Saturday, January 4, 2014

Trumpeting in 2014

Sunshine was forecast for a couple of days, so I headed out to check the Trumpeter Swans today.  It wasn't as sunny as I expected, so it was early afternoon before I left home.

(Photos will enlarge with a click)

I parked the car at the side of the road when I spotted three eagles on a stony bar at the edge of the beach.  One flew off and grabbed something in his talons before heading to a nearby tree.   I have no idea what it caught...



A fish tail?

Off to see the Trumpeter Swans ~ I stayed there until my finger ends went numb and the sun was beginning to set! 

Holly, the ivy covered duck, looking like she's a bit worse for wear after a frosty start to the year.
Sunshine highlighting snow on the mountains!

A juvenile Bald Eagle, I think, due to the white feathers showing under the darker ones.

A Bald Eagle surveying the river.

Nearing home ~


Trumpeting in the New Year -



20 comments:

  1. These are gorgeous images such soft light on everything.

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  2. Wonderful photos, I especially like the first of the swan ones. Flighty xx

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    1. Glad you enjoyed, Flighty ~ there were a lot of swans, also gulls, ducks and all sorts of birds.

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  3. The Sunlit clouds and snow over the mountains looks beautiful. Looks as though you have escaped the heavy snow I notice has been reported for some areas of Canada and the US.

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    1. Thanks, John ~ I was quite pleased with that shot. Here on the west coast, we are fortunate to live in a milder climate than most of Canada. When we do have snow and cold weather, it doesn't seem to last for too long. Back east, they are really getting the cold!

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  4. What stunning photos. I've been at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust today in SW England, watching Bewick's swans. Swans are such beautiful birds. And lucky you seeing those eagles - wonderful. You live in a truly lovely place.

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    1. Thanks CJ ~ I've just looked up the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and enjoyed looking at the links, example 'Today's sightings'. What an interesting place that must be! Yes, Vancouver Island has some lovely scenery and wildlife, and thankfully, much warmer than the rest of Canada!

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  5. Lovely lovely pictures - especially the darkening sky with the clouds rolling in - you obviously had to be in the right place at the right time to capture it.

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    1. Thanks Elaine ~ the sky and water looked quite magical with the pastel shades turning darker...although it was a bit chilly on the fingertips. I wear fingerless gloves (with a fold back part that can cover finger ends) so I can take photos. Glad you enjoyed the photos.

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  6. Oh wow....bald eagles!!!!! I would love to be able to go out and see one, it must be an amazing feeling! It looks like a bird's wing in it's talons...
    Oh the swans and the mountains are to die for sighs I....xxx

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    1. Hi Snowbird ~ your enthusiasm always makes me smile :) It was a great day for eagles and swans ~ and the sun shining on the mountains was pretty spectacular ~ glad you enjoyed the photos. It is indeed a weird shaped thing in the eagles talons...interesting idea about a birds wing.

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  7. Wonderful pics, Glo. That Baldy's catch almost looks like a bird's wing.. but you're probably right about the tail. So odd.

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    1. Thanks, Hilary - Thinking back, I could have walked to the stony part the eagles were standing on to see if there were any remnants of whatever it was they were eating! I may look next time I go by and see if there are dead fish or whatever! It certainly did look odd!

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  8. Wonderful to see these feathered friends in the new year. I love that shot you got of the one skipping over the water. Brilliant!

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    1. Thanks Nikki ~ There are so many birds in that location, and I take many photos, so it's fun to look through them to see what looks good...I liked that shot too :)

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  9. I love love love the swans and ducks in the same photo - and the video. Wonderful post.

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