Stopped briefly at the Everett Sewage Treatment Ponds last night to see the largest bunch of Northern Shovelers I 've seen anywhere - I figured about 300. While there were a few of the usual suspects around ( Mew Gulls, Coots, Scaup, and Ruddy Duck) it was really Shoveler Night on the pond.

They were concentrated near the sw corner of the pond near the road with others scattered around. Several groups of 100 birds or so were packed together like sardines - and all busy shoveling around in a circular fashion which made it hard to get a very accurate count. A pretty cool sight.

Earlier in the afternoon enjoyed seeing the first male Rufous Hummer I've seen this year. Working in a garden where I'd planted an especially bright flowered Red-flowing Currant a few years ago - now in glorious bloom. A colorfull sight - then the Hummer showed up with his bright rust suit on, gorget flashing like a laser in the afternoon sun. A whole new category of color !

Jeff Gibson, Everett Wa