The Samammish Slough at Marymoor Park was unprecedented this
afternoon in terms of avian photo opportunities. I spent several
hours with kayak and camera. At times I didn't know which way to
point the camera, there was so much going on.

I put in at the Rowing Club dock. Immediately, I saw the mother
COMMON MERGANSER with her ten new babies, sunning on a log in the
water. I trailed them for about an hour, trying to stay far enough
back not to pressure them, and eventually deciding they'd had enough
of me. Paddling south, I then spent time photographing a pair of
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS who were eating blossoms in the trees
overhanging the water. It was about 4:30 by now, and the sunlight
coming from behind and reflecting off the water made them look
especially orange-red. Next I noticed a scruffy GROSBEAK FLEDGLING
hanging out near the pair, who I assume are the parents.

This was interrupted by several fly-by's from a brilliantly colored
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, which in turn was displaced by a trilling
TWOHEE high in a branch. The Towhee's colors outdid those of the
female Grosbeak (but not those of the male).

A FLYCATCHER next caught my eye, posing very nicely on a branch in
the open (ID to come).

Then a fledgling (possibly Song Sparrow) preening in the cup of a
short stump sticking up from the shoreline. The fledgling was then
displaced by a HAIRY WOODPECKER for a minute.

Mind you, all this took place in a span of about 15 minutes. It was a
three-, four- or five-ring circus.

The only quiet time was when a BALD EAGLE flew high overhead and
things got silent for about 4 minutes.

Other sightings included several KINGFISHERS, a tree full of
BUSHTITS, three or four GREAT BLUE HERONS, and two WOOD DUCK families
(totaling about ten babies). Redwing Blackbirds, crows, Robins, and
the other usual suspects of course continue as well.

I came home with nearly 500 photos, which I've now pared down to 175
and will pare down further. I'm sure there were a dozen or two
print-worthy shots in there -- very exciting for an afternoon's outing.


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