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!
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!
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.
If you’ve ever woken up, looked in the mirror and thought…oh no, what’s next, then this post is for you!
At this point in life, I find that the signs of aging can be brutally unkind and although I tried to prepare for it, or to convince myself to simply accept it and carry on, sometimes, it just slaps me in the face.
And so it was when I created this “greeting” card. It reminds me that somedays things aren’t so sunny in Sequim after all, but that The Blue Hole is still up there; tomorrow will indeed be a better day…and, that I really need to dump that mirror!
