Washington D.C. Birds

Back from our trip to Washington D.C. where we had a great time, even in the cold temperatures and the first measurable snow they have had in over 2 years. We got to as many sights as possible in 5 days. Our hotel was a few blocks from the Capitol building and we walked all over the place.



I had to restrain myself from actually 'birding' and enjoy the family and the sites. I haven't been back here since the Bicentennial year. We wanted to get the boys here before they got too old and off to college or elsewhere. But not having my binoculars for nearly a week was causing an itch in my brain a lot. Birding was on the back burner. But, it is something I do. Even while driving, sitting at work, walking into a store, anytime I can see or be outside. So, I did get some birds among the 1,600 photos I took.

One bird you can't miss is the American Robin. Whether they live here or are just returning, they were scattered all over the Mall, either on the grasses or laughing from the trees.



I was really interested that there were several birds that were banded! I think I saw 5 or 6 birds with multiple color bands.



The other birds you can't miss are House Sparrows (I even saw a few of those banded) as they chase one another through the hedges and leafless trees.



As we walked from the Jefferson Memorial across the inlet to the Tidal Basin I noticed a bird down below. We have Horned Grebes in Florida in the Winter but it is nice to add them to this list.



From the bridge, I could see another grebe off in the distance but is was close to the path heading to the other memorials. I hurried down and got a close view. Wow. A Horned Grebe transitioning into the next molt! We don't get that in Florida.



A small flock of Canada Geese flew over us but I barely got them in the frame. Later, we saw a couple from the tour bus.



We wandered through the FDR memorial next. It was much bigger than I thought it was. Most of the way through, there was a nice clump of trees toward the water and birds started calling all over. I wandered over, being tempted by an Eastern Phoebe.



Pulling me closer to the trees was a Song Sparrow that landed off to my right. Another nice find.



A bird began calling from the branches and I got even closer. A small figure was fluttering and gleaning insects. I was very surprised to see a Golden-crowned Kinglet in front of me! We hardly ever get them in Central Florida.



It was difficult to get a shot through the holly leaves but exhilarating.



Heading toward the Korean Memorial we noticed a shadow speed past us. It quickly emerged from the tree, swooped over the grass and landed in a tree up ahead. This Cooper's Hawk made an easy target as it sat a few yards off of the crowded sidewalk.



We made our way toward the Lincoln Memorial and I noticed a bunch of small birds hopping around on the grass. Dozens of them were advancing across the area and I finally got myself into a good poition to figure out what they were. They turned out to be Slate-colored Juncos.



I had the Oregon sub-species out West so this was a nice add to my Life List.



Finally, another species that is all over the area is the Common Grackle. You can easily dismiss these guys as they fly in on any easy opportunity to scoop up food like this popcorn at the National Zoo. However, they are hard to ignore when they catch the sunlight just right.



Not a bad set of photos during a 'non-birding' trip! I am over my binocular withdrawal. Now I have to sort through the rest of the photos for posterity.

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.

Theler Wetlands, Part 2

After our Kingfisher encounter, we headed toward the car to make our way to a meet up with the rest of the family for dinner. Song Sparrows continued to zip across the trail and would sometimes sit out in the open.



Up in the reeds in front of us Red-winged Blackbirds mingled about and I noticed one bird in particular that looked a bit different. What some folks call a "Lizard Head". This is because they are birds with no head feathers and really show their dinosaur heritage.



It is not known for sure why this happens but some speculate it is due to mites that get on the birds and they shed the feathers to get rid of the mites. We see this in Cardinals back East.

Bald Eagles cruised the marsh and Pacific Wrens scurried into the grasses as we walked along. Soon, I noticed a bird house on a post that was bulging with grass. As I approached, a swallow darted out and back to the box.



My mind was racing, as was my heart rate, and I thought it was a Violet-green Swallow. I have been trying to get a good look at one for years. Could I be this lucky to have one right in front of me with a nest?



Once I calmed down I realized it was a Tree Swallow. Oh, well. At the time I was busy trying to get every shot I could so I kept snapping away and getting as close as I could without spooking the bird.



I didn't have to worry too much. It just sat and posed and kept a close watch on me. Even when the other family members caught up to me the bird remained on the lid of the box.



I think I even let out a, "Yes!" at some point since I couldn't believe I was getting such excellent shots. I could have sat there all day and exhausted my card space. But we had to leave.



If I lived anywhere close to this spot I would be out here ALL the time. Bet it is really hopping during migration. Thanks for taking me out there, Bill! I hope to be back someday.

Port Orchard, July 2nd 2011

Like the previous times I have visited Port Orchard and stayed with the in-laws, I wake early in the morning to head out through the neighborhood while the rest of the family sleeps in. Though I didn't have the alarm clock bird, Pacific Wrens, waking me, it was still a joy to hear the local birds. Hairy Woodpeckers, Robins, and especially the Varied Thrushes calling in the early dawn light are a joy.

The only birds I could get a shot of were Song Sparrows.



Also seen were Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees and the occasional Violet-green Swallows flying by.

Later in the day we have scheduled a trip to Theler Wetlands. Can't wait!

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a slightly larger town than our earlier stops and more obviously tourist-y. However, we were headed straight out to a stop around the coast to visit the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary.



The port is always busy with locals coming back to dock as other boats take tourists our on excursions while others head out by sea plane. The planes seemed to be taking off and landing continuously.



During our bus trip to the sanctuary we had Bald Eagles overhead from port to destination. The rainforest was beautiful and full of interesting plants. Once inside the canopy, the birds began to appear along the trail. I heard the guide behind us pointing out a sapsucker to her group so I tried for a shot. The bird flew toward our group and I could easily tell it was actually a Hairy Woodpecker.



When I caught up to our group they were bunched up at a turn and staring at the trees. Seemed they were watching a Bald Eagle right near the trail.



The eagle was cool and all but several of us started to wonder more about the shapes just below it. Turned out to be a mother Black Bear and two cubs resting in the branches! I could only get a clear view of one of the cubs.



We soon exited the forest out onto a boardwalk along the creek. It moves out across a beautiful marsh and I soon started hearing a slightly familiar song. Sure enough, up on a branch was a very loud Song Sparrow.



Swallows cruised the grasses and Bald Eagles were flying every where, including this 3rd year bird.



It was soon followed by a nice adult, all of them heading toward the bear tree.



Another part of the sanctuary experience, for some, is a series of zip lines that are strung all through the forest. The eagles seem to take the zipper in stride.



We exit the boardwalk and up to the reindeer pen where guests can feed the animals. Right after that we head into a rehab area and get looks at an injured eagle.



Nearby, a handler presented an injured Great-horned Owl for everyone to learn about.



Finally, we were passed through a shed where a carver was working on a totem pole and told of his experience about his art and then back to wait for the bus. We asked to be let off before the ship so we could explore Creek Street for a bit. We bought some gifts and on the way in we had a very brief visit from a Pine Siskin along the creek.



A fairly short walk back to the ship allowed some more photo ops, including a pose in front of "Thundering Wings" situated between the roadway and the water.



We got back to the ship and officially left Alaskan soil. I hope someday we can return to see more of this fantastic state. Maybe farther into the interior or the other islands. The weather turned out to be excellent for most of our trip. For now, we have a day of travel back to Vancouver.