American Robin

The lead singer in the dawn chorus every day is this villain, an American Robin, cousin of the varied Thrush. Another of the group of garden birds that we want to photograph, including the Spotted Towhees and the insanely fast humming birds that we see flitting.

This guy was attracted by some fresh dug earth near our bird bath.


Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons
When : 27th June, 2008

Californian Lilac

One of Karens favourites at the moment. This small bunch (about two metres in diameter) is on South Fletcher Road. A bushy, compact shrub with bright blue flowers during summer.


Where : South Fletcher Road, Gibsons
When : 22nd June, 2008

The Harbour

The bits of Gibsons, to the left is the Government Wharf, to the right is Gibsons Marina and behind the Marina are the bluffs. The first island is Keats and the lump behind is Bowen Island.


Where : South Fletcher Road, Gibsons
When : 22nd June, 2008

Snake

This guy, about 20 inches long was down at the shoreline, near the Gibsons Bluffs. It may be a garter snake, and looking at the web it could also be a night snake, although, they are supposed to be nocturnal. As I was photographing this guy, he looking to be setting up to pounce, not rushing away.

If it was a night snake, this is a rare find as they are on the endangered list. if it is a garter snake, well, that's two in a very short time.


Where : Gibsons Bluffs
When : 22nd June, 2008

Crab

A walk along the bluffs beach gave us a few surprises, not that the following couple of pictures are of rare critters, just that we actually had the camera with us. This guy was caught outside of a rock pool, taking a stroll in the sun. A small crab, only about two inches long and probably happier to see us than a hungry gull.


Where : Gibsons Bluffs
When : June, 2008

Seagull versus Eagle

Today it was the turn of a young bald eagle to be chased off the Seagulls territory, it was a case of Tora, Tora, Tora as the Seagulls dive bombed the eagle, and today, the gulls appeared to be winning.


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : June, 2008

Old friends

They're back, well, they probably never went away. The river otters are down by the sea wall by the Gibsons Marina. The pier on the Government Wharf was obviously too busy and noisy for them, so they just moved over to the sea wall.


Where : Gibsons Marina
When : June, 2008

Fungi

This spotted on a spring climb up Soames Hill near Gibsons. It was something absolutely huge, about 160mm diameter and stuck on a log. At first I didn't know what it was, then after giving it a slight squeeze, realised it was a very firm mushroom or fungal growth.


Where : Soames Hill, Gibsons
When : March, 2008

Steller's Jay

It was a good two days, simply because we did not take the camera on our walks. The river otters were back down at the government wharf yesterday, at least three of them over at the sea wall, happily chasing each other in and out of the water.

Today, started with some old favorites, three Steller's Jays being noisy up on Tricklebrook Way, then later a very young deer on Gower point road, quite close to Mollies Reach, thinking about dodging traffic.

We paused for a few minutes and watched a mischievious raccoon trying to climb into someones kitchen window near Beach Road, and then up by Gibsons Creek we stood about five feet from a stunning yearling deer, happily munching on assorted greenery. It kept a careful eye on us, but was not spooked in the least.


Where : Tricklebrook Way, Gibsons
When : 17th June, 2008

This photo from www.birdsource.org

Northwestern Garter Snake

We found this little guy on the shoreline, near quite a rocky area on the Sechelt Peninsula. We believe it's a Northwestern Garter Snake, and measured about two feet long. An exciting find on a Saturday afternoon walk, even more special as the batteries were dying in the camera.


Where : Sechelt, Sunshine Coast, BC
When : 14th June, 2008

Glaucous-winged Gull

Here is an adult Glaucous-winged Gull down at the Marina on Thursday. This guy is about three or four years old based on beak colour.

The species is very common here on the coast, they appear to be able to eat anything and are quite territorial. Last week I witnessed one steal an egg out of a crows nest near our house, it took off like a rocket, egg in beak, persued by a very angry crow.


Where : Gibsons Marina
When : June 12th, 2008

Killdeer

One of our common shorebirds down by the marina, the Killdeer is elusive to photograph though. I'm sure these little guys know exactly when the focus button is pushed because, as soon as you do, they're off.

This little guy was pretending to be a bump on a log and wasn't quick enough to escape.


Where : Gibsons Marina
When : October, 2007

Japanese Maple

A tree that Karen has always wanted, yet difficult to grow in Ontario, appears to be quite prolific here on the coast. Here is a fine example around the corner on Hillcrest Road.


