A Walk at Titlow Park

When I came out of the YMCA today after my 6:30 Tai Chi class and my 8:00 Pilates class, I was shocked to be greeted by sunshine. Since rain was predicted, I didn’t think it would last long and headed home for Skye’s walk. By the time I finished that I was feeling rather sore, probably the result of not having had a class since last Tuesday.

When the sunshine hung around ‘til after lunch, I decided to recheck the forecast. It still said it was supposed to be mainly rainy, until Friday. Looking out the window suggested otherwise, though. I knew I was too tired to walk either Nisqually or Belfair, but I decided I could handle a short walk at Titlow Park.

So, about 1:30 I headed out to get more pictures. I figured it might be my lucky day since the resident kingfisher actually sat in the tree when I approached rather than flying away. Of course, I didn’t really get close, but it’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to this one.

Belted Kingfisher

I managed to get even closer to this cormorant, who was sitting on a branch on the edge of the pond. It was so close, that I couldn’t get it all in the frame at one time. It’s the kind of shot you can only hope to get at a zoo. I had a hard time choosing which of the many shots I liked best, but this was definitely one of them:

Cormorant Up Close

Finally, I spotted a Eurasion Widgeon for the first time ever, even though I published an earlier shot that a bird watcher had identified as a Eurasian Widgeon. Looking at this one, though, I’m sure the other one wasn’t a Eurasian Widgeon.

He’s the male on the right, next to the more familiar male American Widgeon on the left. No mistaking them.

 male Eurasian Widgeon

3 thoughts on “A Walk at Titlow Park”

  1. Great color, so nice to have the two of them stop so we could really see the differences. As always, great photos, and so close to home.kjm

  2. Fine bird portraits, Loren. Until now, I’ve never been close enough to a cormorant to discern its distinctive personality (birdality?) and intricate plumage. I like the light in the cormorant’s eye as well as the gestures of the widgeons and the intensity of the kingfisher.

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