Vancouver Island - Part 3

10 September, 2023 

Clover Point, Victoria, BC

     If you're visiting Victoria there is no better way to start the day than to drop by Clover Point to see what's going on.

     The gulls were relaxing, getting their day off to an easy start.

     A solitary kayaker was making good progress as he scudded across the water.

     A Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) was in search of breakfast.

     A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) seemed to be teasing us, popping its head up now and then, but never affording a better view than what you see below.

     The juxtaposition of California Gulls (Larus californicus) and Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) illustrates just how tiny this enchanting little duck is.

     Black Turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala) was frequently seen, but always delightful.

     Surfbird (Calidris virgata) is a chunky sandpiper, resembling a plover at a quick glance, and emblematic of rocky shorelines of the west coast. It is primarily a migrant or wintering species, and few of its nests have ever been found.

     An American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos caurinus) had located a bone, probably tossed away by a human, whether friendly or untidy, I am not sure. 

Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, BC

     We entered Beacon Hill Park which is a model of manicured perfection, all the while harbouring a good number of bird species.

     The Oregon race of Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is a very attractive bird.

     This Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) was having great success winkling out seeds from the cones on various conifers.

     A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) had perhaps the same pursuit in mind.

     Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) were verging on abundant in the park, and as far as we could tell were pretty much left to their own devices. None that we saw were even banded.

     It is a bit of a puzzle why this species has never been accepted as a feral species by the various taxonomic authorities in the same manner as Rock Dove (Columbia livia), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) or House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). They are found in many parts of the continent and while they adapt well to human companionship they appear to be wild birds in most instances, with self-sustaining populations. A woman I met on our first visit to Vancouver Island many years ago, in Ladysmith, told us that when she was a child peacocks would show up at her parent's farm at daybreak, perch on the roof of the barn and set up a racket. They waited for the farm cats' bowls to be filled and then swooped down to filch the food.

     Selwyn did his best to try to lure them to him, but without food to offer as a bribe he had little success.

     Momma remained aloof, and the kids stayed close to momma!

     Not far off a male observed the whole affair with complete disdain.

     A female Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) paid little attention to us or the peacocks!

     A couple of Anna's Hummingbirds (Calypte anna) were flitting from flower to flower in the beautiful gardens but we were unable to get a picture.

     This lady, resting on a bench, seemed quite disgruntled with a peacock ambling by.

     Yellow-faced Bumblebee (Bombus vosnesenskii) is close its northern limited in southern British Columbia, so we were delighted to see this individual.

     When Selwyn espied this branch it was just too much to resist.

    Success!

     Y dos amigos!

    We stopped mid morning at a delightful little café for a coffee, a pleasant break in an already very pleasant morning.

     Back in the park, we saw several Chestnut-backed Chickadees (Poecile rufescens), the species that replaces our familiar Black-capped Chickadee (P. atricapillus) at home.

     A male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was foraging in the same area.

     I don't think that in our whole time in BC we managed to obtain a good shot of a Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). Sometimes you have to take what you can get.

     Some of my earliest memories involve oak trees and acorns thudding to the ground in the fall; my love affair with them has never ended and I was delight to see this splendid Oregon Oak (Quercus garryana).

     We ate our lunch in the park and prepared to leave for Swan Lake Nature Reserve. We were a happy group.

Swan Lake Nature Reserve, Saanich, BC

     We had barely arrived when several Chestnut-backed Chickadees greeted us.

     There was also a small flock of American Bushtits (Psaltriparus minimus), but they scattered quickly before we could take a picture.

     This juvenile White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) was a little more accommodating.

     Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), a European immigrant, is undeniably beautiful.

     Four species of Snowberry (genus Symphoricarpos) occur in the Pacific Northwest, all white as you might imagine.

     Given my penchant for etymology, I know that you are waiting to see the breakdown of this tongue-twisting generic name, Syn, together, phorein, to bear, and karpos, fruit. There, don't you feel better now that you know!

     The paths meandered suitably and were all imbued with charm.

      I find Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium) exceptionally attractive. I confess to first thinking it was a species of holly (genus Ilex), pleading lack of familiarity with western species as my justification for this egregious sin!

     I have learned that the fruit yields a refreshing grape-like drink and an excellent jelly.

     Beggarticks (genus Bidens) is (are?) found in wet ditches or shallows by lake or stream throughout the west.

     The following striking dragonfly is a Typical Darner in the genus Aeshna, although I am uncertain as to the species. I am leaning towards Paddle-tailed Darner (Aeshna palmata) based on Dunkle (2000) but his picture is quite small and on Miriam's the head is hazy due to the wing action of the insect.

     Mallards were feeding voraciously on nutritious Duckweed (genus Lemna), caring little for pond etiquette as you may see!

     A Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) impressed us all.

     On previous visits to Swan Lake there has always been a variety of waterfowl, but it was disappointingly bereft on this occasion. A lone Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) was all that we observed other than the Mallards.

     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) lay in wait for an unsuspecting frog or fish to come within striking distance.

     Then, perhaps disturbed by us, or simply concluding that better success awaited on the other side of the lake, it took off.

     Blackberries (genus Rubus) were abundant.....

     ..... providing Selwyn with a tasty snack.

     A Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) posed nicely.

     A Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) entertained us for several minutes; I had not known that they are present on Vancouver Island.

     To give you an idea of its size, here it is next to a blackberry. (Full marks to all who recognized Miriam's lovely fingers!).

     This is a Stinkbug, family Pentalomidae, genus Chlorochroa.

     This Hawthorn is certainly in the genus Crataegus and is probably Crataegus columbiana.

     Meadowhawks are the classic dragonflies of autumn; this individual is a Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes).

Ogden Point Breakwater, Victoria, BC

     We stopped back at Ogden Point in the hope of finding Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba), but once again we struck out.

     There were alcids out on the water, but so far off as to preclude identification with any level of certainty. The only species close enough (and even they were quite far off) was Common Murre (Uria aalge).

     A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) popped up its head from time to time.

     I can't make up my mind whether this boat is a ferry, a sightseeing vessel or a whale-watching tour.

     It had a full load of passengers whatever its purpose.

     As they set out to enjoy their evening we headed back to the Helm's Inn to get ready for dinner. Let me give a shoutout to the Curry Club, 980, Blanshard Street, Victoria. We had excellent food in a very friendly atmosphere and were well satisfied. Miriam had butter chicken and I had chicken tikka and both were excellent. 

     Sukriya!