Red and Green

This old barn sits in the Skagit Valley in Washington. It is surrounded by newer barns sitting very close to it.

Portions of its roof are missing and it appears to be losing the battle with the encroaching moss.

The weight of the cupola appears to be too much of a load and its roof sags.

Many newer roofs in the rainy Puget Sound area are covered in moss but it's clear this one has been there for a while. I imagine it is still used for storage while the newer barns on either side of it handle more of the day to day work of the farm.
Click on the barn above to check out more old barns at Barn Charm, hosted by Tricia.

A Collection of Waterfowl

While we were in the Seattle area we saw a variety of birds that hang out around Puget Sound. I took these photos of Surf Scoters when we had pulled onto the ferry to Vashon Island and were waiting for the ferry to finish loading and take off. This looks to be a first year juvenile.

There was a group of about a dozen, and this photo shows a couple females with the more colorful males.

While we were at Washington Park on Fidalgo Island we saw a lone Black Oystercatcher patiently standing on the rocks waiting for tidbits to wash in with the water.

At Bay View State Park on Padilla Bay I saw a couple of Buffleheads.

Trying to get a little closer to them I spooked them and they flew away across the water.
Of course, whenever you are in the Seattle area you see a large number of Gulls. There seemed to be a meeting of some sort going on here, but it looked like many meetings I have attended that included a lot of standing around.

The Eagles Nest

One of the most incredible things we saw when we were in Washington was an Eagles nest. We were driving along one of the country roads, and there in a big tree right behind a house was a huge nest. In this photo you can see two Eagles, one perched at the very top. That will give you some idea of the size of the tree and the nest a third of the way down the tree. It was huge! I think there was room for a kitchen, bath, and several bedrooms. An Eagle's nest is normally about five feet across but is reused year to year and over the years some become enormous, up to nine feet across and weighing two tons.

Imagine having these guys nesting in your backyard!

These first shots were taken on a partly sunny day and there were just two Eagles hanging around.

We first saw the nest the day before on a rainy day and there were a number of Eagles perched in the branches of the tree and the surrounding trees. Unfortunately the lighting wasn't great that day so I've brightened these next photos up. However, there was a lot of activity going on.

The Eagles flew around a bit showing off their dramatic coloring.

They even spent some time in the nest, although it isn't time for them to lay their eggs. They looked like they might have had some food in the nest that they were working on.

As you can see, the nest is big enough for a good-sized family, although the clutch size is normally one to three eggs. In the Pacific Northwest eggs are laid in late March or early April.

Eagles are really quite impressive when they spread their wings and fly!

In Interior Alaska we only see Eagles in the summer, and then not usually the close encounters we had in the Skagit Valley. If you ever find yourself there in December or January, head out on some of the country roads. Along with the Bald Eagles, Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swans also overwinter there in large numbers. It provides some wonderful birding opportunities.

Eagles in the Skagit Valley

Many birds overwinter in the Skagit Valley of Washington. As we drove around the farming country that makes up much of the valley we saw a lot of Bald Eagles. We were fortunate to have one day that was partly sunny and so I was able to get some decent shots.

There were a lot of birds still in their juvenile plumage. It takes five years to acquire the distinctive white head and tail of the adult.

The eagle's wingspan is about 6-1/2 feet so they really get your attention when they fly.

You see the eagles perched in the trees, but many of them perch on the telephone poles.

They didn't seem to be too concerned with human activity around them.

Some of the perches didn't look substantial enough for such a large bird.

They were enjoying the flooded conditions of the fields because it brought many little critters up out of the ground and provided good opportunities for a meal. Tomorrow I'll post some shots of the huge nest we saw.

We're Back Home

We flew north last night and arrived back in Fairbanks about 10 p.m. It had been cold while we were gone, down to -40F, but it's warmed up and the highs and lows are in the the zero range.
Shortly before we left the Redpolls had started coming back to our feeders. We had maybe a dozen or so. They all invited their friends and extended families and there was a lot of activity at the feeders all day long.

I'd better put more thistle seed on my shopping list!

A Fish Tale

Today is a good day for a little fishing. I think we caught some good ones!

I'm not quite sure what kind of fish they are.

I've never seen any quite like these before.

Maybe we should have went a little further from the dock to fish!

New Lake in the Fields

Wednesday was a dry day, but the result of all the rain in the Skagit Valley was apparent in many fields around the area. One that we saw looked like a beautiful lake. Pintails and Mallards were enjoying all the water.

This fence looks like it is trying to hold back the water, but very unsuccessfully.

As happy as all the birds are with the new lake, and as beautiful a scene as it created, I'm sure the people who live close to it are not as enchanted with the lakeside view.

The dry day helped with the water levels, but since then there have been a couple more rainy days. This morning is cloudy with a bit of sun peeking out now and then, but so far no more rain. The forecast shows some sun, but also a little light rain. Hopefully the rain will hold off and let things dry out a bit.

Dance of the Sandpipers

Yesterday the rain stopped and the day was partly cloudy, but with enough sunshine that made for a good day for a Skagit Valley photo shoot. My very patient driver Marty and I set out and drove along many of the local roads. Late in the afternoon we spotted a huge flock of birds flying around a field that had been flooded. We pulled off on a side road to get a better view.

The flooded field was obviously providing some good treats for what I think are Western Sandpipers, but if anyone has a better ID please let me know.

They would spend a while between flights feeding on the ground, probably insects that were washed up in the flooded field.

There was much coming and going, and the sun sparkled off the birds and the water.

What a fun party they were having!

The real excitement happened when they all took to the air and flew in a wonderful synchronized ballet.

The still photos gave a good view of the activity, but I used my little camera to take a video. That provides the best view of all.

Driftladder

Skagit Valley Barn

We drove around today in the Skagit Valley in Washington. It was a rainy day so the light was subdued. This is one of the old barns we saw.

We started our Washington visit on Vashon Island and then drove up to Mt. Vernon last night. I've photographed many lovely old barns, a lighthouse, birds, and other interesting things that I will be posting later.

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Check out other old barns at Barn Charm hosted by Tricia.