Regrettably had only brief chances to observe outside the yard today in
Seattle city limits, never the best thing where these shy creatures are
concerned.

Yard had more or less the usual multiple Sparrow multitudes (guess I need to
learn to refine that, but interest admittedly low - though would like to
figure out those nuanced ones like Chipping and White-, Golden-, Black-
throated, footed, bejeweled, and whatever), both Chickadees (surprised to hear of two
first-of-yard sightings of Chestnuts not far from here this week - they're
not uncommon in our yard), House Finch, that Jay (Rachel has me too jumpy to
try to spell its' name), Juncos of both the Oregon and Slate variety (primo
ex. of latter noticed by me for first time yesterday), and amusingly
belligerent Towhees, prone to attack the smaller birds despite wide spread of seed I
flung out. Flickers and, alas, Crows and Starlings. And, oh yes, for me
personally, the treat of the day at home, repeated mini-cameos by Red-breasted
Nuthatch. Is that bird ever shy! If only I could express my fondness in a way
it would understand. Love unrequited.

As best my skills have it (photo work has helped at sacrifice of
binoculars), this is what we saw in a half-hour at the small Meadowbrook wetlands
(across street East of the community center/pool complex near my alma mater Nathan
Hale) and an even shorter curbside visit to Pilling's Pond.

Meadowbrook yielded Bufflehead and what I'm convinced was Eurasian Wigeon.
Pictures of latter certainly do justice to the wonderful warm rufous/chestnut
head of male (as well as dabbling), but the chest is more or less variegated
gray, unlike the Sibley depiction. Black tail-feathers a la Sibley were
also tough to certify, but I notice he does not flag them as a major
characteristic.

Sadly, while we were there we also watched two frozen raccoon corpses being
retrieved from island in major pond. Apparently there was no obvious
evidence of foul play, to our relief. And while I would never countenance pain and
suffering to any species, this is one that seems far too prevalent and
creative (if not malevolent - almost human-like!) in its' preying.

I know we saw others at M'brook, but IDs aside from obvious Mallards failed
me.

At Pilling's Pond, even aside from the wild-and-crazy goose a la SNL
(Egyptian? - white body, black head, red wattle/bill, and the stage presence of the
greatly-missed Gilda, repeatedly flumphing and grousing in various ways to
make sure I didn't overlook her), what a spectacle! Wood ducks galore. One
shy Bufflehead, helping with ID on Meadowbrook same. Amongst many pics of WDs,
I spied a Hooded Merganser with lowered crest; great to compare with others
seen recently. More interestingly, if maybe a bit less colorful is what I am
pretty certain is a male Ring-necked Duck. Almost unmistakable from the pic
in Sibley, although crown peak could have been better. Beak is a dead
ringer.

Paul Johanson
North Beach
(N. of Ballard, Seattle)