patrick

I went for a short trip to Coal lake to capture this pair of Red-Necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena).

The couple seem to have a bit of a domestic dispute...

Here the male (at least I think it's the male) is working on improving the nest. Can you see the egg?

The egg is now almost completely hidden from my view

He looks quite happy with his handy work

This little guy was curious as to who I was

Thanks

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

Fox puppies

Canada Goose

Female Red Winged Blackbird

Spotted Sandpiper

I am not sure what this guy is, a Sharp-shinned Hawk?

Various photos from the past couple of weeks.

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Beaver

Red-Necked Grebe(Podiceps grisegena)

Canada Goose

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus)

Broad-Winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)

Black-Capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Well, it's spring time (even if it does not appear to be today...) and I took some pictures on the weekend.

Here is a Redwinged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). The females just arrived and the males are protecting their territories.

Nymphalis antiopa, apparently born last year.

A couple of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus)

American Coot (Fulica americana)

This was a surprise, Sora (Porzana carolina)

North American Beaver (Castor canadensis)

Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

And a few general shots of the tank.

Boom :boom:

Looking great :thumbs:

Great looking fish. So when you say the strains are from a certain location does that mean they aren't naturally occuring or just where they were bred?

With vic's it is extra useful to know as many details about their origin as possible since they are rarely imported, and often crossbred. This strain of P. azurea was collected at Ruti Island in Lake Victoria I believe 3 generations ago and have been kept at the University of Hull for research purposes. The A. alluaudi has been kept at University of Leiden for the very same reason, but I am not sure where in the lake they were originally collected.

It's been a while since I posted any pictures of Vic's. The first one is a male Pundamilia azurea from Ruti Island, the strain is from University of Hull. It's hard to see in the picture but the fins are white tipped.

The second is a male Astatoreochromis alluaudi, strain from University of Leiden.

I use a black garden rubber hose for my water changes. It's a bit more expensive but it will not fold, which is nice. I always drain the hose after each use, and always run water through it before I use it, just to be safe.

Thanks guys Sheena is a Standard Schnauzer, and she wanted to play with the porcupine... even though when she sniffed on a spot where there had been a roadkill once, and got a couple of needles in her lip lol, and now she wanted to play with a live one. Not too bright. I wonder if this is the same guy that ate my apple tree last year... :mad:

No need to e-mail the list of items prior to auction anymore?

Yes, you still need to email Michael Pham, letting him know how many lots you will be bringing, and it's supposed to be 2 weeks before the auction - if you just try to drop off, there may not be enough space due to the 500 lot limit.

ops....

There is still time. I emailed him yesterday for mine :smokey: Its just a first come, first serve basis. So its best not to wait until the last minute.

I sent Michael an e-mail. I'll be there when the doors open lol

No need to e-mail the list of items prior to auction anymore?

Yes, you still need to email Michael Pham, letting him know how many lots you will be bringing, and it's supposed to be 2 weeks before the auction - if you just try to drop off, there may not be enough space due to the 500 lot limit.

ops....

I have seen them many times, as roadkill, or at night in the yard, but never close up in daylight. When I took Sheena out for a walk this morning I ran into this guy. I went home to get the camera and he was still there when I came back. This guy was really big.

No need to e-mail the list of items prior to auction anymore?

Just stop by Totem before you go into Nature's and grab some free popcorn!

Ewww I wouldn't eat that if I were you.

Why? I always eat totem popcorn.

Me too... and I like them

I want to order a fish from the U.S. and the business said they could ship it with a certificate for $175 if I need one or they can ship without certificates. They said it was my decision! I am assuming they are talking about fish and wild life as that was one of the questions I asked them. So what do they mean in their reply? Can I have it shipped without a certificate?

You do not need a health certificate for ornamental fish (fish that is not meant for human consumption).

It is difficult to say what it can be. I have had a few occasions with similar symptoms but I can not recall it ever occuring with ruby greens. Sometimes they pull through and sometimes not. I have never noticed any spreading to other individuals. Does she look stressed? Is she being picked on by the other fish? If you have an extra tank I suggest removing her and observe for a couple of days to see if she gets better. I find that many times a sick fish do not require any medication, just peace and quiet. If not then you can try with a doze Metronidazole. Keep the lights off and give her a nice place to hide.

I went to Coal lake this morning to take some pictures of the pelican's. This is from the north end of the lake. There was approximately 40-50 of them there, many of them were young ones.

and this muskrat was pretty curious about me

This is one of the species I imported in May. They were only 1/2 inch when I got them but now they are between 1.5-1.75 inches. This is one of the non-haplochromines from the Victoria basin. It's a very versatile species that can be kept with pretty much anything, and wont hybridize. Adult males are very nice with yellow body and reddish fins. They grow to sizes between 6-8 inches and should not be kept in tanks smaller than 90 gallons. This strain is from University of Leiden.

Here are a couple of pics of the juvies.

This is how they will look as adults. This male is 6" and 2 years old.

© Albin Ekenberg

I have a 4" mbuna that my cousin in Montreal really wants. Can anyone let me know what would be involved in shipping it to her?

Air is going to be too expensive for just one fish, so go with Canada Post Xpresspost. It's pretty safe this time of the year when you don't have to worry about cold weather. If you drop the box off in the morning it usually arrives the next day. You can fill the bag with pure oxygen to be safe (in case it takes 2 days).

Great shots Chris, and some good looking kribs as well

I am really sorry to hear that I hope that things will turn around for you now when you have reached the low bottom.

Welcome to the forum Jay

We got tons of these. A couple of months back we switched to feeding them exclusively with NLS. The water is pretty "green" right now so I could only get good shots of the ones really close to the glass.

very nice, what type of lense are you using patrick?

Thanks I was using a Canon 55-250 IS lens.