Wildlife of Edmonds, WA.
- Thread starter Bill Anderson
- Start date
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Our local eagles are unapologetic posers, but the snipes in the marsh are difficult to find and photograph.
For those who prefer LBJ's over large raptors, here are some shots from yesterday of black-capped chickadees digging for larvae that live inside the cattail heads below the #2 viewing platform of the marsh. I have photographed several other species of birds doing this as well.
Today Edmonds Parks & Rec is holding their annual Marsh Madness spring break day camp for school kids at the marsh. I recommended to the leader that they be there around noon to take advantage of the birds brought out by the high water. I may go down then to take some PR photos for Parks & Rec, as it puts on a lot of good nature programs throughout the year including the annual Bird Fest.
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Friday (3/29) I had lunch with a friend in nearby Lynnwood. On the way back home I stopped off at Scriber Creek Park and Mini Park to look for birds.
My target at Scriber Creek Park was the resident green heron. Once again I got only a fleeting look as it flew across the street to Mini Park.
I searched the trees at the south end of Mini Park for the green heron to no avail, but I did find a bushtit nest under construction.
To the southeast a juvie bald eagle flew over I-5.
A muskrat swam across the pond past a turtle and coot sunning themselves.
My target at Scriber Creek Park was the resident green heron. Once again I got only a fleeting look as it flew across the street to Mini Park.
I searched the trees at the south end of Mini Park for the green heron to no avail, but I did find a bushtit nest under construction.
To the southeast a juvie bald eagle flew over I-5.
A muskrat swam across the pond past a turtle and coot sunning themselves.
Last shots from Mini Park:
Female hooded merganser.
A coot that I think was doing some kind of courtship ritual.
Next stop was Scriber Lake where I photographed a scaup on the lake...
and a pileated woodpecker deep in the woods.
My last stop before returning home was Hutt Park to photograph the resident pair of bald eagles perched on their family tree. It doesn't look as though the Hutt Park pair will be having a baby this year.
Female hooded merganser.
A coot that I think was doing some kind of courtship ritual.
Next stop was Scriber Lake where I photographed a scaup on the lake...
and a pileated woodpecker deep in the woods.
My last stop before returning home was Hutt Park to photograph the resident pair of bald eagles perched on their family tree. It doesn't look as though the Hutt Park pair will be having a baby this year.
Willow Creek Fish Hatchery, 3-30-31.
Terry and I were photographing the resident brown creeper hauling nest material to its burrow when Terry noticed a second bird on the stump.
Can you spot the mysterious shadow creeper?
Next up was the heron's nest by the creek. This nest is east of the main heron rookery and hopefully will escape the vigilant eyes of the Pt. Edwards eagle pair.
Later that afternoon I returned to the hatchery with my son.
Resident male hybrid red/yellow shafted northern flicker. The signature red V on the back of its neck, the mark of a hybrid, is not visible in this photo.
I nearly missed this Steller's jay as it perched very quietly on a tree beside the driveway.
Terry and I were photographing the resident brown creeper hauling nest material to its burrow when Terry noticed a second bird on the stump.
Can you spot the mysterious shadow creeper?
Next up was the heron's nest by the creek. This nest is east of the main heron rookery and hopefully will escape the vigilant eyes of the Pt. Edwards eagle pair.
Later that afternoon I returned to the hatchery with my son.
Resident male hybrid red/yellow shafted northern flicker. The signature red V on the back of its neck, the mark of a hybrid, is not visible in this photo.
I nearly missed this Steller's jay as it perched very quietly on a tree beside the driveway.
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Monday (4/1) Terry and I started our daily rounds of the Edmonds Birdmuda Triangle at the marsh. We noticed some birds fly into one of the pine trees where we have seen the red cross-bills. I got a shot of a small bird which I initially thought was a black-capped chickadee. Judging by the way it was pecking at the cones, I then thought it was a red-breasted nuthatch.
Examination of my camera's viewing screen revealed the bird to be the elusive golden-crowned kinglet.
There were two red cross-bills in the pine tree as well, a female and this male.
One of two killdeer walking around the sidewalk as we left.
The next stop was the fish hatchery to photograph the brown creeper bringing in some kind of fuzz to line its nest.
Examination of my camera's viewing screen revealed the bird to be the elusive golden-crowned kinglet.
There were two red cross-bills in the pine tree as well, a female and this male.
One of two killdeer walking around the sidewalk as we left.
The next stop was the fish hatchery to photograph the brown creeper bringing in some kind of fuzz to line its nest.
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Later that afternoon I discovered that one of the Dunn Lumber osprey pair had returned to their nest in Lynnwood.
I concluded the day's rounds with a stop at Ocean Ave. in Edmonds to photograph the sunset.
Brant in the Sound off Ocean Ave.
About a mile away, one of the Hutt Park eagles was watching the sunset from the family tree.
I concluded the day's rounds with a stop at Ocean Ave. in Edmonds to photograph the sunset.
Brant in the Sound off Ocean Ave.
About a mile away, one of the Hutt Park eagles was watching the sunset from the family tree.
Tuesday (4/3) the light was perfect for photography: slight overcast, diffuse light, no harsh sunlight or shadows.
I started off at the marsh. The water level was high enough shortly before noon to draw two snipes out to feed. Taken from the boardwalk between the #1 and #2 viewing platforms.
5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2x teleconverter, tripod mounted
Snipe #1
Snipe #2
Continue on to page 14 for the day's eagle action.
