Birds & Wildlife
“I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.” ~Henry David Thoreau
One of the greatest experiences a person can have is to make a connection with wildlife. When this fawn looked directly at me, we were connected. When she calmly went back to munching her leaves, it was a vote of confidence – a message that she was OK with me if I was OK with her. I take that as a gift, and as a privilege.
Wildlife is welcome in my garden, and in my world. We share this place, even if it can be a pain in the butt at times. They were here before I came, and they’ll be here when I leave – in the meantime, we’ll walk these paths together.
Gallery…
Northern Fur Seal. This guy, 'Bogie', was part of a captive breeding research program at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, BC. Released back into the wild in 1982.
Mallards on ice at Long Lake, Nanaimo
Golden-mantled squirrel, Revelstoke National Park
Northern Gannet, Bonaventure Island
Northern Gannets, Bonaventure Island
Northern Gannets, Bonaventure Island
Northern Gannets, Bonaventure Island
"White Lion" brought into the Toronto Zoo as a special celebrity.
Cormorant, Sooke Basin
Northern Elephant Seals on a beach in California.
Raccoon, Clayoquot Island
Raccoon, Clayoquot Island
Purple Sea Stars, South Winchelsea Island
Purple Sea Stars, South Winchelsea Island
Sea Anemones (closed up, high and dry), South Winchelsea Island
Purple Sea Stars, South Winchelsea Island
Purple Sea Stars, South Winchelsea Island
Common Crow, Yellowstone
Llama, Sooke
Rufous-sided Towhee on my front porch. One of my favourite birds.
Varied Thrush, on my front porch
Painted Lady Butterfly, in my front yard
Green Comma Butterfly alights on my hand while I was sitting on my porch. What a privilege.
Spawning Chum Salmon, Goldstream
Harlequin Ducks, Whiffen Spit
Black Oystercatcher, Whiffen Spit
River Otter plays on the beach, Whiffen Spit
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Vancouver Island Black-tailed Deer fawn, in my yard.
Barrow's Goldeneye, Mill Bay
Barrow's Goldeneye, Mill Bay
Common Merganser fishing, Mill Bay
American Wigeon, Esquimalt Lagoon
Mallard, Esquimalt Lagoon
Great Blue Heron, fishing, Whiffen Spit