Wildlife Wednesday at The Dungeness Landing County Park

WARNING! Bird photography can be addictive but also challenging.

My addiction started while peering out the window eyeballing hummingbirds on a feeder everyday. It then progressed to herons, then eagles…and from there, there was no stopping me.

The www.wildlife informer.com states, ‘The Washington Fish & Wildlife Office estimates that up to 80% of the eagles found in the state during the mid-winter months are migrants with the largest winter concentrations occur in the lower Columbia River, Skagit River, Nooksack River, and Banks Lake.’ But from my observation, Sequim has one the largest numbers in the state (I once photographed 30 of them at the Landing). ‘As for the total population of breeding pairs, the WFWO states there are about 900 current nest sites.’ I’ve personally located over 6 active ones in our area.

So with that said, the Landing is another spot on my typical 25 miles daily drive through Sequim and the surrounding area watching for birds. This particular day, I was blessed with the graces of a baldy transporting a fish to the treetops and was able to capture this image.

So if you too are up for a challenge…consider donning a pair of binoculars, or grabbing a camera. Just beware, you may not be able to escape the addiction!

By special request…

A neighbor on NextDoor asked if I’d post this image of a cow elk wearing a tracker, and I’m happy to oblige.

Trackers are used to stop traffic on Hwy. 101 and to allow the herd to safely cross. Note that one ear also has a tag. Otherwise, her tracker serves as an attractive conversation starter, if nothing else. I’ve googled for more info but wasn’t able to TRACK down the reason for the tag.

If any of you have witnessed a crossing, please comment!

Double Rainbow at 3 Crabs Beach

What better way to start a new week than with a rainbow!

Somehow rainbows seem to signal new beginnings and although I captured this one several years ago, I think it’s rather appropriate now. It signals a fresh start not only for the new week, but a new year, and a new focus.

What I love most about Sequim…

Although not always picturesque or pretty, the beach at 3 Crabs Road and the Nearshore and Estuarine Restoration Project are the biggest draw for me.

Here I’ve photographed a variety of shorebirds, raptors (Northern Harriers, eagles, herons, etc.) and delighted in the forces of nature as they transform the area into a glow of color to delight the eyes.

Let me introduce myself…

Hi gang! I’m Peg Hanson, your new Sequim Daily Photo photographer and digital artist.

I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Colleen several years ago through the Olympic Peaks Camera Club and she’s a hard act to follow here, just as she was with the camera club. I want to thank her kindly for handing over the reigns and getting me started on this exciting journey!

Although I’ve accepted the challenge of taking over the site (not without some mentoring, of course) I hope you’ll welcome me as warmly as you did Colleen and that you’ll continue to share your comments and inspirations along the way.

It’s my goal to get to know all of you, to learn from you, to expand the readership and, of course, to showcase Sequim, the Peninsula, and other travel destinations through my labors of love – photography and art.

The Sequim Granary Building, downtown Sequim.
For information, see https://www.facebook.com/thesequimgranary