5/5 Iverson Spit

A downward whistle followed by a low pitched trill
signal the presence of a male Brownheaded Cowbird
lurking in the brush, probably trying to lure some
unsuspecting parent into giving away the location of
its nest.

Audubon's YR Warblers busily find something to eat in
the Madronas. Savannah Sparrows scan the area from a
high perch in the wild roses, then glean from the
trails along with a Golden-crowned Sparrow. The White-
crowned Sparrow's plumage is so new it sizzles. A Song
Sparrow leaps to a perch on a bush just three feet
away. I say "sing" and it does!

Tree Swallows swirl beneath the lazy soaring of a pair
of Redtails. Higher still, a Bald Eagle pair circles.

Butterflies flutter in the sun including a Mourning
Cloak, a Cabbage White, a Boisduval's Blue, a brown one
so fast I can't even see the markings, and a Satyr
Comma (what a name, a bit conflicted perhaps?). I close
in on a Half-white Carpet Moth with my camera and at
last think I have a shot when the head of a
Chestnutbacked Chickadee fills the frame. I think "so
much for that moth" but as I lower the camera chaos
prevails - the moth flutters away as though nothing
unusual happened and the Chickadee is left looking
longingly after it.

As I return, approaching the observation deck, a
Killdeer starts crying, and as I approach closer it does
its broken wing display to lure me away from the area.
When I follow, it feels successful and continues, but as
I turn away, it flies in front of me and tries again.

As I write a Hermit Thrush crashed into the window, but
flew off and is perched on a branch recovering.

Rob Cash
Camano Island