This listing is in reverse chronological order. It starts with the most recent entry and goes backward in time. The best way to read it is to start with the last entry you've previously read and continue to read forward until you reach the present. That way you get a better sense of the flow of the seasons.
MAY 18, 1997:Spent the weekend on San Juan Island visiting the ORCAS of J-Pod, who are now in residence for the summer on the island's west side. Sunday night was the best...sitting on the rocky slopes above the water, a gorgeous golden sunset blazing over the Gulf Islands, not a whisper of a breeze. The only sound: the exhaling of the orcas as they surfaced to breath and, occasionally, when their evening play got boisterous, the resounding slap of a huge tail on the water. It was sublime. No boats, no other people -- just us and the J's.
APRIL 14, 1997:
Sorry I haven't added to the sightings log for awhile - just got too busy. Much is happening as winter turns to spring. All the birds and animals are thinking about mating, nest building, migrating, and other seasonal imperatives. Many of the birds that overwinter in our saltwater environment are gathering together, often in great flocks, preparing to migrate to inland lake and pond environments.
One welcome visitor today is a COMMON LOON, sporting its sharp black and white breeding colors. This is a rare sighting here, and indicates this bird will very shortly be migrating inland to breed. Those of you who live in inland North America only see the loon in this grand plumage, but all loons spend their winters in coastal saltwater, where their winter plumage is a lightish gray and white. They aren't nearly so distinctive in this garb, but are still a most beautiful and fascinating bird. Their summer sojourn on inland lakes and ponds is undertaken in order to provide a safer environment for the birthing and fledging of their young, which they actually carry on their backs for the first several weeks of their lives.
Another fine seasonal sight on Puget Sound today is a large raft of SEA LIONS. They, too, are probably preparing to head south to their mating grounds. The California Sea Lions we have here are all males, part of a general expansion of their range due to lessened human predation in recent years, coupled with depletion of certain fisheries in their home range. "Rafting" is what they do when a large number assemble - today about 7 or 8 - and float together in a vaguely interconnected water ballet, lolling about with flippers in the air, with occasional bursts of activity that include breeching, barking and mock battles. My guess is that their hormones are surging, and that they will soon be heading out to the Pacific Coast to swim southward to join others of their kind - including females.
FEBRUARY 24, 1997:
The BLUE HERON pairs continue to perfect their nests. They seem to play two roles: builder and gatherer. The builder generally remains in the nest while the gatherer ventures out to find the perfect ingredient needed at the moment--a twig, some mud, maybe a dried seed pod from a nearby tree. All the delicate precision that is normally employed in the patient art of fishing is brought into play as the gathering heron perches on the slenderest of branches, craning its neck and extending its long pointed beak to reach out and gently pluck the item it seeks, performing these tightrope maneuvers without even the slightest quiver. The gatherer then returns to the nest and passes the materials to the builder, who works them into the nest as needed.
Day after day this process continues as the herons make ready for their young. Each pair seems to add its own little touches as they strive to fashion a nest that will provide a safe enclosure for their soon-to-arrive babies. Every precaution is taken to ensure that none of their fast-growing but awkward offspring will fall from their treetop nursery.
FEBRUARY 21, 1997:
BLUE HERONS continue to return to their birthplace to bring more
herons into the world. There are now countless herons in the Peasley Canyon
Rookery. Much nest improvement is going on. They are going at it in a very
industrious fashion, often working as a team, with one flying off and
returning with twigs and branches, while the other weaves them into the
nest. Thus are the nests that have been in their families for countless
generations kept in good repair.
A few momentary gestures that could even be construed as affection are seen to pass between these extremely reserved birds. For example, when one returns to the nest, the other may reach over and groom the other's feathers for just an instant. These birds are, by nature, solitary and very self-contained, and males and females are virtually identical. I saw one particular display that was quite touching: Two herons stood in their nest, face-to-face, and arched their necks and bodies upward in unison while flapping their wings. It only took a half-second, and then they were still again. A heron kiss?
FEBRUARY 18, 1997:Went to the rally at the Japanese embassy in downtown Seattle today. It went very well, and many of the best- known and most loyal friends of the wild ORCAS were there. Met Mark Sears, one of the most experienced orca-watchers in the Seattle area, and he is going to send me a list of recent sightings. It seems J-Pod has been to the Seattle-Tacoma area quite often this winter. Will log the dates into the website when I receive them.
After the rally, I talked to a woman at a nearby espresso stand. She was unaware of the rally, but sure did know about the whale capture. She seldom watches TV, she told me, but last night her daughter called from the living room, "Mom, come quick!" She found her little girl in tears, watching news footage of the poor orcas, wailing and crying in distress, surrounded by wet-suited humans, tied up and struggling helplessly. The mother was likewise heartstruck by their agony, and carried it with her today. "Don't let anybody tell you people don't care about this- -they care a lot," she told me. These orcas must be restored to their family NOW!
Click HERE to see a picture of the ORCA KIDNAPPING that took place on February 7 in Japan.
