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Although we were excited to see the mammals of the grasslands (and there were a lot we didn’t see, like badgers, skunks, and others) it was the birds that we came here for, primarily.
Most of the birds we photographed were seen within the Ecotour Scenic Drive (in orange).
So here, without fanfare are some of our favourites from this special region presented in alphabetical order.
Baltimore Oriole male (Icterus galbula) at Two Trees
Although I had seen this species before (not sure how long ago), this was my first opportunity to photograph it. I like the shot above, even though, he’s hiding. We eventually got more open looks when we reached Winnipeg, MB.
Baltimore Oriole female (Icterus galbula) at Two Trees: quite similar to the Bullock’s Oriole that we see in BC.
Barn Swallows have been a nemesis bird for me for several years. I see lots of ’em, but they’re always, it seems, on the wing. At Grasslands, I had two special opportunities to view them up close and posing, and I’m reasonably happy with the photos I got. (After returning to Kelowna, I finally found a place where, for a week or so each summer, I should be able to get BASWs, especially juveniles, taking a breather and availing themselves to photographers….)
Barn Swallow male (Hirundo rustica) at Two TreesBarn Swallow female (Hirundo rustica) at Two TreesTwo Trees BASW warning us about the trail: “All yer gonna see is Bobolinks!”Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) on Riverwalk trail at Two Trees. (The Barn Swallow on the sign in the photo above was right; while all we saw were Bobolinks, we were delighted, even though this one was devilishly evasive!)Another Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) on Riverwalk trail at Two Trees — a bird I had long wanted to see again! Last time — 1960!Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) at Two Trees — another lifer!Brown-headed Cowbird male (Molothrus ater). We often saw these birds with Bison….Clay-coloured Sparrow (Spizella pallida) at Two Trees — a lifer, too.Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) at Two Trees — first look; there’s a separate post on this youngster and his mom and sister (to be fair, I was just guessing on the genders)….Horned Lark pair (Eremophila alpestris): thousands of them, in total, a few at a time, always a few feet in front of the car!House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) at Two TreesLark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys): score yet another lifer!!Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)Northern Pintail pair (Anas acuta). Far more common on the Prairies than around Kelowna!Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis anthinus)
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) — a lifer raptor….Swainson’s takes flight….Blackpoll Warbler (Mniotilta varia) juvenile at Two Trees: another lifer! (Originally listed as Unknown Warbler.)Upland Sandpiper ( Bartramia longicauda) at Two Trees: yet another lifer!!Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) at Two TreesWestern Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) on a post near Old Man On His Back bison ranch.
Although we were excited to see the mammals of the grasslands (and there were a lot we didn’t see, like badgers, skunks, and others) it was the birds that we came here for, primarily.
birds & musings 