Here’s a set of photos I took this morning at Birch Bay State Park in WA. It was a veritable breakfast buffet on the beach for various birds. Herons were chowing down on several kinds of fish, and what appeared to be lamprey. Gulls were rooting out clams, carrying them up and then dropping them to break them open. An eagle sat overlooking the breakfast scene while being harassed by a crow. Stimulating morning on the beach!
There are lots of deer in state parks on Whidbey Island that are fairly accustomed to people. The ones we’ve seen have been wary, and not overly tame, but confident enough to get good photos.
I think we’ve seen the following one twice in about as many weeks at Fort Ebey State Park. Same area, same size, same behavior.
Out in the open above, and nearly concealed between the tree at bottom right below.
I “shot” this hawk couple on their nest on a rural road in southern Alberta back in 2009.
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I’ve been asked several times over the years if this is a photo of a diorama in some museum. It’s definitely a live shot.
I saw the nest as I was slowly cruising down a rural road. It was likely the Red Coat Trail, or a parallel road nearby.
I spotted the nest, drove past it in an attempt to allay suspicions, and slowly wandered back toward it, hiding any equipment, as hawks are very shy of anything that looks like a “projection” or rifle.
I slowly angled into the ditch and eventually snapped several shots, but the parents were getting agitated, so I backed off.
Just in time. The male swooped me seconds later as I was backing away, but seeing that I was already retreating, he stayed 5-10 meters above me.
An exhilarating experience, but one that also respected the birds. As soon as I knew I was intruding, I backed off.
If you try this, please give them their space, too. Thanks!
This photo never made it onto my old blog because of server issues. Here’s hoping my new blog running on WordPress handles it OK.
I believe that’s a Western Tiger Swallowtail. Photo shot on New Westminster, BC, Quay Promenade.