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The Story of Sandy, the Harlequin Duck, Nov 8, 2011
Sunrise over Sambro Island, Nov 17, 2011
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Portuguese Cove, Nov 18-19, 2011
hand prepared for an easy capture. Well this crafty bird ducked into the hollow formed by a fallen
tree. It was impossible to get at it so rather than rattle the bird further we decided to get the car
and try again a little later.
After returning to the scene of the duck's hidey hole I came to the conclusion that this bird would
likely not survive the night since clearly it was unable to fly due to injury or fatigue. I used a stick
as a motivator and out it came. After a short chase in the underbrush I captured it.
With Laura holding the Harlequin Duck under my sweater we headed for the Spryfield Animal
contacted. A volunteer was available in the area for immediate pickup and transport of the bird.
The Harlequin Duck was emaciated and also its lower mandible was hanging loose, either broken or
a muscle tear. The poor bird was starving hence its odd dabbling behavior at Sandy Cove this
morning. Its wings appeared undamaged so it was probably just too fatigued to fly.
When last seen the Harlequin Duck was resting in a blanket lined box. I closed the lid and wrote
on it the identify of the bird, my name and phone number, and the name we gave it, Sandy.
I fear to followup to see what has happened. In my previous experiences an injured bird is returned
to its point of capture for release. If that happens it will be a happy day for us.
We wish it well.
tree. It was impossible to get at it so rather than rattle the bird further we decided to get the car
and try again a little later.
After returning to the scene of the duck's hidey hole I came to the conclusion that this bird would
likely not survive the night since clearly it was unable to fly due to injury or fatigue. I used a stick
as a motivator and out it came. After a short chase in the underbrush I captured it.
With Laura holding the Harlequin Duck under my sweater we headed for the Spryfield Animal
contacted. A volunteer was available in the area for immediate pickup and transport of the bird.
The Harlequin Duck was emaciated and also its lower mandible was hanging loose, either broken or
a muscle tear. The poor bird was starving hence its odd dabbling behavior at Sandy Cove this
morning. Its wings appeared undamaged so it was probably just too fatigued to fly.
When last seen the Harlequin Duck was resting in a blanket lined box. I closed the lid and wrote
on it the identify of the bird, my name and phone number, and the name we gave it, Sandy.
I fear to followup to see what has happened. In my previous experiences an injured bird is returned
to its point of capture for release. If that happens it will be a happy day for us.
We wish it well.
Harlequin Ducks at Duncan Reef, Nov 9, 2011
Sandy
Duncan Reef is one of those rare places where nature offers up pleasant surprises. On this visit I
Several times in the late fall and early winter I enjoy early morning hikes to Crystal Crescent Beach
Provincial Park to enjoy the sunrise behind Sambro Island. A jaunt onto the coastal barrens is
usually my next step.
Provincial Park to enjoy the sunrise behind Sambro Island. A jaunt onto the coastal barrens is
usually my next step.
Our home in Portuguese Cove is a bird lovers dream but despite all the birds we do get, birds of the
Our home in Portuguese Cove is a bird lovers dream but despite all the birds we do get, birds of the
Our home in Portuguese Cove is a bird lovers dream but despite all the birds we do get, birds of the
home in Portuguese Cove is a bird lovers dream but despite all the birds we do get, birds of the
House Sparrow and two White-breasted Nuthatches. But recently we had our first ever Red-bellied
lot nevertheless the availability of a good spotting scope looking over the Atlantic ocean with all
those migrants and pelagic birds to count would certainly increase the tally. Ahhh, to dream of a
132mm William Optics triplet!
Our home in Portuguese Cove is a bird lovers dream but despite all the birds we do get, birds of the
Our home in Portuguese Cove is a bird lovers dream but despite all the birds we do get, birds of the
home in Portuguese Cove is a bird lovers dream but despite all the birds we do get, birds of the
House Sparrow and two White-breasted Nuthatches. But recently we had our first ever Red-bellied
lot nevertheless the availability of a good spotting scope looking over the Atlantic ocean with all
those migrants and pelagic birds to count would certainly increase the tally. Ahhh, to dream of a
132mm William Optics triplet!
American Coot, Duck Pond, Sir Sanford Fleming Park, Nov 25, 2011
The American Coot is an uncommon duck in Nova Scotia, although it can be reliably found in
each year. Laura and I first saw these divers Nov 9 but at least one continued to linger. This one
spent most of its time mixing with the late dabbling ducks near the viewing platform.
The American Coot is an uncommon duck in Nova Scotia, although it can be reliably found in
each year. Laura and I first saw these divers Nov 9 but at least one continued to linger. This one
spent most of its time mixing with the late dabbling ducks near the viewing platform.
Northern Mockingbird, all of Dec, 2011
sucessfully overwinter here although we will give it lots of help. So far its ignored our The
offerings and has show little interest in the nearby Baltimore Oriole feeder which is
sucessfully overwinter here although we will give it lots of help. So far its ignored our The
December, if not November. It has been a daily regular ever since and it is showing all
Northern Mockingbird arrived at our place in Portuguese Cove sometime early in grape
indications that it's here for the duration of the winter. It's a tough bird and requires little
help to sucessfully overwinter here although we will give it lots of help. So far its ignored our
grape offerings and has show little interest in the nearby Baltimore Oriole feeder which is
loaded up with more grapes, grape jelly, suet and meal worms. It has a reputation as an
aggressive bird and has already been seen chasing orioles.
sucessfully overwinter here although we will give it lots of help. So far its ignored our The
offerings and has show little interest in the nearby Baltimore Oriole feeder which is
sucessfully overwinter here although we will give it lots of help. So far its ignored our The
December, if not November. It has been a daily regular ever since and it is showing all
Northern Mockingbird arrived at our place in Portuguese Cove sometime early in grape
indications that it's here for the duration of the winter. It's a tough bird and requires little
help to sucessfully overwinter here although we will give it lots of help. So far its ignored our
grape offerings and has show little interest in the nearby Baltimore Oriole feeder which is
loaded up with more grapes, grape jelly, suet and meal worms. It has a reputation as an
aggressive bird and has already been seen chasing orioles.
Boreal Chickadee, Duncan's Cove, Dec 1, 2011
The Boreal Chickadee is among my favourite birds although I love all birds! It's curious and will
remain loyal to a suet find for a complete winter. Some of you may have noticed that this bird is
The Boreal Chickadee is among my favourite birds although I love all birds! It's curious and will
remain loyal to a suet find for a complete winter. Some of you may have noticed that this bird is
There was a south-westerly gale along the Nova Scotia coast and I took the opportunity to drive
the Peggy's Cove loop around the western side of the Chebucto Peninsula. The photographic
opportunities were limited due to the bland grey sky and generaly gloomy conditions.
Peggy's Cove, north side
Cove's beach and a view towards Sambro Island and the Sambro Island Light. There is a belief
Island Light that proves these folks wrong. The secret is using a superior prime lens. All three
images are uncropped.
Island Light that proves these folks wrong. The secret is using a superior prime lens. All three
images are uncropped.
Peggy's Cove Light
Minolta 400mm F4.5 Prime Lens
