week 11

the herons

Dozens of nests sat in over a group of 20 or so trees. Blue herons reposed in most of them. It is an awesome sight to find a heronry. Generally these birds are solitary. However, they may nest together for safety and convenience. To see them in such a group is amazing.
We have been watching such a community for several years. It is behind the King County animal shelter on the Green River conservation area. Every year since we discovered it, we have gone to spy on this wonderful site. There is no real parking spot for this place so we can't pause more than a few minutes. That's long enough to take a few pictures.  Then we drive around to the conservation. It's a fabulous place to see Raptor birds and ducks. Robins and red wing blackbirds, starlings and other familiars to me enjoy this place. Finally, we drive across the street to the Kent Boeing ponds. More ducks serenely float, swim, and bob on sparkling water.
This was my adventure birding this past week. We don't do it often because the girls (dogs)aren't allowed on the conservation. But the list for this experience is impressive.
1.      Blue herons
2.      2 Hawks
3.      bufflehead ducks
4.      Mergansers
5.      mallards
6.      pigeons
7.      crows
8.      vireo
9.      Robins
10.   Seagulls
11.   Starlings
I'm still not getting too many great pictures do to that broken arm. But I look forward to next year when I can do better. Or maybe I'll go back in a few weeks ….

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