Today at West Point, at Discovery Park I saw two kinds of Loons. First I observed a single Pacific Loon and later a group of three, close to the raft of Western Grebes. Then very close in to shore was a great big Common Loon in bright colors. I had a close encounter with a Raccoon at the pond, and saw a Black-throated Gray Warbler. In addition many Yellow-rumped Warblers were about, especially in the Maple trees, they seemed to be eating the dangling flowers, or bugs on the same. Eating lunch, my tradition, on the rocks in front of the lighthouse, I watched Rhinoceros Auklets splash around just off shore, they are a lot of fun to watch. They seem to be regulars now, and I always see some. There were at least three when I was there. I also counted 64 Brants on the beach, and among them was a very pale, diminutive, Canada Goose, possibly an albino, I am not sure. It had the Canada Goose markings, but was very light.

Mark Vernon
Renton, WA
mailto ma_vern at yahoo.com


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