Archive by Author | smccann27

Weekend Expedition 42: White Christmas in Vancouver?

Dec23
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A female harrier scarfs down her Christmas sparrow.

Vancouver is generally known for its green wintertime conditions, but sometimes we do get a bit of snow. We had a 10-15 cm dump on Friday morning, which made getting around a bit difficult. I was running errands on the weekend, but brought my camera out anyway, and managed a decent haul of bird pictures out in Delta.

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A harrier on the hunt.

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The birds were not the only ones hunting at Boundary Bay, as about 20 people were out on the mud blasting away at ducks with shotguns, It is more than a little ironic that the place is full of signs telling folks not to disturb wildlife, but shooting at them is A-OK.

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Heron on the prowl for voles.

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A nice little Red-tailed Hawk/

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The eagle disapproves, as usual.

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I was a bit shocked to see a live caterpillar moving along the snow, but I figure it may have been dislodged by a foraging bird.

Weekend Expedition 41: Reifel Sanctuary with Wild Research

Dec16

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I realize that the Weekend Expedition is getting a bit repetitive, and I resolve in the New Year to shake things up a bit. In fact, I make you a promise. Starting in January, things will be different around here!

I did get away again this weekend, and it was back to Reifel Bird Sanctuary, again with Wild Research.This time, it was not as productive WRT raptors as previous visits, but we did see a Peregrine, some eagles, a Cooper’s Hawk, and a Rough-legged Hawk. The main attraction of Reifel is the ridiculously human-acclimated birds. Cranes feeding from your hand, chickadees landing everywhere…It is like a meetup group for bird flu lovers!

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The cold winter air has moved on, and the canals and ponds are melting. The atmosphere was very much like standing in front of a cool mist humidifier.

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Mike Hrabar captured this shot of some artistic use of the GoPro to record feeding pigeons.

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Mike shooting with his new 300!

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The reflection from the ice really makes these ducks pop.

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Paul Levesque channeling Steve Zissou.

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incoming cranes!

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I just love the calls of these elegant birds.

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After Reifel, Mike and I headed down to 64th St. (On Boundary Bay) to check out some Long-eared Owls. This one was the only one there, and not very active. Pretty though!

A group of Golden Eagles hunting elk?

Dec13

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I am always a fan of raptors, and have a special place in my heart for social and predation behaviour. Here is a story that combines all three! In the latest issue of Journal of Raptor Research, a remarkable observation of a large group of Golden Eagles harassing elk on a steep ridge is reported (but paywalled).

Matt O’Connell and Michael Kochert witnessed and filmed the astonishing sight of at least 8 eagles repeatedly stooping at a group of elk, either trying to drive them off a cliff, or perhaps just playing around.

Golden Eagles are known to prey on ungulates, sometimes by driving them off cliffs, but the authors are cautious at definitively stating the motivation of these birds. I would suggest that the hypothesis of play and that of predation are not mutually exclusive. I could certainly see a great selective advantage for these carnivorous birds to engage in “play” that sometimes results in the grisly death of a large ungulate.

If you would like to see the video, here it is below. What do you think?

 

References

Bergo, G. 1987. Eagles as predators on livestock and deer. Fauna Norvegica Series C, Cinclus10:95–102.

Deblinger, R.D. and A.W. Alldredge. 1996. Golden Eagle predation on pronghorns in Wyoming’s Great Divide Basin. Journal of Raptor Research 30:157–159.

Erwins, P.J. 1987. Golden Eagles attacking deer and sheep. Scottish Birds 14:209–210.

Zettergreen, B. 2006. Golden Eagle attacks and kills yearling mountain goat. Wildlife Afield3:27–28.

 

Weekend Expedition 40: special edition! Seals underwater!

Dec9

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I thought it prudent to get a small video camera to document upcoming fieldwork, so that I can provide PR materials for granting agencies. For this purpose, I got a GoPro, a small “action cam” which has a watertight housing and super wide lens. To put it through its paces, Jeff, my brother and I took it down to Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria for a close up look at the Harbour Seals. The following is the result.

Not bad eh? Given decent lighting, it does fine video. The still images from it in poor lighting are pretty noisy though, and it probably be best not to rely on it for still shots in the evening:

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Nonetheless, it does have a certain gloomy charm.

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With the SLR from the surface though, the seal image quality is much better.

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The gulls were also looking fine against the reflection of the sky.

 

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So the verdict. Seals and GoPros: a good combo!

 

Epitaph for my friend Maggie

Dec2

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Today, very suddenly, I lost one of my best friends. Maggie had an accident while running around one of her favourite places, Mystic Vale in Victoria, falling suddenly from a height and dying nearly instantly.

Maggie was my mother’s dog, a golden retriever who I met for the first time in 2004. We quickly formed a strong bond, although I lived far away in Florida. Every time I would come home she would greet me with excitement, knowing that soon we would go adventuring together. Maggie loved the outdoors, and luckily enough, she lived in a great place where she could go running freely on outings with my mother once or twice a day.

We had some great fun exploring the wild lands around Victoria, swimming at the beach, or just curling up by the fire together after a long day. She was a great companion and a true friend.

I am completely devastated by her sudden passing, but there is consolation in knowing she died out there running around the forest, doing what she loved. Good bye my dear friend, I will miss you.

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Mags out with my mom.

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A young pup in 2004.

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Atop Mt. Tolmie.

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Maggie 2004-2013

A Black Fly Day appeal

Nov29
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When I get bit by a black fly in the Vancouver area, I don’t swat, but rather shoot, as it is such a rare event!

Apparently it is Black Fly Day, not only in the US, but everywhere!

On this Black Fly Day, let us take a moment to think about those that are less blessed with Simuliidae, namely, us here in the Lower Wasteland of BC. We are in dire need of black fly specimens (among other things) in our teaching collections, so next season, if you go on a black fly murder rampage (and I know some of you will), consider preparing some of those flies to be sent out west to bolster our flagging back fly numbers. We had a total of three this fall for teaching Entomology, and I think the poor things didnt survive!

If you do get a chance to point a bunch, or if you have some extras lying around, please let me know and I will pass on the information to our new collections manager (when we get one).

Happy Black Fly Day!

It is lucky that Catherine is blogging now…

Nov29

Otherwise I would have nothing to share with you! I am working on some real fine content myself, but it is taking longer than expected. So go over to SpiderBytes and check out a story on spider “bondage”:

Catherine Scott explores the usage of silk  “bridal veils” during spider sex 

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Ancylometes bogotensis (Ctenidae). This is one species featured, with Catherine’s hand for a size reference.

Weekend Expedition 39: Winter begins at Burnaby Lake Park

Nov25
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Breeding season is long over, but the eagles still hang out at their nest on the south shore.

I have been super busy this weekend, up at the lab doing work. The semester is coming to an end and I still have so much to do! This weekend expedition was just a couple hour jaunt to Burnaby Lake before heading up to the lab. I hope you enjoy the shots!

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We are down to the winter bird fauna now, and Song Sparrows are hanging tough.
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This female Wood Duck adds a splash of colour to the wintry scene.

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The remains of spawned-out salmon were pretty common out at the mouth of the creek.

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Goose bath!

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A scaup was diving down and scavenging on dead fish, as were the mallards.

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Another Song Sparrow, who was feeding on seeds near the lake.