Adventures New and Old

It is almost 2019. The winter solstice is past and days are getting slowly longer. Now is a time for remembering old adventures and anticipating new ones. Many of my reflections are tied up with my favourite photos from 2018: the first grizzly seen at Kokanee Creek in 20 years; the Trumpeter Swans on Kootenay Lake; an American Dipper chick (and its siblings) in the nest; shore birds on the beach at Kokanee Creek; the black bear cub and sow at Six Mile; the Merlin that caught a Flicker right in front of me; the Redtail Hawk that frequented Kootenay Lake for awhile; the Osprey nest at Taghum; and the Western Grebes and Great Blue Herons on the Nelson Waterfront.

Western Grebe at Nelson Waterfront

Red Tail Hawk

Western Meadowlark on the Nelson Waterfront in Winter

American Dipper in Autumn

Young Grizzly Male at Kokanee Creek – the first sighting of a grizzly at Kokanee in 20 years

A Bald Eagle on Kootenay Lake

Black Bear Cub “just hanging around”

Painted Turtles Sunning at Taghum

A Ruffed Grouse Female Protecting her Young

American Dipper Chick in the Nest

A Winter Great Blue Heron on the Nelson Waterfront

Fledgling Osprey Waiting for a Meal

Male Turkeys Displaying in the Snow

Greater Yellowlegs at Kokanee

Trumpeter Swan at Kokanee Creek

Merlin Catches a Flicker

Long-billed Dowitchers at Kokanee Creek

There is so much more I could say about 2018, but on this sunny, snowy winter’s day, I am looking forward to the new adventures just over the horizon.

Here’s to the future awaiting us all – I wish you the best of years in 2019!

all images and writing copyright J.A. Siderius 2018.