Month: March 2021

I originally headed out to Ocean Shores and Westport to see Loons in breeding colors, Brown Pelicans, and Godwits.  As it turned out, I only saw two Common Loons, 

and neither was in breeding colors.  I wondered if that was merely because of tides or whether the dredging they did earlier in the year drove the loons away.  Nor was there a single Brown Pelican to be seen.

Instead, there were numerous Bufflehead,

and Surf Scoters, 

both which I see regularly in Tacoma.The only unusual bird I saw at Westport was what appeared to be an Eared Grebe in winter plumage.

I drove down to Tokeland in hopes of seeing the Godwits, but all I saw was this Willet. 

Expectations are strange.  They motivate us to break out of our usual ruts and look for new experiences.  When they’re not met, though, they can disappoint and discourage us from trying again. 

Luckily, I have early memories of salmon fishing.  When the salmon weren’t running and we had been “skunked” for the day, Dad always took us closer to shore so we could catch “bottom fish.” 

To this day I prefer bottom fish to salmon, but I’d still prefer to get shots of loons in breeding color and pelicans than Eared Grebes or Willets.

I’ll have to admit since all the-rarely-seen Rock Sandpiper wanted to do was sleep, I was quickly distracted by three Sanderlings that landed nearby and ran back and forth hunting for food as the tide pushed inward.  Even with a still camera, I like action.  

These two seemed to stick together the whole time, 

while the third one stuck to himself, 

and amazed me when it nearly ran over my foot and settled down in a protected part of the jetty feet away from where I was standing.

Apparently I had been standing in one spot so long it considered me just another part of the scenery.  Mission accomplished.

Inspired by my previous-day outing at Port Orchard and a forecast of a sunny day at the coast, I set out for Ocean Shores at 6:30 the next morning.  It’s become traditional to start the day at the North Beach Jetty where I can usually spot a small colony of Black Turnstones.  They were easier to find than usual because the high tide forced them into one small area almost on the beach.

They are obviously used to visitors because they walk around, preen,

and nap as if there was nobody else there. 

I mean, I knew it looked lighter than your average Turnstone, but I attributed that to it being immature or to changing from winter plumage.  It didn’t help that I had never heard of a Rock Sandpiper before. 

In retrospect, I realize that serious birders and I see birds rather differently.  When I am looking at a flock, I am trying to figure out what would make the best picture.  When a serious birder is looking at a flock, he is noticing small differences, looking for an unusual specie. 

I, on the other hand, may get distracted by the sight of a common Sanderling landing nearby because I like its reflection in the water.