Port Orchard, July 3rd 2011

Another dawn and another trek around the neighborhood. A lot of Song Sparrows were flitting about and I even spotted a couple of juveniles.



Nearby, I noticed a nest hanging in the branches. I have been unable to figure out what species it belongs to. Anyone?



I saw a couple of small birds taking off across the street and went over to investigate. A neighbor was tending the yard and her dog ran over to play with me. I hoped it would scare off the birds but it stayed right next to me as I looked for them and got a couple shots. They were nice adult Dark-eyed Juncos of the Oregon sub-species.



Last night I heard a strange song as we returned to the house. It took me all night to get the sound sorted out. It was an American Robin! When they come to Florida in the Winter they do not sing, they only make flight calls. Nice to actually hear their full voice. Many of them were feeding today including this one with the iconic pose with a tasty worm in its bill.



My main objective was to get up to the small park down the road to see what might be there. Hadn't been there in ages. I was detoured by some other birds but that will be the next post. When I got to the park (smaller than I remembered) there were loads of birds flying near the ground. In the low light I couldn't tell exactly what they were.



I tried to make them something new but all I can conclude is that they were a flock of juvenile Dark-eyed Juncos. Juncos are the only birds with white outer tail feathers that I can find and the good folks at Tweeters birding forum confirm it.



Back at the house, Spotted Towhees were creeping through the shadows.



The males were zipping by all over the place, calling and feeding. This female stayed in place and preened for a while as I tried to get a good shot. It was so dark under the trees that this was the best I could do.



Time to put the camera down for a few minutes but not before I took this shot of a small yellow flower in the neighborhood. Still trying to find out what it is.



I love this part of the country. Finding the birds in the dense canopy is a challenge but that is part of the fun. Now we have to head off to Bainbridge Island for the family reunion.

Skagway

Day 4 takes us into port at Skagway, a town 5 blocks wide and 22 long, which was the next step in the long, dangerous trip toward the Yukon where gold-hungry would-be rich would unload their supplies before heading up into the mountains.



We arrived under cloudy skies and a light rain, but that would later clear up before we disembarked for our excursions. The cliffside of the harbor is covered with company logos and messages from previous cruise lines.



Even in this far-flung place, we cannot escape The Mouse!



I could see Arctic Terns by the airport but there was another tern right outside the boat that appeared smaller. More like a Least Tern. But they don't come this far North, do they?



But, after seeing this photo, I guess I have to stick with a small Arctic Tern. No other tern has that distinctive all-red bill. The bird was busy picking small crabs from the rocks instead of diving for fish.



Looking to the left of the tern you can see Skagway and the trains that would take us on trips into White Pass.



A wide angle shot of the Zuiderdam. I high-lighted our room up on the 6th promenade which provided us with great scenery look-outs all trip long. A HUGE thanks to the generosity of my in-laws for a fabulous trip!!!



We had a little time for browsing in town before our excursion. In the little park next to the trains were Stellar's Jay, Ravens, Violet-green Swallows and this accommodating Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon sub-species). This was with the short lens! Let me get right up close.



We hopped aboard the train and headed toward White Pass. Snaking down into the valley was a huge waterfall. The shear walls and evergreens were gorgeous.



The steep climb quickly takes us up the pass. This view shows some trestles where we will be shortly.



As we near the Canadian border the view changes to a more bleak landscape but just as beautiful as the greenery below.



The train stops in Fraser, British Columbia. We have to wait for Customs Officials to menace us for a few minutes but I am staring at the birds flying near the lake. We are suppose to jump right onto the bus back to Skagway but I have to try and ID them. A flock of Pine Siskin are there but something else flies closer. Turns out to be just a Chipping Sparrow.



Then back on the bus. The steep decent back to town is rather uneventful. A cool bridge, the railway across the gorge, another trip through customs. Then we near town and the driver spots it. A Vampire Bear! Well, really just a Black Bear eating Dandelions, but cool. Black Bear live all around us in Florida but this is the first sighting I have ever had.



After stopping for a little faux mining town and seeing a fun show, we pan for a few flakes of gold and head back to the ship. Not a lot of wildlife but good enough. Landscapes galore. This is not a landscape blog, though. Tomorrow should prove eventful. Glacier Bay!