Overlooked Photos of 2020 #14: Trying in its way to be free?

Photo taken in Oliver, BC — May 16, 2020

This little Song Sparrow had the best seat in the house and seemed adept at avoiding the pointy bits. Perched on barbed wire beside the Okanagan River it paid little attention to passing walkers in favour of small insects and seeds on the ground below.

* Why I didn’t post it: Song Sparrows are the most common bird in North America. Despite that, I quite like them for their quirky personalities. And they must be constantly stressed: I have never seen a Song Sparrow sit still for more than a few seconds…and in that time their heads never stop swivelling this way and that, constantly attuned to threats and danger. It must be exhausting.

* I took a lot of photos in 2020, more than in any previous year. Some I shared, but looking back I’ve found many I didn’t. Maybe I thought they weren’t good enough, maybe I had something else to post or maybe…I just plain forgot. As the year winds down I’m rectifying those oversights and posting some photos I overlooked earlier in 2020.

Overlooked Photos of 2020 #13: Trophy Turtle

Photo taken in Oliver, BC — May 16, 2020

Turtles love to bask in the sun. And to get the sun they’ll climb on almost anything: logs, rocks, other turtles…whatever works. This lovely specimen of Western Painted Turtle was all alone in a big pond with one stump protruding…and of course it decided that was the best place to bask.

* Why I didn’t post it: I’ve posted a lot of turtle photos over the years. Last year I even declared a Turtle Week and posted photos of turtles for a full week. I don’t regret doing so. And I don’t regret finally posting this image. Was I right to?

* I took a lot of photos in 2020, more than in any previous year. Some I shared, but looking back I’ve found many I didn’t. Maybe I thought they weren’t good enough, maybe I had something else to post or maybe…I just plain forgot. As the year winds down I’m rectifying those oversights and posting some photos I overlooked earlier in 2020.

Overlooked Photos of 2020 #12: Follow That Killdeer!

Photo taken in the White Lake Grasslands Protected Area, BC — May 10, 2020

We were obviously a threat to the Killdeer, even though we remained a respectful distance away. Nonetheless, the bird performed its broken wing display, designed to draw predators away from its young. It flapped up the trail for a few feet, looked back to see if we were following, then flapped a few more feet. We dutifully followed, fascinated by this curious display and the graceful little bird. When we were at least 50 feet from the shore, the Killdeer took flight, heading back to the water’s edge.

* Why I didn’t post it: No idea. The Killdeer was no doubt disappointed not to see its photo on Instagram in the days following our visit. Consider this my attempt to correct my oversight…and apologies to the Killdeer.

* I took a lot of photos in 2020, more than in any previous year. Some I shared, but looking back I’ve found many I didn’t. Maybe I thought they weren’t good enough, maybe I had something else to post or maybe…I just plain forgot. As the year winds down I’m rectifying those oversights and posting some photos I overlooked earlier in 2020.