The forecast today was “mostly sunny” which had me excited. I woke up at sunrise (a little after 7am) and rushed to the window only to be disappointed. It turns out that “mostly sunny” means you can see most of the sun for part of the day…. Yep, definitely not in New Mexico anymore. Earlier this month Larisa (my fiance) and I packed all our things (including two cats and Raymond) and headed to the Pacific Northwest! Larisa is finishing her Bachelor’s degree through Western Washington University at Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes, WA. She spends her days combing through tide pools, testing algae and showing starfish to school groups (I’m a bit jealous)! While I’m living in Bellingham, WA and exploring the forests and coastline of the northwest! Raymond came with me to help settle in, which turned mostly into checking out the birds for a week!
So far, I’m totally loving it! Yes the skies are gray, yes it rains a lot but being from New Mexico that’s a welcome change! The birds here are GREAT! Nothing like seeing Varied Thrushes every day.
Varied Thrush*
And this part of Washington is the Eurasian Wigeon capital of the continent! I see gorgeous Eurasian Wigeon, often more than one, nearly every time I venture outside. All time high counts for the area for these birds are in the hundreds! Anna’s Hummingbirds serenade me with their furiosus, buzzy songs when I walk down the street and the beautiful honks of Trumpeter Swans (in groups of several hundred) waft through the morning fog.
Eurasian (and American) Wigeon Drake*
For me, the avian highlight so far has been the the water birds. Hundreds of White-winged and Surf Scoters call Bellingham bay their winter home, along with Long-tailed and Harlequin Ducks, Red-throated Loons, Mew Gulls and so many more. Last week I was lucky enough to join an oceanographic cruise through the San Juan Islands. We were treated to hundreds of Common Murres and Ancient Murrelets (a lifer for me)! Along with beautiful looks at Rhinoceros Auklets, Harbor Porpoises and more!
Black Brant*
Rhinoceros Auklet*
Mount Baker outside of Bellingham*
Oh, and best of all, Brants! The Salish Sea is home to thousands of wintering Black and Gray-bellied Brants! These little geese are so cute, honking out in the open water and not to mention stunningly beautiful. Hey, you know what, they would make a great company logo don’t you think!?
All in all, it’s pretty amazing here. The people, the birds, the views, everything! I can’t wait to explore all that the Northwest has to offer and who knows, maybe we’ll have a BRANT Pacific Northwest Tour in the not so distant future!
Cheers and good birding,
*Note that these are not my photos
I completely feel for you. We had non-stop rain for weeks after I moved to Portland. And I didn’t get to see my first Varied Thrush until yesterday. I may venture to Washington before May, I’ll let you know when, maybe you can join me for some water bird ID lessons.
Cheers.
Hey Steve!
Aren’t Varied Thrushes amazing birds? I love them!
Thanks for stopping by the blog and definitely hit me up before you head to my neck of the rainy woods. I’d love to meet up and go birding if I have the time.
I hope Portland is treating you well. If I’m ever in town I’ll make sure and let you know.
In the mean time, keep dry!
-Michael