It is that time of year again. Spring is right around the corner.
The flowers and sun, the green grass, the warm breeze – we wait for this all winter long. But it is really when the birds start emerging that we get a sense that Spring is in the air.
Not long ago my husband took his camera, ventured out and began searching for some amazing Okanagan shots.
As he wandered about, the thing he noticed most was that the birds were out in full swing that day.
Now these birds were the large birds of prey, either basking in the sun or out on the prowl, but nonetheless he said it felt like Spring.
Birds of prey – eagles, osprey and owls – are among my favourite birds to watch.
Last fall, we visited Nakusp and on our travels, we came across some sand flats down by one section of the lake. There we witnessed a mass bird convergence of what appeared to be various eagles. There was at least a dozen or more of them of all sizes and colourings and they spent hours feeding on fish by the water, flying around, then back up to their trees and making the loop over again.
It was incredible to watch. I had never seen anything quite like it, but the best part was we didn’t need binoculars to enjoy the scene.
With other types of birds or environments, binoculars can be the way to go.
My mother-in-law’s favourite bird, the chickadee, is quite small, and unless they land right on her balcony she misses out without her binoculars.
On the topic of binoculars, the Okanagan Library has the perfect thing for all bird lovers this spring. We have put together a birding backpack kit, including binoculars, a book on common birds in B.C., another book on things with wings, and of course a backpack to get your adventures started.
Stop by next time you are down by the library and ask us about ordering a kit to get you going. If you are an avid birder or just enjoy the view from your backyard, the library also has lots of books to help you appreciate what you are seeing.
The Art of Bird Identification by Pete Dunne has some interesting tips. The Bird Watching Answer Book: Everything you need to know to enjoy birds in your backyard and beyond by Laura Erickson can help you out.
If you don’t necessarily have much interest in actual bird watching but enjoy birds, you could check out the documentary, Eagle Power, or watch the charming film, A Birder’s Guide to Everything starring Ben Kingsley.
The Okanagan is a beautiful place to live full of wonderful scenery and animals in abundance. Get out there this Spring, take in all the free fun that is right at your fingertips and enjoy the view.
Carly Tanasichuk is an assistant community librarian with the Summerland branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.
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