Iona Beach Regional Park
The day started out a bit overcast, which did allow for a somewhat moody shot of the main pond, which I did appreciate. I do tend to favour sunlit vistas but you need a bit of variety in life, am I right? Plus, it cleared up a bit later so we got the best of both worlds.
When driving in we saw a few Serious Birders by the main road looking at the sewage pond with their Serious Gear. What exotic birds did they have in their sights? Turns out, Mallards! A couple families of parents with adolescents, bathing in the muck. I mean, this is not Chernobyl so I assume the stuff isn’t toxic. It’s just weird gunk blooming in the heatwave, and the ducks are okay?
Nearby was a very artsy Spotted Towhee doing performance art symbolising how we are all trapped by the rules of society, probably.
Terra Nova Rural Park
Few birds around except for a very faraway Great Blue hanging out in the shallows. Was that really the only bird photo I’m willing to post? Wow. Well, we did witness a two-striped grasshopper (yes, that seems to be the species name) giving birth. Or at least laying eggs. She was right in the middle of the gravelly trail, which does not really seem ideal. Still, who knows? Rock might be better protection than soil.
Richmond Nature Park
On the way to ƛ̓éxətəm, we swung by the Nature Park. At least one seed feeder seemed full, but I could only see one House Finch, rooting around an empty feeder for a few moments. The nectar feeders were better used, but all hummingbirds were engaged in on-and-off dogfights and I just couldn’t get any good shots. Booo.
At least there were some nice dragonflies around the pond!
ƛ̓éxətəm (Tlahutum) Regional Park
So many babies around, from white-crowns to robins, all excitedly exploring the grounds and probably feasting on the garden plants.
And doing it all with — as far as I could tell — minimal adult supervision. I guess they’re a lot safer her than in the city? I don’t know if that’s really true, this place may have more predators than downtown. On the other hand: less noise and pollution, fewer humans and pets lumbering around, more vegetation to hide in, more nice grass on their little toesies, and probably better quality food. Not a bad place to grow up!
And while we’re all meditating on the circle of life, I witnessed a lot of red soldier beetles busy making the next generation. In one case, doing it as a threesome. Maybe. More likely a male trying to cut in.
The photos