Where : Hillcrest Road, Gibsons
When : October, 2007

Gunnera

We thought this was rather large to be rhubarb and found out that it was a Gunnera. Absolutely huge (as demonstrated by the lovely Karen) this plant thrives on British Columbia's "wet coast" and usually, the growth you see is from one season.


Where : Hillcrest Road, Gibsons
When : October, 2007

Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority

The Government Wharf in Gibsons Harbour, this is the area where the river otters made their home in the winter, the Kingfisher frequents the many masts of the boats docked here, and of course the pigeons, seagulls and other marine birds spend most of their time above and below the wharf.


Where : Government Wharf
When : March, 2008

Gibsons Marina

There was slight confusion when we first moved here, as Gibsons Marina, and the Government Wharf are two different things, but coexist in Gibsons Landing Harbour. In a sheltered channel between Keats Island and Gibsons, Shoal bay.

Entering between the breakwaters of the inner harbour, straight ahead is the Hyak Marine fuel dock and ways, to the left is Gibsons Marina, and to the right the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority (GLHA) floats.


Where : Gibsons Marina
When : June, 2008

Canada Geese

No House points for spotting these guys, however, here are a couple of baby geese, goslings or gidgets, whatever you want to call them. The Canada Geese are usually found lazing at the shore near the bluffs at the marina, they're quite tolerant of the beachcomber types like the pair of us. I was quite close when I took this picture without any hissing fits from the mother.


Where : Gibsons Marina
When : June, 2008

Double Crested Cormorant

Always milling about down by the Government Wharf at Gibsons Landing, the Cormorants compete with a variety of marine birds for the various fish. These guys actually swim like fish, often diving down for a minute or more to reappear 30 or 40 feet from where they started. They can be often seen drying themselves in between feeding (like the fellow on the left).


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : December, 2007

Strait of Georgia

This was down at Roberts Creek and they were flying low, we're assuming they're the double crested Cormorants that we see a lot of (see next post). It was a beautiful overcast day on the Strait of Georgia, we'd seen about a dozen or more seals on their way up to Davis Bay and these guys flew the opposite way towards Gibsons.


Where : Roberts Creek, BC
When : December, 2007

Fungi

Cliff Gilker Park provides many trails through lush forest and creeks, we've spent a lot of time there walking, seldom with a camera. Here is another nameless mushroom flock for your consumption.

Log size, approx 400mm. Mushrooms around 20 to 45mm.


Where : Cliff Gilker Park
When : November, 2007

Fungi

Large mushrooms,toadstools and lichen abound in this lush rainforest, in time we'll be able to identify the type, but for now, we'll just publish and certainly will not be snacking on any of these.

Diameter, about 80mm.


Where : The Bluffs, Gibsons
When : October, 2007

House Cats

This blog would not be complete without a pair of pests we see every day, here are our owners, Bill and Ben. This photo was taken in the car, waiting for the ferry, back in September. The previous five days had been spent driving across Canada with them, which was interesting for all concerned.


Where : Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, BC
When : 25th September, 2007

Spiders

The identification of individual species is going to be difficult, so we'll just post pictures and sizes as time goes by, Karen tolerates them as long as they don't jump from behind a shower curtain like Norman Bates. The mother in law, Pat, also does not like them. I've become the "minder" and am often tasked with transporting them out of the house.

This guy made a big web at the patio doors when we first moved in, his total length was about 40mm.


Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons
When : October, 2007

Salmon

Although we have been to the Chapman Creek Fish hatchery, seen real coho and chinook salmon, eaten salmon burgers and watched farm salmon have their rear fins clipped, we have not seen a wild one yet, however, here's a dead one...


Where : Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast, BC
When : December, 2007

Glaucous-winged Gull

Its a small coastal, fishing village type marina and we have seagulls, of course. This young gull was snapped on the pier at the Government Wharf, what type of gull? - well, the glaucous-winged gull is the most common gull of British Columbia and the adults that hang around the harbour certainly resemble that type.


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : March, 2008

Barrows Goldeneye

A medium sized diving duck, usually seen near the walking trail at the harbour front and around the Gibsons Government Wharf. This was taken on a cool early February day.


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : February, 2008

Black Bear

The Bear Aware pamphlet says that backyard bird feeders should be removed after the winter months, however, we had great fun with the squirrels and various birds that used it that we kept stocking it well into early June.