Sea Lion Update:
The news media were also carrying a story today about the steelhead run this year being stronger than last, and attributing it to less predation by CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (These are the common type of sea lion that are sometimes trained to balance a ball on the end of their nose, etc.) Last spring three of the most dominant males were captured and deported to Sea World in Florida. Hondo, the half-ton "King of the Puget Sound Sea Lions" died there within about a month. Today's news story asserted that removing these three particular animals was all it took to cure the problem with the steelhead run, which has more to do with engineering than nature, i.e. a lock and fish ladder problem. What most close observers of Puget Sound marine wildlife know, however, and what the media has failed to report, is that a large number of sea lions have been shot and killed during the past year, their bodies later washing ashore. This is a serious violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The
young males of this species have been migrating into our area for a number of years due to a man- caused disruption in the aquatic food chain further south.
A gray rainy day. Lots of BARROW'S GOLDENEYE and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS in Elliott Bay today. A BALD EAGLE is sitting quietly in the nesting tree; perhaps the other is in the nest.
FEBRUARY 17: I mentioned before that the BALD EAGLE pair have been scarce as of late, and thought that perhaps they'd gone up north to the Skagit Valley, where thousands gather to feed this time of year. But today I caught a quick glimpse of an eagle landing in the nest. It's so deep that he/she couldn't be seen once inside. We'll have to wait and see. Tonight the two resident HARBOR SEALS at the Seacrest Fishing Pier have grown to four. They were quite active--leaping onto the dock, waddling about, and plunging back into the water--and were a lot of fun to watch.
FEBRUARY 16: Today a few moments of high drama were experienced at Alki Beach as an immature BALD EAGLE (mostly dark brown with white flecks) captured SOMETHING in its talons, causing a huge uproar among the GULL community. They noisily chased him all around the bay, until he finally swooped down and, almost gently, laid his catch on the surface of the water. I never could tell what it was, except that it was quite large and not a fish. Perhaps a gull? I don't know. It floated after finally being surrendered, but was too far away to identify. A chastened young eagle...
Also, this past weekend we've visited some of the wetland and estuarine habitats within the city of Seattle and have enjoyed seeing various ducks, geese and songbirds. Most common were COOTS, CANADA GEESE, MERGANSERS (both HOODED and RED- BREASTED), CANVASBACKS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, MALLARDS, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. The sounds and smells of spring are upon us! Updates on other locals: The two HARBOR SEALS previously mentioned seem to be pretty much living at the Seacrest Fishing Pier; haven't seen the BALD EAGLE pair lately.
FEBRUARY 13: A few of the HERONS are now standing intently inside their nests. Perhaps the eggs have been laid, or are about to be.
FEBRUARY 7: Many more BLUE HERONS have gathered at the Peasley Canyon rookery. Today there were a dozen pairs or more. These are solitary birds, and they maintain their sense of separateness and solitude even in the crowded rookery, where they are often only a few feet apart from one another. They stand poised in the nests and branches, doing a bit of repair work here and there; but, for the most part, they are still and vigilant. Not a sound is uttered, and an atmosphere of waiting prevails. Occasionally, hunger drives a heron to take to the air and embark on a feeding trip. It doesn't appear that the eggs have yet been laid.
FEBRUARY 3: Two HARBOR SEALS were hauled out (resting out of the water) at the Seacrest Fishing Pier on Elliott Bay today. One was the elderly seal previously mentioned, plump and yellowish in color, with the cloudy eye; the other was a new one to me: an adult, somewhat lanky, whitish with dark spots, but very dirty on one side with oil or some other type of crud from the bay. While I was visiting, three young men about 19 years of age began throwing rocks at the seals from the shore, causing them some consternation. I got the lads' attention, staring hard at them until they stopped throwing rocks, and then hung around until they left.
FEBRUARY 1-2: Spent the weekend on ORCAS ISLAND, part of the San Juan archipelego, a beautiful mountainous isle of about 57 square miles. No significant mammal sightings - only one Harbor Seal; several good bird sightings, though. On the way up, we traveled to the delta of the Stillaguamish River to check out a reported concentration of SNOWY OWLS. Saw five of them in the same place at the same time. At the Lopez Island ferry dock we saw a PACIFIC LOON.
Once on Orcas Island, we saw many RING-NECKED DUCKS, two HOODED MERGANSERS, and a lovely pair of TRUMPETER SWANS. These were in addition to numerous waterfowl previously noted. BUFFLEHEADS were especially plentiful, CORMORANTS, too. Lesser numbers of COMMON MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and HARLEQUIN DUCK. Oh, yes, and a pair of soaring BALD EAGLES, too.
JANUARY 30: Paid a visit to one of the HARBOR SEALS currently residing near the fishing dock. He or she is an elder seal, and spends much time resting. A cloudy eye, apparently caused by a cataract, is my reason for deducing this is a seal of advanced age. Nevertheless, like all seals, he/she is extremely vigilant, even in repose, continually looking about and monitoring the surroundings so as not to be caught unawares by some dangerous entity.
The eagle nest appears larger, neater and generally more substantial. Nearby, on two separate trees with commanding views of the bay and city, are the mated BALD EAGLES, watching and preening. Apparently no eggs have been yet laid. We remain hopeful that eaglets will be fledged this season.
