View from Swallows' Landing

The steep green hillside in the foreground is the Matson Lands, a conservation/restoration area of the Garry Oak ecosystem. On the right beyond the trees is West Bay and its Marina and RV Campground. The stairway in the foreground is to protect the Matson Lands from trampling and other damage. At the bottom it connects with the West Bay Walkway.

Dance-Off!

I am pleased to present a pair of my favorite little diving ducks doing their mating dance. Two male Hooded Mergansers here are competing for the favors of a single rather bored looking female. The dance consists of extending the neck to its maximum length and jerking the head back and forth in an attractive fashion.

Signs of Spring II

Here's another sign that we are approaching spring - the appearance of the little Harbour Ferries that trundle around the Inner Harbour and the Gorge, providing both transportation and sightseeing. This one was spotted yesterday cruising in front of the houseboats at West Bay Marina. This ferry service does not operate during the winter months. The first ferries began to run on February 28. During the summer the little ferries perform a "Water Ballet" in the Inner Harbour at 10:30 every Sunday Morning. Check it out in the video below (not my video).

Hanging Out to Dry

If you spend much time in an area with Double-crested Cormorants you will soon notice that they spend a lot of time posed like the one above. The reason for this odd stance is that unlike many other water birds such as ducks, their feathers do not repel water. This is also the reason that they swim so low in the water, often with only the upper part of their backs visible. There's a good reason for this - they are divers and buoyant feathers mean much more work to stay submerged when chasing fish. However, this also means that after swimming around underwater for some time they must spread their wings to let them dry. Being heavy makes diving easier but makes flying much harder.

Welcome!

When winter's icy winds howl across the frozen wastes we may go for a long time without seeing our friends, but we always welcome with open arms any guests who pass our way....