Comrades. I had a nice trip to Birch Bay, Semiahmoo and the Blaine marina
today.

Highlights included a flock of ~ 1000 Pacific loons (more than I've ever
seen!), a dozen or so long tailed ducks, 9 black scoters, and a 5-pack of
black oystercatchers screaming to each other on the pebbles at the
Semiahmoo resort. The resort has caution-taped off the dock/boardwalk
around the yellow building, unfortunately. 3 bald eagles seemed to be
hunting scaup in coordination off the Semiahmoo north side, and one of them
came up successful. The disappointment for me was finding zero alcids,
which I can't remember ever achieving there before. Also for the first
time ever, there were no seals lazing on the dock -- tho correspondingly
there were a dozen or more seal heads visible amid the sea birds. It was
chilly and breezy with on-and-off snow flurries, and I was glad for
the chance to face away from the wind each time. Lunch at the Mexican food
place right near the Blaine roundabout - recommended.

Jerry Neufeld-Kaiser (Whitney's driver)