. . . it’s a Seattle thing. First alert — a look overhead and warning calls: American Wigeon first responders leave lone Eurasian Wigeon to contemplate his next move: And he’s off: Safety in numbers: The instigator comes into view: The juvenile Bald Eagle shows little interest in the ducks, catches the thermals, and whirls…
Wigeon Report
I went to the local duck pond to follow up on the American Wigeon flock that took residence there in the late fall. The one Eurasian Wigeon in the flock is still among them . . . I’m not sure if he has a mate. There were several obvious couplings in the group, with pairs…
Flight of the Snow Geese
Snow Goose – Chen caerulescens Hugh and I waited until the end of duck hunting season to drive into Skagit Valley’s Fir Island. We were hoping to find one of the massive flocks of Snow Geese who winter around the island after a long migration south. When hunting season ends in late January, there’s a…
In the Reed Dome
I saw this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), submerged to the top of its legs, an immersion I haven’t seen often among herons and egrets. Shortly after I snapped the photo, an unlucky fish made a splash in the cattails, and the heron whipped around and disappeared into the camo of the reeds.
Great Blue, Great Light
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) in Seattle, Washington. I shot these photos today at our community beach and mini wildlife enclave. We’ve seen this heron on multiple occasions, fishing in the creek, foraging through the cattails in the duck pond, perched in the perimeter of Madrone trees. But this is the first time the heron…
Watch for Towhees, Flying Low
Spotted Towhees were the elusive ground foragers I never saw enough of in the Bay Area. I’d catch a glimpse as they scuttled under the scrub. Or, occasionally, snapped a photo of one heralding the morning light in the thickets of Tilden Park. My best Spotted Towhee sighting was the trusting bird who let me…
Gull of the Revolution
Shot at the Seattle waterfront, framed by steam from Seattle Steam. Converted to B&W/sepia in Nik’s Silver Efex Pro.
A Bird Called Hummingway
He was christened Mr. Hummingway by a dear friend who likes birds but is ambivalent about interaction with birds. She had formative experiences that made her view birds as flapping missiles who get tangled in your hair, dive bomb you, or suddenly ditch into the open window of your moving car on a freeway. Those…
Mainmastmen
Double-crested Cormorants, with their totipalmate feet, gripping the ropes of a mast at Lake Union’s Center for Wooden Boats.
Pelecanus Occidentalis Californicus
There’s a federal band (steel) on the right leg of the Brown Pelican in the first shot, but I didn’t see it until I off-loaded my photos. Zooming in, I can’t read any numbers from the shots I took. The blue bands are easier to spot, and were created precisely for that reason: to make…