Category: Theler Wetlands

With rain forecast Saturday, I took advantage of Friday’s sun break to head over to Theler Wetlands in Belfair. There still aren’t many birds out except for barn swallows and flocks of these little birds,

which I didn’t recognize as a juvenile American Goldfinch until I got home because it lacked the brilliant gold color I’ve always used to identify a Goldfinch. Even without its gold plumage it seemed like a very pretty bird. Perhaps I was able to get so close because it was a juvenile and raised beside a busy trail.

Other than that, the most interesting things I saw was this

,

Cardinal Meadowhawk which was quite the challenge to get a picture of because it refused to get too close and because it spent so little time actually sitting.

The hardest picture of the day, though, came in trying to capture this small flower which reminded me of a miniature orchid, but apparently isn’t because it wasn’t listed under native Washington orchids. It’s a little larger than the end of your thumb and only seems to grow in deep shade in swampy areas, not a great combination when you’re wearing sandals and shorts.

It’s been a crazy summer here in the Pacific Northwest with high temperatures early on and extended cold and rainy periods recently. The plants at Belfair are definitely showing their confusion. For instance, this wild rose show the characteristics of Spring,

Summer,

AND Fall.

I’m not sure what season this flower is supposed to bloom in because I can’t remember ever seeing it before, probably because it was so small, each flower about the size of a bumblebee:

And to add to the confusion, here is a shot of Wood Duck with chicks, even though the only time I’ve ever seen these is in early spring.

Though we’ve certainly had our share of sunshine and heat here in the Pacific Northwest lately, yesterday, at least yesterday morning, was one of those days that reminds you that fall’s clouds can’t be too far away.

Not only was it dark, and constantly threatening to rain, but there were very few birds in sight. Near the end of the hike I’d only taken six shots, and with the exception of what I think is a

Short-billed Dowitcher, Photoshop-enhanced to show correct plumage, I had nothing worth keeping.

Just as we were leaving the refuge, Leslie asked, “What’s that?” and pointed out a Green Heron flying directly toward us rather than away from us.

I recognized it instantly but figured I could never get a decent picture of it flying considering how dark it was. I was shocked to see it land in the pond directly in front of us. In fact, it seemed totally indifferent to us, going about its business of catching breakfast.

Naturally, it landed in the end of the pond with lots of cover and I had to shoot between fronds and leaves, but I was elated by the best shots

of the 145 pictures I ended up snapping. This appears to be a young Green Heron, lacking some of the color found in mature ones, but I couldn’t have been happier with the experience of watching this bird hunt for fifteen minutes.

Of course, the weather cleared later in the day and I had a good time at Kyland’s birthday party, but that’s an entry for another day.

I got up early this morning to go birding at Belfair, but considering that this Common Tern was nearly the only bird I saw that I couldn’t have seen in my own yard

I guess I’d have to say that I really went for a “nature walk,” since the best shots of the day included this one of a buck I hadn’t seen since last year

and a couple of pictures of flowers provided by the Master Gardeners at Theyler.

This unidentified yellow flower

and this Chocolate Lily that looks as delicious as it did last year.

Birds or no birds, it was a great way to begin July.