After we dropped big brother Gavin off at soccer practice, Lael and I decided to visit the Pt. Defiance Zoo. We were the first in the gate, and it seemed that all the animals were rather laid back,
barely awake,
or wide-eyed but not quite ready to move.
Only one seemed determined to cover as much ground as possible as quickly as possible:
Today was another beautiful day, but like last week there weren’t many birds out and about and those that were visible seemed to be content to lay around in the shadows even at 7:30 in the morning.
I was feeling a little sorry for myself when about three-fourths of the way around the outside trail, I saw an old friend, or at least a bird that reminded me of an old friend because I was never formally introduced.
But it’s hard to miss this white goose standing guard in the middle of a flock of Canada Geese. Suddenly it hit me that this was precisely what I saw the first time I toured Nisquallly on July 30, 2005, almost three years ago to the day.
I suddenly remembered that Canada Geese and Great Blue Heron dominated the landscape when I first visited, but then I was thrilled by the pictures I got, even though I doubt any of them was a better picture than this one:
I’ve probably mentioned this before, but birding seems to have given me a much better sense of shifting seasons than I’ve ever had in my life. I’m not sure that it has really given me a better feel for nature because I’ve been nature-oriented for many a year now, but it certainly feels that way.
Of course, looking back also makes me realize that I’ve gotten jaded while birding the last three years, with a constant need to see new things in new ways even though I try to avoid that feeling and simply remain aware.
I’ve seen a lot of Kildeer in the last three years, but I felt lucky to get as close as I did to this one, especially since he blended in so well with his background:
It was much too sunny not to go to Nisqually today after a week of steady rain, but the sunshine didn’t seem to draw much of a crowd of birds. In fact, the only good shot I got was one of the Cedar Waxwing which seem to have returned to feast on the fruit and berries.
No, perhaps cued by our extended rain, the frogs were out in great numbers today, if you took the time to slow down and notice. Actually, this frog was pointed out by a young lady who was trying to get her sister and mother to see it:
He was too big to miss, but with his camouflage, and some shade, he wasn’t at all easy to pick up .
I’m sure that I would have missed this even better camouflaged frog if I hadn’t stopped to take some pictures of wasps feeding on the leaves:
But both of these were relatively easy to see compared to this small tree frog pointed out by another refuge visitor when she saw I was actually taking pictures of them:
I don’t think I really knew that there were frogs this small.
I think the Frog Gods must have taken mercy on me today, since the birds seemed unwilling to talk today.
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.