I'm often surprised by the twists and turns the attack on western society takes. We just found out last night about a local battle...the battle to keep roosters.

It seems our local municipality has decided to kill the roosters on Saltspring Island, our sister island which is only ~1/2 hr ferry ride away.

These roosters are not wild, no! Saltspring is a quiet, rural island with many small farms. The CRD had decided to target these farms and backyard egg producers & breeders.

Roosters have many functions outside the obvious, (providing young chickens for generations to come). They also protect the hens from predators such as mink, raccoon and hawks, as well as, the hens are happier with a healthy male around, and fertilized eggs are high in omega-3, just to mention a few.

Thankfully one individual is having none of this cull, and will be facing the CRD in court (yes, I wrote that right...our local powers that be are taking a farmer to court for not handing over a healthy individual rooster for destruction),

There is a petition too. I found it easily by typing in 'Saltspring Island'/'Roosters' and 'CRD'. Hopefully neighbouring farms resist as well, for one can only wonder how long it will take for the attack to shift to our neighbour's farms on the peninsula and outlying Victoria areas such as Sooke.

Freedoms are eroding faster than we can keep track of. I do not usually post items with info such as this, but isn't it worth the fight...?

Keep your wits about you, post private property signs at the base of your, preferably gated, driveways, do not let officials onto the property, do not reach out to take any paperwork, and do not register your wells or anything else the powers that be want control of. ...for what you register, you no longer legally own. Here in Canada, if you resist registering, (your well for example), the 'Queen' still gives you the right to use it as you wish.

This is an older shot, taken on the same day as another rooster upload of mine. It can be found in the first comment box below if you wish to see another handsome fellow.

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Tags:   Portrait Rooster Sheri Rypstra Chicken

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I had the privilege of being invited on a hawk walk last year. This walk was on a private farm with a couple of falconers and their captive bred and raised, 5 year old, male Finnish Goshawk. Rem, was out for exercise and training.

On the walk, he is released. We walk a circuit and he follows. Half way through the walk, a baited lure is thrown to draw him in. In this shot, he has just landed after successfully capturing the lure.

Once he finished eating the attached morsel, he is launched again, and the return walk to the vehicles begins, where the lure with more food on it, brings him in a final time.

I was fascinated by his character and beauty, perhaps especially so, as this is a species that does not naturally occur here.

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.

Note: Although I love favs, I will typically respond only to those who leave a comment.

Tags:   Raptor Rem Finnish Goshawk Mantling Sheri Rypstra Falconry Hawk Walk

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Over Christmas break, I managed to prepare the next video: Tree Frogs on the Move: Hunting Mode. It can be viewed here if you wish to see it: youtu.be/qe4p895Fo4Q

The first time I watched these Pacific Tree Frogs, (Pseudacris regilla), they all seemed to be resting (for one hour). After taking many photos, early in the morning, I left briefly to warm up, never guessing the change that would occur while I was gone. Upon returning, ~1/3 had changed position or left. I determined to find out what was going on.

The next time I visited this prime location, I chose an ideal frog to watch, set up my gear and waited. I now have a new appreciation for these little hunters. Do not be deceived! Though they may indeed be resting, they are also in hunting mode.

The trick in recording the behaviour is seeing what will transpire before the frog does, in order to turn on the gear in time. The time delay makes it impossible to keep the gear running for hours, waiting for the moment when movement occurs. I missed many opportunities by not paying enough attention.

So this video amalgamation which has started a new series, contains tree frogs on the move. They are getting into position to wait, shifting position when they see potential prey, and finally, one action clip of a successful hunt.

The action in the last clip was so fast, it was impossible to see if he was successful in grabbing the bug, so I repeated the clip in slow motion. Now my gear is not the best for videos, so the images are somewhat blurred with the speed of the action. Therefore, I froze the last frame, in which the frog sits on the end of the reed where the bug had been located with an open mouth. Not the clearest frame, and I was dismayed to see that unless one's viewing screen is small , not really discernible.

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.

Note: Although I love favs, I will typically respond only to those who leave a comment.

Tags:   Sheri Rypstra Pacific Tree Frog Tree Frog Frog Reeds Pseudacris regilla Pond

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...Well, here is wishing you all a belated Happy New Year, at least!

I continue to be behind on a great many things, but couldn't resist popping in to try and get caught up on all your recent amazing shots.

This male, Belted Kingfisher was hunting in a snow storm, waiting patiently on an Oak Tree branch overhanging the bay on Resthaven Island.

The day was a bit too dark for my gear, so I attempted to turn this frame into an artsy rendition of him and the elements as perfect clarity is rather lacking. The dark grey, blotchy bokeh, is a patch of evergreens on Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island, where another small park exists.

He must have been hungry, for he allowed me to get quite close, which for this flighty species is truly a rare event indeed.

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Note: Although I love favs, I will typically respond only to those who leave a comment.

Tags:   Snow Storm Belted Kingfisher Sheri Rypstra Snow Storm Snowing

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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

...from the Rypstra family.

May your holidays be filled with joy, peace and good times with family and friends.

[These two bears have been getting into all kinds of trouble over the last few weeks, thanks in a large part to my two youngest sons.

Sometimes, such as in this frame, I would take their picture... Other times I would tell them to, "Get out of there...!!!" (When they were making a mess in the wrapping supplies on the dinning room table...spreading it to the floor).

Right now a third bear has joined them under the tree (Angel Bear), and they look like they are going to open the presents early for they just can't wait. So much for Angel Bear being a good influence on the other two... Time to take some more photos tonight! :)

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Note: Although I love favs, I will typically respond only to those who leave a comment.

Tags:   Teddy Bears Sheri Rypstra Christmas Christmas Tree The Night Before Christmas Book Lights High Key Christmas Ornaments Presents Card Christmas Card

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