Category: Birds

Nature Calls!

Southern Lapwings prior to Mating

During Bird Fest, and only during the festival, Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary in Port Angeles is a great spot to see and photograph birds, and to observe birding behavior.

Therefore, it’s not uncommon to witness birds doing what birds do…along with bees. Given that, these striking South American lapwings were not shy and took the opportunity to answer nature’s call and JUST DO IT! so to speak…

So when you think you’ve seen it all, just remember that Mother Nature is here to prove you wrong, and often to make you laugh.

Olympic Bird Fest is On!

A Female Spectacled Eider Preening at Drycreek Waterfowl Sanctuary

If you’re “into” birding or bird photography, then undoubtedly you’ve been anxiously awaiting the return of Olympic Bird Fest, which starts today and continues through Sunday. And to celebrate, I’ll be posting photos of birds all this week including more from this wonderful Port Angeles sanctuary.

Having attended festivals in other parts of the country and in a variety of classes and outings offered by Olympic Audubon Society, I found ours to be not only educational, enlightening, but one of the best in the country.

If you’re not currently a birder and just looking for a new challenge, or something fun to do this weekend, check out their website as there are still openings in some of the events, and be sure to get your raffle ticket for a ~$1500 spotting scope – a great way to start your birding adventure!

Granny’s Emu

A Baby Emu at Granny’s Cafe

Although certainly not the best bird photo I’ve captured, I couldn’t resist getting a shot of this adorable creature outside of Granny’s Cafe off Hwy 101 in Port Angeles last weekend.

After indulging in a soft swirl ice cream cone, I found myself outside having to use the facilities located behind the building, and while there I noticed two young girls cooing at “something” through the window of another concrete building…so my curiosity got the best of me, and I asked what it might be.

To my surprise, it was this baby emu. He/she was all alone but was being kept warm by an amber heat lamp and a stove in the corner. I can only guess at its age, but apparently, it must not have been far from newborn status, and I could only hope it would live a good long life. And like the Liberty Insurance TV commercial, one never knows, it may be famous one day!

So if you’re in Port Angeles, I not only recommend stopping by to see it for yourselves, but to indulge in at least one their ice cream cones too!

Merganser Mama

Salt Creek Recreation Area, Pt. Angeles

Although considered “common” mergansers, in my book, this gal was anything but common, at least not in my world.

Aside from her beautiful head of feathers, she was extraordinary in that she was able to keep track of her seven offspring even as they darted in and out of the reeds surrounding the water, all the while evading me as I ran to keep up.

If you haven’t visited Salt Creek Recreation Area, a Clallam County Park, or stayed at the campground, I highly recommend it, and I know you wouldn’t be disappointed.

Aside from the beaches, sea stacks and tide pools, the wildlife is delightful and includes not only mergansers, but otters, eagles, hermit crabs and more.

And then there are the surfers. Suited up in dry suits, they’re amazing to watch as they sit for what seems like hours to catch the big ones; launch themselves on their boards and take off, all without seeming to mind the cold temperatures.

Aside from all this…it’s a fabulous spot to take family, friends and out of town visitors when you really want to show off the beauty of the peninsula.

On the Watch

A Juvenile Sharp-Shinned Hawk

During the height of the pandemic, I found myself indulging in bird photography more than ever.

During that time I had an unexpected close encounter with this beautiful juvenile sharp-shinned hawk perched atop a tree located on the Dungeness levee trail, prior to the river rerouting.

As I kept my focus on her, she scanned back and forth over the field below her, as I held my breath and somehow, she failed to see or hear me approach.

And though it wasn’t pleasant to witness the end results of her hunting behavior, watching the process was truly incredible, and within minutes I was doing just that.

Sensing movement in the field below her, her eyes immediately locked on a target as if guided by radar, then instantly, she took off, swept down, flipped her prey in the air, and landed her meal of the day…all within seconds.

And I congratulated her; I’m sure she’ll be feeding her young the same way someday.

Attitude is Everything

One step closer and I’ll dive-bomb you!

While I really don’t want to make this a blog all about birds, as I’ve mentioned before, birds are truly my favorite subjects to photograph and they constitute my largest collection of photos, many of which were captured here in Sequim.

This one is an adult male Rufous Hummingbird, and as you may be able to tell, he was a bit perturbed by my presence and apparently questioned my motives while I was pointing a camera in his face. But Rufous Hummingbirds are notoriously territorial and may drive off other species of hummers as well as persistent photographers.

And like most males of his species, he’s high energy and ready for confrontation at the drop of a hat; and as I’m sure he was either protecting his nest, or food source, I got out of there promptly, but not without grabbing this shot and a few others.

If you’re walking the main trail at the Dungeness Refuge, you may see him too. But keep it in mind, we’re on his migration route and since he’s only a visitor he’ll likely move on after just a week or two. So watch (and listen) for him on the south side of the first trail off of Voice of America Road, before the trees and before you begin your ascent up the hill – but beware, he means business!

More Nest Watching

With the onset of spring, eagle and heron nests in Sequim are the most noticeable to find, as long as you know where to look. But searching for hummingbird nests is another story…you can search forever it seems and completely overlook them although they’re right before your eyes. Therefore, it can be rather discouraging.

But that’s when likeminded friends become your greatest allies. And that’s why I was so thrilled and appreciative when a newfound friend approached me and asked if I’d be interested in photographing a nest she found in her tree.

It didn’t take long before I showed up in her driveway with my collection of lenses. And to my surprise, the nest was in close enough range to allow for an intimate portrait of these two siblings, who I can only hope will survive, thrive, and call Sequim their home for many years to come, just like many of us.