Washington Coast

Monday I went to the Washington Coast with noted local birder Ruth Sullivan, who was hoping to see some rare birds reported on Tweeters. Me, I was just looking for some hints on where the best birding on the coast might be.

We were heading for Tokeland in order to get there before the high tide, but first we stopped at Bottle Beach, which is a noted birding spot, though I’ve managed to drive by it several times without ever noticing it. I would have driven by it again if I’d been driving, but luckily Ruth was driving. Unfortunately, the tide was unusually low and the only birds we spotted were a pair of Semipalmated Plover, which was fine with me because it’s a bird I’ve never managed to capture before.

Semipalmated Plover

We also stopped at Midway Beach, where we had a little better luck, at least the first time. I managed to get by far the best shot I’ve gotten of a Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowleg

and my first shot ever of a pair of Red-Necked Phalarope’s.

Red-Necked Phalarope

The weather wasn’t nearly as cooperative on our return trip, though. Although it was sunny nearly everywhere else, here’s a shot of the same Lesser Yellowlegs, this time obscured by heavy fog and blowing sand.

Lesser  Yellowlegs in Fog

Which just confirms my belief, from living in Aberdeen for nearly a year, that you never know what kind of weather you’re going to get at the beach.

2 thoughts on “Washington Coast”

  1. This site always brightens my morning- I’m really glad you’re out there, searching the world for beautiful things then bringing them back to share with us!

  2. I ain’t got much to share back, but you seem overburdened with goodies as it is, so I figure I don’t owe ya! Always nice to see some birds in focus, I admit!

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