Southern Vancouver Island Wildlife

[sassyk]

Otter at McNeill Bay on June 11th.

[sassyk]

Owls at Beacon Hill Park this evening. The lighting wasn't too good as it was getting dark.

[elle]

I saw the owls at Beacon Hill Park yesterday too , Kay.

Female Barred
Awake

Asleep

[elle]

Great Horned Owl at Beacon Hill. Actually saw 2 of them but one was too hard to photograph.

Peek a boo

Nap time

Too tired to finish the prey?

[sassyk]

I can't figure out what prey the GH owl had

[elle]

Kay: I think it is a crow.

[sassyk]

Saw this Red-tailed Hawk near the Willis Point eagle nest on Wed. The eaglets saw it too

Saw this Downy Woodpecker near the Coles Bay eagle nest on Wed.

[sassyk]

Saw a family of California Quail on the path leading into Centennial Park on Wed.

All the little chicks went scurrying across the path to the other side. We counted at least 12 chicks.

[sassyk]

We saw this rabbit (or hare?) on the path into Centennial Park, watching the quail.

We saw this gorgeous sub-adult bald eagle perched in a snag across from the Pendray Farm on West Saanch Rd. on Wed.

[sassyk]

I went to Beacon Hill Park for a short while last evening to find the owls. I was in luck I spotted the fledgling owlet first then one of its parents a few minutes later. The parent was up very high and half hidden behind the branches so I couldn't get a clear photo of it. I did get a couple of the owlet It didn't matter where I stood to see it that leaf was always in front of its head

[sassyk]

On June 27th we saw a bunch of cows on the former Epicure property on W. Saanich Rd. 2 of them were behind the yellow tractor when we arrived and came out to see who was at the gate. One came right up to the gate and was licking a piece of plastic that was stuck in the dirt then tried to eat the little purple flowers.

[sassyk]

On June 27th while watching an adult in the eagle nest at the Deep Cove Winery, we heard a 2nd adult squawking down by the beach. We went to investigate and there were several Turkey Vultures flying around over the beach. When we approached the beach the eagle flew off over the water; it was perched in an Arbutus tree and we didn't see it so no photo. After the eagle flew off the vultures flew in and perched in the Arbutus tree. One flew down onto a rock at the edge of the embankment.

[sassyk]

I went to visit the Barred Owls in Beacon Hill Park last night. Unfortunately, I left it too late to get decent photos; there wasn't much light. Also, my camera wasn't cooperating with focusing on the subject The owlet was perched on a branch screeching at Mom who was perched quite low in a nearby tree. The owlet flew from tree to tree and at one time I heard it crash landing in the bushes. It wasn't hurt; it just flapped up to another branch. Several times Mom flew to different branches and the owlet followed. It was a good practice session for the owlet

I managed to get a few photos that were half-decent. This is Mom on the low branch.

The owlet just before it flew to another branch to join Mom.

Mom on one of the many branches she flew to.

[elle]

What a sweetie owlet Thanks Kay. Ian and I walked through Beacon Hill Park this afternoon and saw Mum Barred Owl with her owlet. It was nice to see they were not being harassed by too many photographers. Also saw one GHO in the usual spot. Only one today. And no photographers.

[sassyk]

There were quite a few fledgling herons in the park; some flying quite well, some landing on the top of bushes

2 nests with young flapping their wings. It gets crowded in those small nests

This one looked very scared, huddled on top of a bush at the side of Goodacre Lake.

2 in this nest.