I decided to bird Dash Point Dock and Browns Point this afternoon. It
started raining when I left the house about 3:00 PM, but it was not too bad
when I got to Dash Point Dock.. I found several Rhinoceros Auklets and
Red-necked Grebes, a single Horned Grebe. Flying by were Double-crested
Comorants, Glaucous-winged - and Mew Gulls and a single Pelagic Cormorant.
Off towards Dash Point State Park were many Surf - and White-winged Scoters.
The main highlight though, was a pod of Orcas, spotted by fishermen coming
around the corner of Maury Island and heading towards Commencement Bay and
Tacoma. They were pretty far off from the dock and closer to Maury Island.
I drove to Browns Point and was awarded with much closer looks of maybe 10
or more Orcas. Best views I have ever had! What magnificent animals! When
last seen, they were close to the port of Tacoma. Oh, there were some birds
at Browns Point also. A lone Killdeer, running along the waterline, braved
the people trying to take pictures of the Orcas. More cormorants flying by,
a flock of Red-breasted Mergansers landing on the water on the north side
and an immature Bald Eagle flying over set the mood. Also on the water,
were Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes and four Pigeon Guillemots. Three of
the guillemots, were starting to change into breeding plumage, with dark
heads and necks. No Marbled Murrelets today, but Last seen at Browns Point
on January 1.
It just seemed like a perfect afternoon in the Great Northwest: Orcas and
Eagles - only salmon missing! The increasing rain and wind dampened the
mood a bit, but then again it fit with the Northwest image perfectly!

Good Birding!

--
*Hans Feddern*
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA
thefedderns at gmail.com
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