Barbara Levy
Salt Spring Island, CA
Member since January 30, 2019
Most Viewed
Laughing Buddha Barred Owl
Waves of golden grass bejewelled with dew glistened as the mist rose off the waters at Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve here on Salt Spring Island, BC. There was a hush in the November air as my brother, Michael and I strolled along one of the perimeter paths, listening intently for bird calls. We were just about to head back home when we both noticed a large bird swoop up onto the branch of a nearby tree. At first, we thought it might have been a falcon or hawk, but then, we spotted him—a beautifully lit Barred Owl, who didn’t seem to mind us inching forward for a closer look. Our Owl seemed to be dreaming — with his Buddha-smile — as if he were embodying that serenity we felt in the reserve. It was a remarkable experience to watch him—the only owl I’ve ever seen on the island in broad daylight. Eventually, though, a raven caught our Owl’s attention and the sun moved behind the clouds so, it was time for us to say farewell.
Oystercatcher Catching my Eye
When we first felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic here on Salt Spring Island, I was so grateful to be living in a place surrounded by nature and so much wildlife. Soon, my refuge became the bay near our home where I could go and see so much bird life! One morning in late March, I strolled along the beach, marvelling at these swathes of blue sky reflected in the rippling water. It was heavenly! A pair of crows were calling back and forth while a tiny, bright yellow and black warbler combed the rocky shore for treats. And there were flocks of different ducks gliding by as the seagulls soared upwards to drop their clams. Then, suddenly, I heard the whistling notes of the oystercatcher mates, who swooped onto the islet where the crows and seagulls were feeding. I stood at a distance photographing this friendly pair for a quite some time as I love watching them. Finally, I thanked them and said I needed to head back home as my arm was getting tired. Just as I started to leave, the pair started whistling loudly and circled around me until they landed right in front of me, in perfect light. It was like a miracle! Well, I had to stay at least another half hour to catch this pair, who are so full of character —and who stayed so close. People started to arrive, but were very kind to stay at a distance while I crouched down near my oystercatcher friends. Wow! My heart was singing while I chatted to the mates! Finally, though, a couple had to pass by and so, the winged pair flew off. I am so grateful to have had this encounter and I love the way this bright-billed fellow seems to be smiling at me as he shows me his catch!
Breakfast Time for the Otter Family
Two years ago, I enjoyed keeping track of two different Northern River Otter families — one near Fernwood Dock, north of where I live on Salt Spring Island and one in Booth Bay near my home. I managed to photograph the Fernwood family over the winter at some distance and in very low light. And during the summer, I caught the Booth Bay family at sunset. But it wasn’t until October that I was able to capture this scene of three of the family members from the bay. I had strolled down to the beach on a beautiful, autumn morning and was walking along the rocky shore when I noticed two heads peeking up out of the water. There was a minus tide so the pair of pups I spotted were quite close and so, I hid behind a big boulder to watch them. Soon, they slid back into the water and for a while, I couldn’t see where they’d gone. I decided to sit on my boulder-hide and just wait while I soaked up that incredible sunshine and watched the ducks glide by. Then, I spotted three heads moving towards some partially submerged boulders further along the shore. I hurried a little with my big lens, but tried not to move too quickly. Finally, I stopped and watched in amazement as the Mama dragged a big flounder with her as she crawled up onto one of the “islets”, her two young ones joining her soon afterwards. I didn’t try to get too close as I knew from experience, the otters would swim away. The family let me stay and photograph them for a good 15 minutes before my heron buddy came swooping in to claim his perch. This was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had photographing the wonderful wildlife all around us. Thank you to that friendly otter family for letting me capture this portrait!
Our Happy Little Red Squirrel and his Corncob Pine Cone
This past October, just outside our door, I thought I heard a little Red squirrel making happy eating sounds — like squeak-barks — but couldn’t see anything. Still, I was really excited at the possibility of catching a glimpse of one of our native squirrels (who I’ve rarely seen over the past 20 years here on Salt Spring Island). A few days later, I heard knocking from high up in the trees which reminded me of our woodpeckers. When I went to investigate, I noticed pine cones dropping on our gravel driveway and when I looked up into our tallest fir, which is over 30 m high, there he was, the tiniest squirrel I’ve ever seen knocking those cones off the branches. It was an incredible sight! He was scurrying at lightning speed along the branches near the top of the tree and I managed to get some photos, but it wasn’t until December that I could capture him on the ground enjoying his pine cone, which he nibbled as if he were eating a cob of corn — it was delightful to watch! This little fellow is so brave and so fierce at defending his territory, especially when the flocks of birds come to forage in “his” tree. I hope he stays snug in his drey over the winter and safe from the owls, hawks and hungry predators who frequent the forest around our home. And I thank him so much for letting me watch as he goes about his daily business!
A Very Friendly Sapsucker!
Last Spring I had been looking forward to seeing our sapsuckers, who nest in an old maple grove in the south end of Salt Spring Island in Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park. However, due to the pandemic, I wasn’t able to visit this park in the Spring so, it was wonderful to have been visited by this friendly sapsucker this past January. We'd had so many cold, rainy days here on the island and so, my brother, Michael and I decided to visit one of our favourite apple orchards where birdsong fills the air year round and really helps to lift your spirits. I was standing in front of the old apple tree where I’ve had fun photographing hummingbirds, starlings, robins, chickadees and warblers when I heard an unfamiliar call higher up in one of the poplars. Suddenly, the sapsucker you see in my photo swooped down onto the apple tree right in front of me. I photographed him as he climbed around near the top of the tree and then, he swooped down again to land right behind me very low down on the trunk of a tree which was decorated with his evenly spaced “wells” (filled with sap). He then let me capture this striking portrait shot of him in perfect light!