Birding Flagler

Between the heavy rain and recent illnesses I haven’t managed to get out to get any new pictures, but my finger infection is finally healed enough that I can type without cussing at the keyboard. Luckily way back when we had our short dry spell I was out taking pictures every day and now I have time to process them.

Our longest trip during that time was a favorite, a visit combining Ft Flagler and Port Townsend, beginning with Flagler where I hunt for Harlequin Ducks. On this visit, with especially high tides, these small Sanderlings dominated the scene, alternately landing in front of us

FlyngSndrlings

quite close and at very high speeds, making it difficult to focus the camera on them.

2Sndrlngs

Luckily, there was always the bold, or overly trusting, bird that would run straight back toward you once the flock had landed.

SndrlngPsngBy

Even while focusing on the shorebirds, I scanned the horizon, looking for the Harlequins.

As usual, there were lots of birds just offshore, but the male Red Breasted Merganser particularly caught my attention,

DstntMrgnsr

even though it was really too far away to get very good shots.

I didn’t see a single Harlequin until our second stop, and they were so far out that the best I could do was very that they were actually there.

DstntHrlquin

Despite waiting nearly a half hour to see if they would come closer to shore, they never did, though meanwhile this crow stopped by to see what I was up to.

CrowSmpthy

4 thoughts on “Birding Flagler”

  1. Your photos make me wish I had seen a Harlequin when we were living up in Port Townsend. I’m sure they were there. They are so beautiful. Love those Sanderlings too, and the Red Breasted Merganser and Crow. Fantastic to see them all. Glad to hear your finger is healing, and hope the rest of you is as well!

    1. Sorry you missed those Harlequins; they are special.

      I’m generally feel better, but I’ll feel even better when I finish one of the two medications sometimes tomorrow.

    1. Paying way too much for equipment helps. Using Lightroom and plugins to sharpen helps, too. Depending on your camera, you can choose how sharp you want pictures to be. I always set my to the lowest set, though, and sharpen in other programs.

      I envy you your sunshine, particularly this time of year. Sunshine is the number one determinant of sharpness.

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