Hey tweets, today was a quiet day at the Fill, though the silvery
light and pale sun beautifully lit up the still face of the waters. I
have to admit that what I like about nature is birds birds birds, so
when the birds are skulking out of sight, I can occasionally, just for
a moment, feel myself edging toward boredom. However, I am in love
with light and color, and the Fill does grant us vistas of both, so
that always makes me happy.

The American Coots in their vast rafts were very jumpy today, I think
because a Bald Eagle kept calling near Union Bay. I couldn't find the
eagle, and probably neither could the coots, so that made everyone
nervous. A COMMON GOLDENEYE amid the coots could not understand why
its companions kept running over the water, refusing to settle down
for long, though no imminent danger was forthcoming. I saw it
stretching its neck, looking everywhere, then joining the coot flock
to ponderously flit (as much as such a heavy duck can) from one spot
to the next. Finally, the duck just gave up and flew south to the
Montlake Cut, turned west, and disappeared. If a duck could feel
disgust, I'm sure that one did.

FYI, no one spotted the injured Canada Goose today, though several
people looked. I think the goose is still present, somewhere in the
area, so please keep an eye out. I heard from Rachel Peresie of PETA
today, who is very grateful we are on the alert. She gave me
permission to give you her private cell phone number so you can reach
her over the weekend. She says if she doesn't answer right away, leave
a message, and she will respond quickly. You can use my name, if you
want. Her cell phone is: 757-375-9641.

Also on view today: two Savannah Sparrows (!) in Hunn Meadow East, and
a Horned Grebe out on the lake. Jeffrey Bryant reported an odd duck
heading east from the slough between Canoe Island and the mainland:
something that looked like a cross between a Wood Duck and a Mallard.
He said it was a gorgeous bird. - Connie, Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com
www.constancypress.com
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