Here is another batch of photos from my kayaking excursions on Mamit Lake, 12 km from our home in Logan Lake. By early September 2020 the lake level had risen almost a metre, so there was somewhat less area of mudflats and fewer shorebirds. But still interesting – each time I go I see something new.
With September comes cool foggy mornings until the sun hits the lake. Quite lovely to be out on the water with wisps of foggy mist along the shore.
Early morning fog on Mamit Lake, B.C. – 3 September 2020. ©Alan Burger
In the early morning misty light an Osprey keeps a lookout for its fishy breakfast. © Alan Burger
A big flock of Black-billed Magpies working the mudflats at Mamit Lake in the early morning. © Alan Burger
This Coyote emerged from the long grass to snuffle around the mudflats, frightening off a bunch of ducks. © Alan Burger
For some minutes the Coyote never noticed me sitting quietly offshore in my kayak. © Alan Burger
The first bits of sunlight starting to burn off the morning fog – Mamit Lake, 3 September 2020. © Alan Burger
The first touches of fall colours – Mamit Lake, 3 September 2020. © Alan Burger
Once again, several Least Sandpipers were feeding on the mudflats but far off so hard to photograph. © Alan Burger
A Pectoral Sandpiper was a nice treat on 3 September – in the BC interior this species is usually found in the fall, migrating south. © Alan Burger
Pectoral Sandpiper – Mamit Lake, 3 September 2020. © Alan Burger
A Green-winged Teal is reflected in the early morning sunlight. © Alan Burger
Takeoff! – Green-winged Teal. © Alan Burger
Canada Geese arriving at the lake from some overnight grazing site. © Alan Burger
Canada Geese relaxing in the sunshine. © Alan Burger
A recently-fledged Red-necked Grebe still showing the striped head of its chick phase. © Alan Burger
On 3 September, dozens of Yellow-rumped Warblers were in the lakeside bushes, on their southward migration. Wilson’s Warbler and Orange-crowned Warbler were also seen. © Alan Burger
Elegant Lesser Yellowlegs were once again foraging along the muddy shore – 3 September 2020. © Alan Burger
Yellow Pine Chipmunks are quite common along the lakeshore, coming down among the shore boulders and beached logs to forage. © Alan Burger
A Yellow Pine Chipmunk curious about me sitting just offshore in the kayak. © Alan Burger
This leg action was part of its grooming – Yellow Pine Chipmunk. © Alan Burger
Yellow Pine Chipmunk – Mamit Lake, B.C., 3 September 2020. © Alan Burger
Losing confidence, the chipmunk scrambles off to the safety of the bushes. © Alan Burger
A couple of Common Mergansers – fish-eating ducks. © Alan Burger
Common Mergansers. Notice how the upper beak can flex upwards as the bird opens its beak – that extra gape is useful in catching fish and aquatic insects underwater. © Alan Burger
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On 10 September, another lovely morning on the lake. The 15 pelicans that had spent most of the summer at this lake had disappeared by 3 September, except for one lone bird who tended to hang out with the Canada Geese. But on 10 September there were five pelicans.
Five White Pelicans at Mamit Lake – 10 September 2020. © Alan Burger
A juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper – a fairly uncommon sandpiper in the B.C. interior. Distinguishing features include long wings (extend beyond the tail), pale scaly-looking back and wings, straight thin bill, buffy upper breast and black legs. 10 September 2020. ©Alan Burger
A Pectoral Sandpiper (left) with the Baird’s Sandpiper – Mamit Lake 10 September 2020. ©Alan Burger
Pectoral Sandpiper – one of three at Mamit Lake on 10 September 2020. ©Alan Burger
Killdeers on the mudflats forage by rapidly tapping one foot on the ground and then bending down to pick up any small organisms that might emerge from the mud. That is what this bird is doing. ©Alan Burger
A Killdeer backlit by the first light in the morning. © Alan Burger
The tall dead snags around the lake are attractive perches for birds – especially raptors on the lookout for potential prey.
An immature Red-tailed Hawk perching on a dead snag. ©Alan Burger
An Osprey using a lofty perch to scan for fish out on the lake. ©Alan Burger
A Great Blue Heron roosting on a tall snag at Mamit Lake. ©Alan Burger
A Cooper’s Hawk using a dead snag to watch for potential prey – other birds. ©Alan Burger
A closer look at the Cooper’s Hawk. The streaky breast indicates a juvenile bird, hatched this past summer. ©Alan Burger
The Cooper’s Hawk saw something and swooped down to disappear into the forest. ©Alan Burger
A flock of 12 American Pipits was a new addition to the species list for this summer at Mamit Lake – 10 September 2020. ©Alan Burger
There have been 15-30 Black-billed Magpies foraging on the shoreline during my September visits. ©Alan Burger
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