Spawned Out Crimson Wanderer

This is the time of year to be on the lookout for Crimson Wanderers as they make their way up the small creeks on Vancouver Island to spawn. It's a challenging time for female Wanderers: after the eggs are laid they spend their energy protecting the eggs, the males are off elsewhere gathered in small herds.

Sometimes the females don't survive the two weeks that it takes for the eggs to hatch into small aquatic nymphs. Such is the case with this female Crimson Wanderer that my wife Jocie discovered at the mouth of the Trent River south of Courtenay, British Columbia.

A Crimson Wanderer found on the Trent River estuary.

What appears to be a sad and tragic end to the life of this beautiful cart (and possibly its young) can also be seen as part of the circle of life. While this Wanderer wanders no more, its decaying body will continue to provide vital nutrients to other feral and wild carts.

Black Tiger-cart

Black Tiger-cart - digesting another
species of cart ... and possibly
a car transmission.

It's been a long time since I've been able to get out cart hunting (with my camera) but with the winter weather setting in on Vancouver Island, British Columbia I think that I might have a little more time to search out new species.

Last week I spotted this aggressive Black Tiger-cart near the popular Courtenay Airpark Lagoon walkway. Although normally rather timid around humans, these carts are active predators and often hunt in packs, separating the old and infirm carts from larger herds.

This Tiger-cart was alone and preoccupied with digesting its meal - in the basket you can see what remains of an unidentifiable cart and what looks to be an automobile transmission.

Field marks to look for - the sleek all black frame and medium sized basket (that is expandable to eat larger prey).

Field of Fear

A Common Blue Roller hunting
in an abandoned lot in
downtown Courtenay.

I spotted this Common Blue Roller in almost the same location where I saw one back in the fall of 2009, suggesting that for this species there may be some strong site fidelity.

Aggressive and unpredictable, these large predatory carts should be approached with caution. Given that there are plenty of outside cats in the neighbourhood it was likely stalking cats in this field.

One more reason to keep your pets inside.

Black Barred Camel-cart

I noticed this gorgeous Camel-cart crouched at the side of the road near the site of the future Ferguson Fields Farm Market in Courtenay, British Columbia.

A creature that prefers the quiet solitude of open fields, it seemed confused by the constant rushing traffic nearby on the Dyke Road. Another good argument for wildlife fencing along this stretch of the bypass.

Black Barred Camel-cart
near the Courtenay Estuary, BC.

This Black Barred Camel-cart must have been a recently arrived female as it was in fresh breeding colours. In the distance I could hear a male camel-cart thrashing through the new grass in an effort to entice it closer. I can only hope that it made its way from the danger of the nearby road to the safety of the fields.

Look for this delightful cart in any urban area bordered by farmland. Creatures of open spaces, their habitat is slowly being encroached upon by urban sprawl.

Green-throated Gray Wobbler

Green-throated Gray Wobbler

A gorgeous Green-throated Gray Wobbler in prime breeding colours seen in Courtenay, British Columbia, this week. More active after a sudden rainfall, this delightful cart is sure to bring a fresh smile to your face.

Listen for the melodious warble as this wild cart wanders its solitary way along the quiet roads of the suburbs and attempts to attract a mate. A sure sign that spring has finally arrived on the west coast!

Blue-banded Silver Spinner

The Blue-banded Silver Spinner - only the second
individual that I've seen in Courtenay, BC.

Blue-banded Silver Spinner - approach with caution. Back away slowly if charged. This cart is highly unpredictable, especially if backed into a corner. Read more about this intriguing predator.

Western Camel-cart

A shy and bashful looking Western Camel-cart.
Keep well clear of those front wheels!

I stumbled upon this beauty just a couple of blocks from my house on a quiet back alley in Courtenay, British Columbia - what a spectacular find!

Don't let the docile appearance and the demure tilt of the pale blue wheels of this wild cart fool you. Camel-carts are well know for their unpredictable and often aggressive behaviour. I gave this Western Camel-cart a wide berth, getting only close enough to take a few photographs before it got too surly.

Common Blue Rollers

A herd of Common Blue Rollers.

I first encountered this aggressive, introduced cart back in the fall of 2009. Know as an ambush predator, this herd (also know as a rollback) of Common Blue Rollers was remarkably calm - perhaps it was the poor weather that had driven them to seek shelter together.

You'll find Common Blue Rollers throughout North America - look for them lurking behind dumpsters and in ditches waiting for unsuspecting prey. Caution is advised when viewing them and approaching too closely is not recommended.

Detailed natural history accounts for species of other Vancouver Island carts can be found on my personal blog Island Nature.

Shy Blue Tipper

The Shy Blue Tipper
(defensive posture)

A new lifer for me today - the Shy Blue Tipper. When threatened, it positions itself basket down with wheels raised. The Tipper remains in this indelicate way until the predator, bored with the display, moves on.

Read more about the Shy Blue Tipper.