Birds – Sequim Daily Photo

The Dove Bar

Although mourning doves are quite common in our area, I found this particular one to be especially beautiful, and therefore my reason for sharing.

While perched on a tree limb (aka Dove Bar) in my backyard, this beauty and her mate chose to entertain us daily by cooing and coaxing us to add more seed to their feeder. But as time went by, our HOA requested we remove all feeders due to a rise in the rodent population, and the fear of bears. And although it was tough to accept, we complied and removed them.

Since then we now enjoy them and their gentle cooing whenever we walk at Carrie Blake or Pioneer Park, or on my computer.

However…the hummingbird feeders stay!

The Relationship Continues

After being so thrilled with their mates Valentines’ Day present, these two splashed about and thanked each other profusely, all to the delight of those of us with cameras and long lenses.

And fyi…here’s what www.AllAboutBirds.com has to say about these guys: ‘Trumpeter Swans form pair bonds when they are three or four years old. The pair stays together throughout the year, moving together in migratory populations. Trumpeters are assumed to mate for life, but some individuals do switch mates over their lifetimes. Some males that lost their mates did not mate again’.

Roses, chocolate, and a bottle of bubbly don’t mean a thing here though, and they’re certainly not a part of their recommended diet; and don’t count on bird seed, ‘Trumpeter Swans are mainly vegetarians, although they occasionally eat small fish and fish eggs….and, ‘To feed underwater they tip in the air like dabbling ducks, rooting beneath the surface to twist and pull up vegetation or freeing roots by paddling their feet in the mud.’

Happy Valentines’ Day

Sharing my photo of two love birds, aka trumpeter swans, swimming in the glow of autumn reflections at Kirner Pond.

I’ll be spending today paying more attention to my loved one, so I’ll make this short, but it comes with a wish for all of you to have a wonderful day spending it with yours.

Cheers!

Jamestown Beach Takeoff

On yet another sunny Sequim day, I found this local GBH (Great Blue Heron) ready to blast off into the wild blue yonder after fishing for breakfast on Jamestown Beach.

Their massive wings never cease to impress, and when you’re fortunate enough to encounter one, it’s difficult not to come home with a photo to capture the moment.

There are some really cool facts about them is on the www.allaboutbirds.com website, and this is one: ‘Great Blue Herons have specialized feathers on their chest that continually grow and fray. The herons comb this “powder down” with a fringed claw on their middle toes, using the down like a washcloth to remove fish slime and other oils from their feathers as they preen. Applying the powder to their underparts protects their feathers against the slime and oils of swamps.

Who knew???

Hummingbird Habitat Mystery

I’m not a fan of holly trees (other than their colorful berries) but this one served as a nice support for our hummingbirds over the past 6 years, and as a great spot for them to nest, regardless of their prickly leaves. Although the tree is in my neighbor’s backyard, I can reach it with my longest lens and get a nice portrait, as long as the bird cooperates.

But to my surprise, when I went to refresh my feeder the other day – the tree was gone – as if it had disappeared into thin air – and the bird, who dive-bombs me every time I fill the feeder was nowhere in sight.

As I found out later, my neighbor had the holly removed while we were out of town, without knowing its value from the hummer’s standpoint, and apparently not aware of it’s impact on my photography.

But the good news is, the hummer returned, I’m attempting to grow a new holly (in a pot that’s closer to my house), and I’m now getting to know the neighbor better – and he’s welcomed me to photograph his flowers.

Nest Watching

I love Sequim sunsets, especially when they’re silhouetted by an eagle’s nest as this one was.

Located on Towne Road, it’s set back a substantial distance, which makes it tough to get a good photo, even with a long lens. But therein lies the challenge not only for me, but for many other Sequim photographers.

From previous observation, our eagles begin mating in January, and since this nest was occupied last year, I’m suspecting that it will be again this year. So I’ve been watching daily for any nest building activity by the parents which in itself is entertaining, and if there’s a sunset to go with it, that’s even better.

John Wayne Marina

Stopping by JWM is another way to spend a foggy day, of which we seem to be having again.

And after being a boat owner for over 20 years, seeing sailboats anchored in the bay makes me nostalgic, although my husband and I owned a powerboats exclusively.

There’s something about being on or near the water that calls to my soul, but since then, I’ve only answered it from a kayak.

In the meantime, I take joy in seeing the boats, the reflections, and of course, the birds…my current passion.

And for those of you who are curious about the marina’s name, their website at https://portofpa.com/marine/john-wayne-marina/ states: ‘John Wayne Marina was constructed in 1985 on 22 acres of land donated by the John Wayne family. John Wayne frequented Sequim Bay waters aboard the family yacht (the “Wild Goose”) and envisioned a marina in the scenic bay prior to his death. Eventually, this vision became reality under the ownership and auspices of the Port of Port Angeles.’