All,

I was at Theler Wetlands in Belfair today from 7:30 to 11:00. Among the
birds I could identify were:

Belted Kingfisher
Red-winged blackbirds, including immatures
Black-capped Chickadee
Cedar Waxwings
Caspian Terns
Mallards
Goldfinch
Tree Swallows
Barn Swallows
Killdeer
Green Heron
Virginia Rail

The Green Heron looks to me to be an immature. As I was photographing
the heron, a small brown bird ran across a small opening about four feet
from the heron. It did this several times and I managed some
photographs. If it had remained still I could have put it and the Heron
in the same frame. I had never seen a Virgina Rail before, but I knew
this was their behavior, and I'm sure I have correctly identified it.
If not, please let me know.

I spent an hour and fifteen minutes observing and photographing the
heron from a foot bridge. I'm not sure what it was doing. At one point
it picked up a stick as if to eat it. It took several baths and walked
back and forth. It appeared agitated at times as joggers ran by, but
would calm down. Finally it began walking towards me, getting as close
as 6.3 meters according to the EXIF information from the last photo
before a passing jogger scared it off.

I stopped by the Farmer's market next door to the parking lot and picked
up a homemade Raspberry Rhubarb pie to cap off an enjoyable morning.

Photos of the Kingfisher, Waxwings, Rail and Heron here:

http://skygardener.zenfolio.com/p592255460/h18104fc4#h18104fc4

John Riegsecker, Gig Harbor, WA
jriegsecker at pobox dot com

--
John R.