I spent most of the morning at the main pond today and was rewarded with
some very cooperative shorebirds. Dressed in my hallmark camo outfit I sat
under some willow branches near the edge of the pond at the south west
viewing area. Before long a LESSER YELLOWLEGS strolled by me not 4 feet
away. It was soon joined by 2 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS which appeared to be
juveniles. One approached to within 10 feet of me and took a bath at the
water's edge. Next to arrive were 5 WESTERN SANDPIPERS which I think were
juveniles as well. A lone LEAST SANDPIPER appeared from nowhere and landed
right in front of me for a few pictures. During the entire time a single
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER snoozed under the cover of some willow branches. I
later crawled toward it on my belly and got some ultra close-up images.



Other highlights included a juvenile GREEN HERON at the southwest pond and
the surprise visit of the juvenile COOPER'S HAWK which passed 10 feet over
my head and landed close by in the willows. See Kevin Purcell's account in
his earlier post.



I took 350 pictures which I need to sort through, process and put on my
website. I will let you all know when I have accomplished that task.



Oh, and I saw a SORA for about 30 seconds at Juanita Bay park later in the
day.



Bob Kothenbeutel

Woodinville