all of nature wild and free

 all of nature wild and free telling stories as they live their lives

Between yesterday's visit to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and today's trip to Carburn Park, I came away with many wonderings of what stories were being told. I attempted to decipher the birds, ducks, geese, eagles and even the coyote's actions and looks.  Sometimes I like to add a twist to reality by adding my own interpretation to what is happening before my eyes!  

interpretations

After returning from my visit to The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, I created three watercolour interpretations from photos I took.  I tried to pay extra attention to the head slant and the eye thinking that would help with portraying a look that they were each giving some kind of a look.  I can actually see in each painting, they have a look of intent but I am not sure what their story might be!

Tree Swallow

female House Finch

Merlin

the chase

It was the ruckus on the river at Carburn Park that caught my attention. I did not know whether to capture photos or take a video when I realized what was transpiring.  Taking photographs was the automatic response but they do not convey the urgency of the ducks and geese to fend off the coyote.  I think I have it right with my deciphering of what took place.  

coupling up

They are free to pick who they want to be with year after year, although some species mate for life. That being said fights still take place to preserve relationships already in place and also amongst the single crowd who are still making a choice.  The males do their best to impress, in a way that seems wild.  These days it appears many have already coupled up while others are still searching for a significant other for this season.    

Common Goldeneyes

Northern Flickers

Common Mergansers

standing guard

While enjoying my time at both Inglewood and Carburn, I noticed a particular type of activity.  At times the vocalizations became more frequent and also frantic-like as I approached.  I stopped, I listened, I looked and then I saw the birds were standing close to nests.  I assumed it was the males standing on guard while the females were in the nest.  That's my interpretation of what story they were telling but I could be off as I am not able to identify a male from a female in the Chickadee family nor the Sparrow species. I snapped my shots and then took off!

Black-capped Chickadee

House Sparrows

Of course, I checked in on the Carburn Bald Ealges, the Carburn Canada Geese and the Inglewood Bald Eagles.  Lots of standing on guard was going on.  All activity appears to be as it should, progressing in a positive direction.   

male Carburn Bald Eagle standing guard

female Carburn Bald Eagle in the nest

Carburn Canada Geese both in the nest

female Inglewood Bald Eagle in the nest

These are my photos used as references for the paintings at the beginning of this post.