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.

Theler Wetlands, Part 1

My brother-in-law Bill wanted to show me Theler Wetlands 5 years ago but time was short and I was itching to get to Nisqually that year. Today we headed over to this excellent spot in Belfair, Washington.



We took the left-hand trail out to the marsh boardwalk and immediately spotted Barn Swallows cruising over the grasses. Soon, one landed on a stump but took off before I could get a shot. I tried getting some flight shots but they were really moving. I stayed and tried more shots while Bill and his son headed for the end of the walk.

The swallow flock kept flying to a spot under the walk so I watched a little more. Suddenly, one of the swallows landed on the railing and was then joined by another. I took small steps toward them and to my surprise they allowed me to get pretty close. Like, real close.



While these birds rested on the railing I determined that they were young and the adults would fly by to make sure I wasn't a threat.



Eventually they flew off to join the adults. A couple of American Goldfinches zoomed by past us as we made our way to the other trail.



We headed down the trail and noticed some Mallards off to the side. Then a sound I really wasn't expecting erupted from the reeds and a couple of Red-winged Blackbird flew up into the trees. Don't know why I thought this species wouldn't be out here. Rounding a curve, a Fox Sparrow jumped out onto the trail and then back into the brush. Song Sparrows were flying all around.

On a branch overhanging the water, I spotted a Belted Kingfisher. I tried to get closer and it flew off, chattering away. Then I noticed that there was another. I had to ease out into some willows but the wind blowing grass and limbs back and forth made shooting a bit tricky. Eventually I got a pretty good shot.



It took me a minute to realize it was holding a fish! I noticed another Fisher on another branch and then another. All in all, there were 5 in the tree and I figured it was the whole family. Two adults and three young. Guess they brought the fish for the kids and it just didn't know quite what to do with it.



Soon, a noisy family came walking down the trail and scared all of the birds off. We turned back to head toward the car. I was still cursing the family for spoiling my shot opportunities when an adult landed on a post right out in front of me. The rusty belt shows this was a female.



There were more birds along the way and I will post them tomorrow.