End of August

A lovely surprise in the marsh, a juvenile Night Heron

appeared briefly and vanished into the reeds.

In the evening, Josie ran to the window to stalk something.

I thought it was probably an insect the way she cautiously

crept up upon it. From my vantage point I couldn't see what it was

so I quietly went over to investigate.

Sitting on the outside of the window sill was a tiny frog.

It eventually climbed all over the outside of the window

and it was amazing to see how it stuck with suction as it 

traveled and we got a view of the underside.

 

 

 

Autumn Feathered Friends

The bees are busy in the garden gathering pollen

from the tansy...

I was so happy to see the hummingbird was still

here, I know that soon she will be flying south

and I will miss her.

Am delighted to see the juvenile night heron is

also still here...

Another favorite that feels so magical to me
is watching the egrets fly just before sunset
to the island where
all the shore birds spend the night.

We still have some warmish days

before the cold weather settles in and these

feathered friends will fly to warmer climates til next year.

My photos, drawings and memories will carry me
through til they return next spring.

Herons and Hummingbird Moth

The other evening we spotted such a beautiful site,

a Black-crowned  Night Heron and her two young ones.

Fell in love with them!

 

Last night I happened to be walking by when I

noticed these two on a rock.

In the garden yesterday, at first glance I thought

I saw a hummingbird but it turned out to be

a hummingbird moth!

 

Surprises

What a delightful surprise to spot the hummingbird

who blended in so well with the leaves in the tall

wild cherry tree.

Another surprise, glancing out the window at the

moment this catbird stopped to rest!

Loved noticing the shadow of the butterfly on the 

dandelion...

About to step into the porch when this chipmunk caught

my eye...one never knows where they will appear!

 

On our evening walk last night we heard strange

calls coming from the birds in the ocean...

an unusual laughing sound not like the usual

call of the seagull.

They were Laughing Gulls so appropriately named.

It sure did sound like laughter!

Towards the end of our walk

an Black-crowned Night Heron flew 

overhead  away from the

ocean.

So magical every time we see them.

To our great surprise, D noticed it 

had landed in a little inlet on our

way home.

To be able to observe nature is

so very uplifting and inspiring.

The Lovely Shore Birds of the Past Week

Here are some of the delightful birds we met near
the shore by chance this past week.

Love the cormorants drying their wings!

A treat to see the Black Crowned Night Heron
sitting on a rock in the ocean...

Been enjoying following the devoted
Canada Geese couple and their offspring...

The Night Heron

Yesterday afternoon we spotted the Night Heron
just before it decided to fly to another spot...

Can you see it as it flies past the trees?
(It's the small white shape in the center)

Here is a better look.


Such a magical bird...

Spotting New Birds

This morning I heard a bird call that I thought
might be the kingfisher down by the brook.

I stood very still and watched and listened for
the sound...
eventually I spotted a bird shape on top of a dead tree,
it wasn't the kingfisher
but a
flicker!

Fog moved in along the coast and
as we rode by I thought I saw the shape
of a heron sitting out on a rock...
we turned around to see
the Black-crowned Night Heron.

Happy they are back!