Hi Marvin,

You sound a bit unsure, but definitely it's the Virginia Rail. Very
nice photos, too. When I'm in doubt, I often just Google the bird and
look at the Google images. In this case, here's one nearly identical to yours:
http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/images/Photos/ralllimi.jpg

Good birding,

Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA
http://www.dartfrogmedia.com
mailto: tweeters at dartfrogmedia dot com


At 10:10 PM 5/28/2008, you wrote:

>Yesterday at around 11AM I went to look for Virginia Rails in
>Sammamish at the wetland on 244th Ave south of NE 8th St. I spotted
>a bird at the edge of my vision, moving rapidly from one hiding spot
>to another along the bank. It seemed too small to be a rail. I
>stood quietly and eventually it emerged from behind a log, and let
>me take some photos. It then shot away and landed with a loud
>splash out of sight. After that I heard the familiar "beep beep"
>call, but probably not from this bird. I later saw the bird again
>preening itself behind a screen of reeds. I have attached a link to
>some photos.
>
>http://flickr.com/photos/21019806 at N05/
>
>Marvin S. Hoekstra