The Otter's Repast... Standing by the window this dark night, I am drawn outside, to the beach. I feel that something is out there. At first, the lapping waves are featureless; then, a slight ripple suggests an underwater presence. Suddenly, a small flat head appears, followed by a long, undulating back. It is a RIVER OTTER, swimming toward the shore. Soon it waddles onto the beach and lies in the gently rolling surf while munching on a small flounder it has caught. The otter is thus absorbed for several minutes, until a glance down the beach reveals some unseen danger, causing it to slip back into the sea. I walk down to examine the remains of its abandoned meal, and catch the briefest glimpse of the strange sideways face before, without warning, large waves begin to break, and the little flounder, too, is gone...
JANUARY 29: A visit to the rookery confirms my suspicions: The first BLUE HERONS are seen this morning readying their nest in the rookery at the foot of Peasley Canyon, he rearranging and repairing the nest with his long sharp beak, while she stands sentinel, a huge bird clinging to the tiniest branch at the top of the tree -- a seemingly impossible balancing act, but she doesn't falter even for a second. Occasionally the male stands up in the center of the nest, arching his neck and pointing his beak skyward. This display behavior tells me which is which, since male and female herons are identical in appearance.
JANUARY 28: I am awakened very late at night -- perhaps 4:00 a.m. by the ear-splitting screams of a BLUE HERON. Normally their call is a throaty squawk, usually repeated three times as they take to the air. Tonight's wake-up call consists of 7-8 extremely loud and shrill shrieks. It is almost time for the herons to retire to their rookeries and rear their young. I suspect that this unusual type of call can mean nothing else.
JANUARY 25: HARBOR SEALS continue to be a common sighting on the Elliott Bay side of the Duwamish Peninsula, where we live. Swimming, feeding seals are a common sight, but we seldom see them hauled out on land, and this is what we're seeing much of lately. Am beginning to recognize several individuals.
JANUARY 20: The BALD EAGLE pair is now often seen at their nest overlooking Elliott Bay. It is directly across the street from popular Salty's Restaurant and enjoys a commanding view of the Seattle downtown skyline.
JANUARY 15: A friendly HARBOR SEAL has taken up residence at boat launching dock on Elliott Bay opposite downtown Seattle. He is most tolerant of humans, lounging at the end of the dock, totally unruffled as fishermen land their boats only a few feet away and walk on the dock. A curious and not-unfriendly dog approaches, perhaps thinking him to be a fellow canine. Tolerant he may be, but into the water he went.
DECEMBER 29: The storm is finally over, and now it is only raining. Saw one of the BALD EAGLE pair roosting in their nesting tree again today . . .
DECEMBER 28: Still in the midst of Puget Sound's largest snowstorm in many a year, with about a foot of snow on the ground and hundreds of thousands of people without electricity. Since snow is so uncommon here, and the terrain quite steep, there is little activity; strangely, however, many people seem towant to come to the beach.
So do the birds. The heavy snow has made foraging difficult inland, but the intertidal shoreline - the area between the high tide and low tide marks - is always a reliable source of edibles for many species. All the usual species are down there feeding today: more different kinds of gulls than ever: even saw a few RING-BILLED GULLS, in addition to numerous GLAUCOUS-WINGED, WESTERN & MEW GULLS. Flocks of tiny SANDERLINGS are busily scurrying at wave's edge. Also an uncommon visitor to our shoreline: KILLDEER; much more common inland, the snow must've driven them to the saltwater shore in search of a meal. Oh, yes -- as always, crows and pigeons, too.
Near shore today we see large WESTERN GREBES, much smaller HORNED GREBES, BUFFLEHEADS, AMERICAN WIDGEONS, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, SURF SCOTERS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, as well as the less common BLACK SCOTERS. A HARBOR SEAL was out front earlier, with his nose straight up in the air for a half hour or so, until he drifted out of sight. Perhaps he had something stuck in his throat -- hope he's OK.
DECEMBER 26: Another winter storm brings Puget Sound to a standstill . . .
DECEMBER 23: Spent a few days in Vancouver, British Columbia, and, while there, visited the Pacific Northwest's OTHER captive ORCAS - Finna & Bjossa - at the Vancouver Aquarium. Also saw White Wings, their really cool PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN tankmate, in addition to the BELUGA WHALE family (the baby is over a year old now) and also STELLAR'S SEA LIONS, SEA OTTERS, an OCTOPUS and many other sea creatures. I plan to add a page on Finna & Bjossa after I get my photos developed.
DECEMBER 14: Saw this season's first flock of BRANTS, a smaller cousin of the CANADA GOOSE. Brants are spring and fall migrants in our area, with some overwintering on shallow bays. They are mostly dark in color and can be identified by a somewhat irregular white "necklace" on their othewise black necks. They are easy to spot and act much like their larger cousins. Like all geese, the smallish Brants are themselves large in comparison to other birds, with an adult wing span of 46 inches.
DECEMBER 9: Our resident BALD EAGLE pair is seen at their nest for the first time this year; also found a SKATE (deceased) on the beach at Lincoln Park, a few miles south of here. Skates are a peculiar looking fish resembling a STINGRAY, but harmless