More Birding at Spring Lake

Since I had gotten a late start on my walk around Ralphine Lake/Spring Lake and had already spent considerable time taking pictures of the mergansers, I decided I had better get walking if I wanted to get back before dinner. But as often happens, as I was leaving I glanced up and noticed a pair of cormorants sitting in the tree and couldn’t couldn’t resist getting one more good shot before I left.

Before I could get a shot of the cormorant a Green Heron suddenly landed right in front of me.

Green Heron

Needless to say, I couldn’t resist shooting it first. This may be the best shot I have ever taken of a Green Heron in breeding plumage, though apparently even this isn’t full breeding colors.

The green heron flew off nearly as quickly as it had appeared and I refocused of the Cormorant before I headed for Spring Lake.

Double-Crested Cormorant

I must admit I’m so used to seeing these sitting on pier posts on Puget Sound or on the ocean that I’m nearly as surprised to see them sitting in a tree as I am seeing a great blue Heron sitting in a tree.

One of my three “firsts” on this trip to California was this Red-Shouldered Hawk I saw on a snag between the two lakes.

Red-Shouldered Hawk

At first I just assumed it was a Red-Tailed Hawk and wasn’t too concerned about getting a shot but as it flew off

Red-Shouldered Hawk

I knew instantly it was not a hawk that I recognized.

I was so distracted by the sight of this hawk that I didn’t pay much attention to the turn-off and when I returned after circling Spring Lake without taking a single picture I walked right by the turn-off and walked another half mile or so before I realized I was lost. I actually had to ask another walker if I was on the right path back to Howarth Lake and barely made it back before dark.

5 thoughts on “More Birding at Spring Lake”

  1. Not to be picky, or anything, but it’s “Lake Ralphine” in Howarth Park — not “Hogwarth Lake.” I think you have mingled the words Howard and Hogwarts, which is OK by me because it is a rather magical place, and I’m sure Harry Potter won’t mind either. Incidentally, I once taught sailing at Lake Ralphine many years ago.

    That little green heron has been there for years and is quite friendly — a particular pal of mine.

    1. Thanks, Mary, I did correct the name in my previous entry before I posted it, but I think I memorized it wrong when I first went there and I have had a hard time getting it straight since.

    1. I don’t know how I ever lived without them, Dave.

      I use them every time I need to confirm a bird sighting, not to mention every time I need to figure out a reference in a poem.

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