While photographing hummingbirds and songbirds at a friend’s house here in Sequim, I was told that planting Catmint is one of the best ways to attract these beauties. So if you hope to bring them to your backyard, consider adding this plant to your landscape.
And although I recently added Catmint, and planted any number of other flowering plants in an effort to increase my chances of attracting them, I find they’re more interested in my feeders than anything else.
So given that, I bring in my feeders when the plants are in bloom. That forces the hummers to look elsewhere and it helps increase the likelihood of me getting to photograph them on something other than a feeder.
And if you have a good way to attract them and you’re willing to share, please let us all know by making a comment.
A Roadside Farm Field with the Olympics / Hurricane Ridge in the Distance
As residents of this incredible community, we’re blessed to have views that most Washingtonians and many others can only dream about.
And on this particular day, I found this farm field off of Old Olympic Highway to evoke nothing but quintessential Sequim. Although dark clouds may cover the landscapes, we have the “blue hole” to focus on, and May flowers on the horizon as well.
The National Park System website is one of the best place to find information on where and when to see leaping salmon and steelhead trout near us, that is, if you’d rather not see one leaping off your plate…
And while the walk to the falls is relaxing, serene, and beautiful, many locals consider the runs to be not only photo-worthy but fascinating as well as invigorating.
And if you like to fish, you may be tempted to throw in a line, or to take one home if it lands in your lap, but beware, you may have to answer to the authorities. So be sure to check the website first, and BE CAREFUL viewing the fish, those rocks are VERY slippery!
A Smew Relaxing a Pond, Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary
With the unusual name of smew, this diving duck stands out a bit from crowd in not only name but appearance. Its striking features are eye-catching and because it’s often found in the collections of European waterfowl collections, I’m assuming it’s coveted by many, as well as me.
Unfortunatley, if you missed seeing one at the festival, you’ll have to wait until next year for another chance. Because of the sensitive nature of the birds and the work involved in hosting the public, the waterfowl sanctuary is only open to visitors during Olympic Bird Fest, and only on specific days and at specific times.
So put it on your calendar for April 2026 and be sure to sign up via the website well in advance.
Given that we have our fair share of rain here on the peninsula, it wasn’t surprising that on this particular day, we had a downpour. And although I covered up and tried to avoid getting drenched, this King Eider seems to relish in it.
Like many others in our area, this was the first time I’d seen or photographed this species, and I was surprised by its unusual features and colors. Considering it survives in the arctic, it seems well equipped to tolerate its environment and undoubtedly considers a little rain to be a comfort.
And to quote the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on the All About Birds website, “Among the waterfowl of the world, none is more ornately adorned than the male King Eider, its black-and-white plumage accented by a red-and-orange bill, pearl-blue crown, and spring-green cheek. Females are a rich marbling of rusty brown and black. King Eiders nest in tundra of the far north and winter largely at the edge of sea ice, foraging on shellfish.”
The festival website explains that this fabulous sanctuary is “Owned and managed by Arnold and Debbie Schouten since 1980, Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary has many unique waterfowl and shorebird species. It is a private collection and wildlife sanctuary near Port Angeles, Washington. Dry Creek Waterfowl Sanctuary raises 14 species of waterfowl commonly known as sea ducks, all of which are rarely seen up close in the wild. Sea ducks spend most of their lives in salt water, coming to fresh water only during the breeding season. The sea duck group includes some of the most spectacular and highly specialized waterfowl such as Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, Scoters, Eiders, Mergansers and Goldeneyes”.
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.
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!
