The mantra continues; ‘There is snow in Nakusp’. Saturday saw snow falling. Some brding around town was planned but the cold and the snow determined that a slow drive south to the village of Burton was a better option. We were searching for brave and naïve Northern Pygmy Owls. The idea was that the owls sit like little tennis balls atop the taller Conifers and in doing so made them easy to spot.
We didn’t spot any.
The owls were neither naïve or brave but, in keeping with the stereotype, wise and well hidden.
The drive to Burton was good though and the Burton coffee shop, named the Burton Coffee Shop was comfortable and sold coffee. We got to know the shop quite well as we had a minor issue with Gary’s car. The help arrived in two hours while we planned birding trips to places dotted around the world but mostly to North east Australia and East Africa. While waiting we ordered, to the noticeable happiness of the woman serving, two burgers. The burgers were big. Three weeks of skim milk were quickly wasted as the beast was consumed.
Soon the car was running and we rolled into it to return to Nakusp.
Sunday started with the curtains drawn to reveal dazzling sunshine; the western mountains shone. And it was a beautiful sight. Strolling around the streets slowly revealed many of the birds already recorded; Downy Woodpeckers, Flickers, Siskins, Goldfinches, Chickadees, Red breasted Nuthatches, Stellers and the elusive Blue Jay, rows, Ravens, Herring Gulls, Mallards, Pacific Wren, Horned Grebes, and Song Sparrows. A short drive revealed my first ‘local’ Northern Shrike – a welcome addition to the Nakusp List. 49 spp so far for Nakusp. Not too bad a start for winter.
Sunday afternoon had an Aussie ring to it. Football and a couple of beers. The beer was Molsen. The football American. Baltimore lost to New England in a close contest. New York defeated San Francisco so the Super Bowl will now be decided in a fortnight between those two winning teams.
Perhaps i will watch the Super Bowl! And drink a beer and have a hotdog. Stay tuned.
Love the snow shots Ken. When last on no photos were coming through but pleased to report they now are. Keep em coming. Marleen in Townsville.
ReplyDeleteHey Ken these photos are stunning!! Straight off a Christmas card! How are the kids enjoying the snow - lots of tobogining? (I know I've misspelt that) Also Lee is having a fit - she can't find your literacy books. Can you remember where you left them - we have looked everywhere in the MP block. Stuart is having a baptism by fire - missing textbooks, but hopefully enjoying it all. He laughed his head off over your birding guide to all of us and was very impressed with the veracity of your observations. (How is that even after knowing us all for just a few days!)
ReplyDeleteKeep posting the photos! All the best Kay