Hi Kay: I hope you find some Brants on your next photo trip. Thanks for bringing the other item to my attention,
I've replied to Judy in the phantom thread. -- Ed

Yesterday I made another visit to the Padilla Shore Trail in the Skagit Valley. It was relatively quiet with a few of the regular suspects around. * Click photos bigger *

Padilla Shore Trail * 3-4-10
Green Winged Teal


A passing Eagle


Trumpeter Swans with Anacortes refinery in background

A pair of mature Eagles in a snag near the Padilla Bay Shore Trail.
3-4-10

Fir Island Reserve * Skagit Valley * 3-4-10
This is a reserve near Conway, Washington. There is a short easy trail, but mostly it is just a spot from which to view the geese.
Other birds seen during my visit included .... Great Blue Herons, American Widgeons, Flickers, Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers, & Pintails

Hundreds of Snow Geese * click bigger *

Fir Island Reserve * Skagit Valley * 3-4-10

Note the lines of geese in flight. * click bigger *





Snow geese in flight

Fir Island Reserve * Skagit Valley * 3-4-10

Snow Geese in flight * click bigger *


Eagle nest with adult pair as seen from the parking lot. A local told me that last year they had two eaglets. Eggs were laid in late March, last year.


Field of daffodils a few miles from the Fir Island Reserve in Skagit Valley.

Hello Doug:

I enjoyed your report from Fir Island. It’s also one of my favorite places for snow geese and the eagles in the tree. Last year, I was able to get photos of two eaglets in the nest in June, but by early July one eaglet was left. I believe it may have fallen out of the nest. There’s some discussion of this in the archived Semiahmoo thread in May, June and July of last year. The daffodils are early, and I’m sure the tulips are right behind. I’ve still got to get to Padilla Bay on our next trip down that way. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but there’s another often overlooked area near Fir Island. Turn left after you leave the reserve where the eagle nest is, and get back on the main road. In about a mile or so, you’ll come to Snow Goose Produce. Continue past this, and then take the first left and you’ll go down a road that dead ends. Park here and then walk out onto the dirt trails. It’s probably a mile or so out through the marsh before you get to Skagit Bay. You’ll probably see eagles and Northern Harriers, but be on the lookout for short-eared owls. They blend into all the driftwood, but I’ve been able to see them on two trips last year about this time. There are usually other photographers there who can give you an idea of what’s going on with the wildlife. Happy trails. -- Ed.

Semiahmoo Spit County Park, 3-5-10. This is a favorite area for sunsets, and I’ve been fortunate to get some photos of eagles with red skies in the background. No such luck today, but I’ve found the county has placed a new sign about wildlife in the area (first photo). Brants arrived about 10 days ago and are usually feeding in Drayton Harbor. These Brants, however, are in Semiahmoo Bay on the ocean side of the Semiahmoo Spit. Clickables