Hey tweets, sorry for the late report, but I found a first-winter GLAUCOUS
GULL at Westport on Sunday. It was hanging out on the rocks in the "Groins,"
as the surfers call the area of short jetties opposite the marina. The gull
was perched on a rock within arm's length of the wooden observation platform
(not the tall, towering observation structure that kids run up and down
lightly but I have to halt midway while climbing and pretend to look for
birds while controlling my panting to the point where it's a wonder I don't
keel over in a dead faint; no, I mean the short wooden platform near those
little cabinettes that tourists rent out right by the bait store).

The gull was not at all shy and let me get so close that I had trouble
focusing my binoculars. I saw every little feather, and even a droplet of
water hanging off the gull's bill. The pink and black bill was
picture-perfect. When the gull finally flew, I got very good looks at its
tail, which had no bar. It was a very beautiful bird. - Connie, Seattle

csidles at isomedia.com