While canoeing in Padilla Bay Sunday during a high tide (not so
good for shorebirding but best if your goal is to avoid hauling your boat
through thigh-deep mud), we spotted a bird harassing a GBH in the
far distance. We started the usual ID conversation... "gull of some kind,
no it's a Hawk, no, an OWL! " Our options were more diverse than usual
due to the rocking boat effect.
After it had forced the GBH down to an acceptable landing zone, the
mystery bird obligingly flew towards our canoe and cicled it before
landing very close us on a large beach log. Short-Eared Owl ! This was
the best view I've ever had of one, previous observations were always in
eastern WA or OR at dusk and very quick.
Although it was 11:00 AM, the morning was very foggy. Later in the day
we noticed that there was a recently plowed field right there next to the
beach with 3 GBH's standing in it waiting for lunch. Must have been too
much of a crowd for the Short-Eared to chase away.

David Wilbur