May our eye for nature improve a touch as the world spins a little slower.
All in the Family
Our month of May was such a blessing. With the added protection of our completed immunization process, on top of continued personal precautions, we traveled the length of the U.S. west coast, from Rancho Bernardo CA to Seattle WA (via Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Rainier N.P. and Olympic N.P.), then back south to Bishop, Mammoth Lakes and Davis, California. Spending time with three of the other “teams” and sharing long-missed face-to-face time was so fantastic. With respect to birding, we appreciated the graciousness of the other teams, their sharing of local knowledge, chauffeur services, the alerts to sightings and tips. Below are just a few of the avian images we were able to enjoy along the way.
A Ruffed Grouse who greeted us along the Hoh River Trail in Olympic National Park. David taught us what to listen for when looking for a grouse.A Pacific Wren who entertained us on the same Hoh River Trail in Olympic N.P.A Canada Jay, one of many we saw after David introduced us to our first in Mount Rainier N.P.An adult Great Horned (top) and two juveniles seen in the Skagit Wildlife Area, WA.An American Dipper, spotted by David in Mount Rainier N.P. Thanks to his tips on what to look for we saw another one in Olympic N.P.Susanville CA was just a one-night stop on our way back south, but it also provided some lifers like these White-faced Ibis (above) and Sandhill Cranes (below)While the wild turkeys we hoped for in Davis CA didn’t show up, we did see our first Wood Ducks at the UC Davis Arboretum. One more bird for the 2021 list and a lifer! No complaints for sure!One of my favorite images from the entire trip. David noticed the nest and chicks in this tree in the Skagit Wildlife Area and an adult European Starling circling in. We patiently waited, cameras at the ready, for the quick feeding. What a treat for the little cuties and us.
The Big Year 2021 