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