Skagit Valley Eagles

We went Bald Eagle watching today in Skagit Valley with some good friends. The Eagles were not quite as plentiful as we had hoped, but we still had a blast together just hanging out and talking.

When we first arrived it actually started to snow. In this shot if you click on the picture you can see some of the white stuff.

Common Mergansers back in town

There was a pretty amazing brief moment of time yesterday off Ray Nash Bay in Gig Harbor. A group of around 100 Common Mergansers swam into Ray Nash Bay feverishly chasing small fish for a Saturday lunch. In the midst of this fun, a Bald Eagle swooped down and caught a fish that the Mergansers had herded up next to the shore.

When I went to look up some facts on the Common Loon, the Merganser-Eagle show that I had just witnessed was confirmed in writing.... Here is what it said......"Gulls of various species often follow flocks of foraging Common Mergansers. The gulls wait for the ducks to come to the surface with fish, and then they try to steal their prey. Occasionally even a Bald Eagle will try to steal a fish from a successful merganser".

Bald Eagle swooping in for a free fish

Male Common Merganser

One Male with two Female Mergansers

Mergansers feverishly chasing small fish

Slow take off out of Ray Nash Bay

Female Close Up

Sleeping Mallards

It has been too long since I last updated my blog. Here are a couple of shots of some Mallard ducks I took yesterday off of Spadoni Hill.

Mallards are the most common duck in the United States. Because I see them all the time, I think I take them for granted. Actually they are amazingly beautiful with their bright green heads (males) and bright orange feet.

Enjoy!

Goldeneye's

There are two types of Goldeneye ducks in in Western Washington. The COMMON Goldeneye and BARROWS Goldeneye

Barrows Goldeneye in Ray Nash Bay

Common Goldeneye in Ray Nash Bay

Common Goldeneye male drying off....

I see many more of the Barrows Goldeneye's off of Ray Nash Bay.

Common Goldeneye female with crab

Barrows Goldeneye male in fall reflections

Female Barrows Goldeneye

I have to say after much debate, the Barrows Goldeneye is my favorite of the Goldeneye's..

Bird Watch Saturday

It has been a great day for viewing birds off of Ray Nash Bay today. Here are some shots from this morning..

Immature Bald Eagle in our neighbors tree

Male Surf Scooter with Clam


Female Barrows Goldeneye with water drop on beak (click on photo to view)

Happy New Year...

....Now I am ready for Spring and Spring training in Peoria, AZ...

We had a great Christmas break this year. Our kids Matt and Ash made it up here from California......Matt even brought Emily, his girl friend up here to visit with us.

Here are some shots of snow scenes off Ray Nash...

Snowy Ray Nash Bay

Our snow covered deck....

Snowy trees off of Ray Nash Bay