Dale's Wildlife Photos

The lake and large wetland connect to Gary oak meadows.

Ducks.

I cheated and took some pictures at a feeder.

Suet feeder, natural feeder, and a nest.

More birds.

The last one is a female Anna's hummingbird.

Hummingbird and a grebe. (Not together)

It was near dark when I got to the feeder. I had to go with a slow shutter speed to maintain brightness and this led to dull colour and blurriness.

The bird departed so fast that only this ghost image remained.

A wetland resident.

A gull, followed golden crowned sparrow.

Same sparrow.

That's why it's called duckweed.

Trails show where they've been.

The last one is an unidentified bird. It was a long way off and I magnified it.

Dale, you came through again with great pictures!

Rion Mather wrote:The last one. Is that where you live?

Sorry for not answering this earlier, Rion. (Didn't see it) --- Yes, all of these pictures were taken within 20 miles of Victoria B.C. My land is 65 miles away near Nanaimo but I haven't pursued wildlife there yet. I have a 1.2 km (.7 mile) road which overlooks a river valley. Most of this road is being used as a public hiking area and I will eventually build some viewing blinds and a nature house where visitors can view specimens and photos and view the valley through a telescope.

This is a popular flyway. I've seen groups of hummingbirds, eagles, ravens and other birds as well as elk, mink, alligator lizards and many others. I'll soon submit plans for some of the park amenities.

You are lucky to have access to such a variety of wildlife.

These crows are bathing. There is no warer fountain squirting them. All of the spray is caused by a crow who is flapping vigourously.

Mom look, mom look !!! The first crow is landing by the bathing site.

These ducks (American Wigeon) work togerher while foraging. If one stirs up a critter that gets away, another grabs it.

They can be seen working the shallows all over coastal B.C. They also go further to sea when herring and other fish spawn.

They spend lots of time around kelp beds. In areas where the water is deep enough for kelp to grow near shore many ducks can be seen.

They aren't chronic moochers but will sometimes gather free food at ocean side parks.

They stay safely clear of the aggressive mallards and peacocks.

Excuse the lack of new content. My computer was stolen --- AGAIN. This time it was a virus. It contains hundreds of photos including owls, otters and some sea life. I'll post once things are resolved. I've gotten pretty good at stalking humming birds. No point chasing them. You have to anticipate where they'll be and have focus and shutter speed sorted out in advance. They don't wait around while you fiddle with the settings. Any idiot can catch them at a feeder. I prefer wetlands and gardens with lots of natural food.

Dale! I used to spend my lunches enjoying your wildlife photos! Glad you are back!

This bird looks similar to flickers but is only about the size of a pigeon. It uprooted several feet of the weeds that grow between sidewalk sections. The beak was inserted quickly and often.


This borrowed Apple computer won't spit out the photos and it won't show me the photos while on the website. I'll try another time.

These are from the cell phone. Not the sort of quality I'd like my name attached to, but I was on a bike when opportunity knocked.

I finally got a computer that works but am unable to crop or edit. Raw footage here. Just testing to see if this machine will cooperate.

Barnacles are very cooperative when being photographed. Hummingbirds are more flighty.

The underwater shot was taken from the surface.

Crows like to stay clean. They close their eyes when splashing about.

This seal checked me out to see if I had fish scraps.

awww! did you give him a fish? .

The deer began feeding the moment I finished pruning the laurel. Later on, I pruned a plum and they switched to that. The fawns have learned from their mother that a guy on a ladder is no threat. There have been times when I'm up a tree and I see deer in the distance who migrate toward the new food source even while the chainsaw is running. I used a reciprocating saw and loppers here. They seem irritated by the saw, but they don't flee.

When I prune fruit trees, I always tell the customers to leave the waste for a while. Roses and other stuff that deer destroy, are given a reprieve whenever apple, plum or pear are available.

fiona smith wrote:awww! did you give him a fish? .

Fiona, you might like this . It matches your signature.

Most eagle sightings are at some distance, while they search for food.

I have never had a mink hold still for a vanity shot.

This heron flew to within 100 feet of me. He landed across the river. I'm at full zoom.

There was a salmon run a short time ago. They die after laying eggs and spawning. Birds,fish, otters and bears feed on the carcasses.

Here's a circle of life shot. Notice the little fish feeding on the dead salmon.

Doe, a deer, a female deer.

She's having a bad hair month. The winter coat is being shed. By May, a shiny new summer coat will look quite sleek.

Birds use the hair as nesting material.

I removed some Douglas fir stumps that were somewhat rotted. Rather than dig them out or cut them which would have been time consuming,  I heaved large rocks overhead to smash them.

 Baby birds could be heard screeching for more food,  as their parents were doing really well finding grubs in the smashed stumps. It was a real bonanza,  for nesting birds.

There were otters eating along this well-traveled path. They skittered into the darkness as soon as they saw me coming. The little stream is only about 100 yards from the ocean at this point. They catch fish in the ocean, then swim up the stream and climb a steep bank onto the grass.

 This very secluded spot is bright and sunny. A  perfect spot for a cold otter to warm up in the sun. The smell is quite strong.  Rotten fish mixed with otter poop.
......
The deer lives in the city. He started feeding on apple leaves before I finished cutting. The cordless chainsaw isn't very loud. He often came to within 20 ft. of me.

Amazing photos I love the seal (I live a long way from the sea, so its not something I'd ever see round here!)

This raccoon was resting comfortably at a job I checked out yesterday. It didn't seem afraid, but it moved away and settled in thick brush for the day.