Short Bird Day

very blurry snowy owl
 

I had to get out this weekend so I spent a little time on Eide Rd., Thomle Rd., and Boe Rd. around Stanwood looking for critters and practicing some more with my big lens. Snowy owls need to be closer for a decent photo with my 500mm lens. It was great to see them, though. I saw 3 or 4 just hanging out which they seem to do a lot- sit and watch. These were all  perched on the ground. Often they sit on buildings, fenceposts, large pieces of driftwood, farm equipment, and sometimes trees. Generally, these perches are in open areas- mudflats, pastures, etc. Being birds of the arctic it makes sense. Great birds. It's always a gift when the juveniles move down here every few years to spend the winter with us.

 



dunlin roosting in plowed field



 Along Boe Rd. I saw a bunch of little light spots running all over a plowed field. There were taller birds with them. The predictable dunlin and black-bellied plovers were taking advantage of the dirt field feeding on invertebrates of all sorts. They flew up with the large flock of red-winged blackbirds, never tightening into the tight twisting flash when being hunted by a merlin. Falcons are around but I wasn't there long enough to see any. My experience over the years I have almost always seen black-bellied plovers hanging around the larger flocks of dunlin. Unfortunately, I didn't think to look through the flock for the wayward golden plover. Next time.

killdeer and black-bellied plover hanging together

Towards the end of my short adventure I found a bunch of killdeer just sitting in the field together looking around and not doing anything. I found the above two birds sitting together at the end of the field. It was later in the day so I guess they were roosting together. I haven't seen killdeer and plovers hanging out so this was a new encounter and they posed for me! All in all a decent couple of hours even if I didn't get the big list of raptors folks have been seeing out here. Next adventure Harrison River for the thousands of bald eagles!

A day birding the Flats

My first day out birding the Skagit and Samish Flats this Autumn. It was a perfect day for wandering around and looking for raptors- extremely cold and crystal clear skies. It also gave me a chance to practice with my long lens.The biting wind penetrated my clothes and stiffened my hands.  Guess I've been lulled by the warmer than usual temperatures we've had lately. I found swans, snow geese, red-tailed hawks, lots of rough-legged hawks and northern harriers, bald eagles, plenty of great blue herons, a huge flock of dunlin with the requisite black-bellied plovers and northern shrikes. No falcons or short-eared owls this trip.

I spent much of my time at the West 90 on the Samish Flats. This area is well known for the abundance of raptors because of the abundance of voles. I was not disappointed. The northern harriers and rough-legged hawks were numerous and active all around the parking area.

rough-legged hawk just before diving to catch prey

I found it very challenging to follow them with my camera on the tripod. At one point a rough-legged was directly above me, hovering and looking straight down at me. It was a magical moment to be so close and meet glances with this arctic raptor.

rough-legged hawk diving

Both the rough-leggeds and harriers followed the same hunting path making them predictable enough to follow with the camera.  I'm happy for digital cameras as I took a bajillion photos with only a couple that are marginally good. I also discovered my lens needs cleaning. Sheesh! A fellow photographer and birder graciously gave me a few tips on setting up my camera. I need more practice....

dunlin Samish Flats


There was a large flock of dunlin to the north flying tightly together back and forth, turning white then black as they dodged some unseen threat. I had hoped for a falcon with no luck, although I wasn't working hard to find them. Next trip out will be more focused on the birds and not worrying about grocery shopping...

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns."
Georg Eliot

Weasel Wonder



Looking back at spatter cones



Back in June on my big 2 week trip, I stayed a night at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. An extremely unique geological area that also holds wildlife surprises. After dinner that night I decided to drive the loop and see what this place is all about. I stopped at the overlooks and wandered along the short trails. At the spatter cones walk  I  decide not to grab my 300mm camera lens for such a short walk, leaving me with just a portrait lens on my Canon. Big mistake! First I find myself above a perfectly sunlit perched violet green swallow- too far for the regular lens. I was happy for the view and let the bright green fellow know of my gratitude for the moment.

 

 

Then it was on to the other short walk to the second cone. As I walked on the boardwalk beside the cone I caught movement in my peripheral vision. A young weasel had popped its head out from among the basalt rocks. It was quite a surprise!  I watched it as it ducked flies and checked me out. The youngster was sooo curious. I sat down and talked softly as it edged closer. I decided to take a chance and run back to the truck to get my longer lens. Good call! That little guy was still in the pile of rocks when I returned. Sitting and watching, taking photos, and just being in the moment allowed me to embrace the beauty of this unique animal.

 

 Eventually, he moved on to other piles of volcanic rocks and I followed along, staying on the boardwalk. He cintinued hunting for pikas and other small animals and moved out of sight. In the meantime, I now understand the meaning of pop goes the weasel!

During this adventure, I took quite a few photos, still making sure to stop and enjoy the moment. The gratitude for these magical moments will live on in my soul for a lifetime. May you find the same type of simple adventures in your days.