Washington Recap

Good times in Washington. We saw about 100 species of birds, almost 25 of them new ones. It was slow in the woods, so we hit some new ground along the coastlines. Also took a run 35 miles out into the Pacific to the continental shelf and home of some birds that don’t ever make it to land. It’s getting harder to get the lifers, so we’re taking extreme measures.

Skua right ahead! Bird ID was interesting. Seabirds are black, white and grey. Maybe a little dull brown for color. And on a rocking boat, binoculars are semi-useless. So you identify them by flight pattern, behavior, shape and size. Best bird out here was … South Polar Skua which breeds in Antarctica and otherwise roams the seas. We also got to see humpback whales, stellar sea lions and dall porpoises riding our bow wave. Of the 20 folks aboard, two got seasick. Not us. Cool.

Got to visit great-uncle Cecil and great-aunt Alyce. 97 and 91 years young, still living at home. Northwest living has been good to them. Cec admits to slowing down a bit and tiring of writing for the local paper. Was very nice of cousin Mary Alice to show us around Whidbey Island and make dinner for all!

Looked up college buddy Doug and family for an evening. Great folks, great hosts, great to get caught up on the happenings. We promise to keep in touch.

Best of the trip was we were able to sleuth some birds successfully. Red Crossbills on Hurricane Ridge. Took a trip on a hook out from Port Townsend. Bang! Six lifers. I imagine the Black Oystercatcher is the kind of bird the adolescent sandpipers bring home as a date, just to rattle the parents.