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.

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!

Towel Animals

One of the fun things on the cruise was coming back to the room and finding a set of towels folded into animal shapes on the bed after the crew made up the room while we were out. Here are most of our animals!

First up, the one that let us know we were in for many to follow, a Stingray. We were a bit confused and if it hadn't been for the eyes set on top we might have thought it was just a forgotten towel on the bed.



Next, an elephant! Nice.



The third day we were greeted by an animal I could not figure out. Just looked a bit, um, graphic. Once I mentioned that, Carolyn opted to skip the photo. So, Day 4. The sea lion.



Who can't say, "Aw!" to coming back to a little puppy waiting on the bed after a long day?



The final night we arrived in the room we did not see a towel animal and were a bit disappointed. So we settled in and headed to the balcony. Next to the desk we saw it. A monkey!

Back Through the Inside Passage

Last day of traveling on the Zuiderdam leads us back through the Inside Passage. The rain finally caught us but we could still enjoy watching the scenery from the lower decks.



Since we are back in open waters we watch for sea birds after meeting up with our shipmates, Bill and Chris. They were birders from the UK and we spent quite some time watching the birds and glaciers together.

Most of the birds braving the rain and winds were Sooty Shearwaters.



They sometimes congregated in large flocks in search of food.



Sometimes a single bird would head in to join the group.



At last look at this Pacific wander. Nice to have them along for the trip.



Other birds began to fly by. I was glad to get a pretty good shot of Rhinoceros Auklets skimming the waves. I got a shot in the near dark 5 years ago at Ocean Shores but without help I couldn't have ID'd it. This shot leaves no doubt.



Although an on-board guide told us that we shouldn't get our hopes up to see a Tufted Puffin on the trip, those of us watching carefully saw many. The first were spotted while eating breakfast and then we had more today.



Cute even when in flight in low light.



I saw a Common Murre earlier on the trip, I couldn't get a shot. Fortunately another showed up bobbing in the waves and was spooked into flight as the ship approached.



Back off the water and across the waves.



Thanks to the keen eyes of Bill, a new Lifer made the list. A Fork-tailed Storm Petrel flying right by the Murre!



Apparently fairly common around these parts, this small bird would have definitely escaped my detection. Thanks for the extra help, Bill! Happy travels. Nice hanging out with you two.



We enter the calmer waters heading back to port overnight but not before seeing a nice lighthouse along the way.



A fabulous first cruising experience. However, there are still two more days in Washington for a family reunion and more opportunities to find birds before we head home. Next up: Port Orchard and Bainbridge Island!

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.

Sea Lions at South Marble Island

I had almost forgotten that we were suppose to have one more viewing opportunity on the way out of Glacier Bay. We were to pass by the South Marble Islands where Sea Lions congregate in large numbers. We made it around to the port side just in time to see them.



The next island held just as many mammals and a ton of birds, some seemed to be on nests along the rock face.



Here is a cropped version of the above photo for more Sea Lion goodness.



One of the furthest islands was completely full.



Finally, here is a shot showing a large male surrounded by his harem. The Sea Lions were feeding all around the islands and it was a joy to see such a concentration of life on these tiny rocks in the waterway.



On to Ketchikan.