COVID-19 has affected us all - making every birding trip a calculation of risk, protection and reward.  After exploring precautions taken by San Juan Cruises out of Bellingham, I signed on for a "Puffin Cruise" to smith Island on July 3rd.  The large boat was at less than 50% capacity, seating was socially isolated, and masks were required of all aboard.  Less than perfect weather but very calm seas and some clearing when we reached our destination.
Bottom line was more than 2 dozen Tufted Puffins, NO Horned Puffin and many other nice birds.  Details and photos are in the following blog post.  The COVID-19 risk/reward calculation was favorable for that excursion but not so for a hoped for trip to Arizona where there was a good chance to add a number of specialties and rarities to my ABA Life List.  Photos by others of the "opportunities lost" are also in the Post.
I stress that while I am disappointed in missing the trip to Arizona (as well as others), I have no right to complain as so many others are hit so much harder by this terrible Pandemic and its mishandling in the U.S.  I am thankful that my glass is more than half full.
 https://blairbirding.com/2020/07/05/my-glass-less-than-half-empty-and-more-than-half-full/


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