A few recent observations:

- The eagles nest across from Salty's on Harbor Avenue in West Seattle has
fallen apart. About a week ago, nearly half of it had fallen apart. Yesterday
it was completely dismantled. The two fledglings were circling high overhead
for quite a while. The naturalists at Discovery Park assured me that this
often happened to the nest in Discovery Park and they would rebuild it each
year (Athough this year they relocated neaby - out of the park.)

- Just a few great blue herons remaining in the Kiwanis Ravine colony nests.
Saw one juvenile take small hops from tree to tree this morning. The other
day saw a fascinating fight (evidently territorial) between an adult who was
in its customary spot near the top of an evergreen tree at the Locks, and a
juvenile who was sitting slightly higher in the tree. Quite amazing to watch
them go at each other with their beaks, apparently never quite touching each
other, but impressive displays of feathers, posturing and jousting. In the
past two days only the adult has been in the tree. Guess he won the contest.
It has been great fun to see the young herons land in unlikely places,
including near humans, and to watch their awkward landings and perches.

- Young eagle on the beach off Discovery Park today at low tide. Mottled
white markings. From my description, naturalist said it was probably at least
one year old. Also an osprey flew by and several caspian terns were on the
beach. We watched an amusing hunt the other day as a tern kept circling and
approaching the water, but never committed to a dive. Finally it gave up and
flew off. Shortly thereafter a large salmon briefly surfaced. The caspian
evidently had seen it, wanted it, but eventually realized it was way too
big.....

- Sockeye salmon run is waning at the Locks, but they are still coming
through and a few chinook are also appearing. However, Fish and Wildlife
person I talked to there didn't expect a good year for chinook through the
Locks. There was a harbor seal there last night.

Didi Anstett
mailto: didianstet at aol.com