Until....


Where : Creekside Crescent
When : June, 2008

Belted Kingfisher

The harbour area attracts so many different types of birds, but it was a surprise on a couple of days to see a belted Kingfisher. Karen was always frustrated that she had not seen a kingfisher in Ontario, however, down in Gibsons Landing she has seen two so far.


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : February, 2008
This photo from the Mount Diablo Audubon Society

Harbour or Rock Pigeons

Rock Pigeons, Harbour pigeons or band tailed pigeons are seen down at Gibsons Landing and Davis Bay pier all the time, here a bunch of them wait for a bald eagle to swoop down and take one of them for dinner....


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : March, 2008

The Bald Eagle

One of the most majestic birds on this coastline, the Bald Eagle is everywhere, here in Gibsons, along Howe Sound and up the coast. The most memorable flying, social and hunting events have been witnessed while enjoying a beer at the Lighthouse pub in Sechelt, but this guy was phootographed soaring above Gibsons Landing.


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : March, 2008

Deer

Oh, we've seen deer, and have now officially stopped counting. We find the best way to see deer is to go walking without the camera and one of the funniest moments was a week or so ago when a couple were chomping down on a neighbours garden. However, here was one that we snapped on Reed Road that happened to go by when we actually had the camera.


Where : Reed Road, Gibsons
When : February, 2008

Great Blue Heron

A regular visitor, not only at Gibsons Landing, but also on the local rooftops in Creekside Crescent. The Great Blue Heron tends to keep it's distance from people, but close enough to show off it's fishing skills.


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : February, 2008

Harbour Seal

This guy was interested in what the otters were up to, it seemed that they were cooperating when fishing. Who knows? - This was taken from the pier at the Government Wharf in Gibsons harbour.


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : February, 2008

River Otter

The Gibsons Government Wharf became the Winter home to three or four river Otters, probably from Howe Sound or Port Mellon way. We visited them several times on our daily walks, they disappeared around May, 2008.


Where : Gibsons Landing
When : February, 2008

Pileated Woodpecker

What started off as a brief red flash in the woods behind the house, turned out to be a pileated woodpecker which we've now seen several times.


Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons
When : May, 2008
This photo from the Missouri www.mo.gov website

Red Backed Jumping Spider

Now here's one that would scare the occasional bejeebers out of the lovely Karen. As with most young ladies, she don't like spiders, although is starting to become tolerant of them, mainly because we have thousands here in the garden.


Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons
When : April, 2008

Assassin Bug

This one is what we believe to be a type of Pacific Nortwest Assassin Bug. In the garden, trolling around amongst the rocks. One of those things that for some reason does not send Karen off running.


Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons
When : April, 2008

Douglas Squirrel

As I said, the bird box proved to be very popular in the winter months, here is a Douglas Squirrel who almost lived there full time. There was a voracious requirement for seeds and nuts, plus the occasional skirmish with other critters.


Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons
When : April, 2008

Varied Thrush

The backyard bird feeder attracts all sorts of critters, one of which was a regular visitor, a varied thrush.


Where : Creekside Crescent, Gibsons.
When : March 2008

Chickens

A walk on a winters day brought us down to the waterfront in Gibsons. A lady who owns a lovely house there keeps five chickens, and they wanted to see what type of camera I was using.


Where : Gibsons Waterfront
When : November 2007

Northern Flicker

I was first to see one of these up on Hillcrest Road, at first I thought it was a starling pecking about in the grass. The bright red/orange details made me wonder though. Karen did some research and came up with the name and the fact that it was a type of woodpecker.

The second sighting was in our back yard, we were sitting on the deck, having a beer and one landed on the patio. The third was not Camera shy, nearby, on Crucil Road.


Where : Crucil Road, Gibsons.
When : June, 2008

Cedar Waxwing

Karen was all excited to see one of these guys in a tree near the carpark at the garden centre. The bird appeared to be reasonably tame actually, allowed us to get quite close.


Where : B & K Landscape Supplies, Gibsons.
When : June, 2008

Welcome.

Welcome to our Gibsons Nature Watch Blog.

The Town of Gibsons is on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia and we moved here in September 2007. I thought I'd start a blog about the animals and sights we see, if I don't then I'm going to forget what we've seen.

It might also be a good forum for me to occasionally waffle about, life, the universe and everything......