I started off at the marsh. The water level was high enough shortly before noon to draw two snipes out to feed. Taken from the boardwalk between the #1 and #2 viewing platforms.
5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2x teleconverter, tripod mounted
Snipe #1
Snipe #2
Continue on to page 14 for the day's eagle action.
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The tide went out rapidly in the afternoon leaving the marsh nothing but a mudflat; however, the avian action continued with the eagles putting on a good show.
One of the Pt. Edwards pair was perched at its usual spot on one of the pilings off the Senior Center near the ferry dock.
5D Mk III + 2/8/400L + 2x teleconverter, tripod mounted
One of its feathers flew off after it shook.
It saw a fish and took off
7D + 100-400L telephoto zoom, handheld
Coming in low over the water.
Naturally the camera lost focus the moment the eagle snapped up the fish, but I got a few good shots as it pulled up and returned to a piling.
One of the Pt. Edwards pair was perched at its usual spot on one of the pilings off the Senior Center near the ferry dock.
5D Mk III + 2/8/400L + 2x teleconverter, tripod mounted
One of its feathers flew off after it shook.
It saw a fish and took off
7D + 100-400L telephoto zoom, handheld
Coming in low over the water.
Naturally the camera lost focus the moment the eagle snapped up the fish, but I got a few good shots as it pulled up and returned to a piling.
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The eagle flying back to the other piling.
7D + 100-400L telephoto zoom, handheld
Eating the fish.
5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2x converter, tripod mount
After eating the fish, the eagle took off. I got a phone call from Terry, who reported that he saw the eagle on the pole off Marina Park at the south end of the marina. I drove down to get some more photos.
5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2z converter, tripod mount
7D + 100-400L telephoto zoom, handheld
Eating the fish.
5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2x converter, tripod mount
After eating the fish, the eagle took off. I got a phone call from Terry, who reported that he saw the eagle on the pole off Marina Park at the south end of the marina. I drove down to get some more photos.
5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2z converter, tripod mount
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I could tell by the eagle's body language that it was not going to remain on the pole for very long. Sure enough, it took off.
5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2x teleconverter, tripod mounted
5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2x teleconverter, tripod mounted
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5D Mk III + 2.8/400L + 2x converter, tripod mounted
It flew north over the marina, then headed towards the marsh. I suspect it landed at the puddles on the Unocal grounds where Terry and I have previously photographed it taking a bath.
7D + 100-400L telephoto zoom, handheld
I saw several more eagle flyovers the rest of the afternoon. My last eagle sighting was of this sub-adult perched in a tree east of the Shell Creek Spit. I was walking the beach and missed it on my way north to Shell Creek from Brackett's Landing. To my credit, the numerous crows in the vicinity must not have seen it either as they were busy beach combing at low tide. I didn't pick it up until my return walk back south. It looks like the sub-adult I have photographed perched in a tall fir on Hanna Park Rd. Both locations are in the territory of the Hutt Park pair.
5D Mk III + 100-400L telephoto zoom, handheld
It flew north over the marina, then headed towards the marsh. I suspect it landed at the puddles on the Unocal grounds where Terry and I have previously photographed it taking a bath.
7D + 100-400L telephoto zoom, handheld
I saw several more eagle flyovers the rest of the afternoon. My last eagle sighting was of this sub-adult perched in a tree east of the Shell Creek Spit. I was walking the beach and missed it on my way north to Shell Creek from Brackett's Landing. To my credit, the numerous crows in the vicinity must not have seen it either as they were busy beach combing at low tide. I didn't pick it up until my return walk back south. It looks like the sub-adult I have photographed perched in a tall fir on Hanna Park Rd. Both locations are in the territory of the Hutt Park pair.
5D Mk III + 100-400L telephoto zoom, handheld
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Our local eagles are unapologetic posers, but the snipes in the marsh are difficult to find and photograph.
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photographmemories
New Member
Nice series, Bill.
Man, you're hitting all my favorites, eagles, ospreys, snipes, hummingbirds, good stuff!
Man, you're hitting all my favorites, eagles, ospreys, snipes, hummingbirds, good stuff!
For those who prefer LBJ's over large raptors, here are some shots from yesterday of black-capped chickadees digging for larvae that live inside the cattail heads below the #2 viewing platform of the marsh. I have photographed several other species of birds doing this as well.
Great day, Bill! Love your action shots. Today might be another good day for a serious snipe hunt!
Today Edmonds Parks & Rec is holding their annual Marsh Madness spring break day camp for school kids at the marsh. I recommended to the leader that they be there around noon to take advantage of the birds brought out by the high water. I may go down then to take some PR photos for Parks & Rec, as it puts on a lot of good nature programs throughout the year including the annual Bird Fest.
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Photographing the Edmonds Birdmuda Triangle is an ever-changing experience, as the avian action can vary from day to day and place to place. While our largest birds, the eagles, were nowhere to be seen around the marsh or the marina Wednesday (4/3) afternoon; our smallest birds, the hummers, picked up the slack with photo ops at the fish hatchery and Pt. Edwards walkway.
A female Anna's hummingbird was on the prowl along Willow Creek below the hatchery.
She raided a spider's web....
and stole some bugs.
Hummer action continues on the next page.
A female Anna's hummingbird was on the prowl along Willow Creek below the hatchery.
She raided a spider's web....
and stole some bugs.
Hummer action continues on the next page.
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