These birds are Whiskey Jacks. They were really friendly birds...something tells me that we weren't the only ones who fed them.