A rich birding area that Ms. JG and I had not visited before was the “West 90” in the Samish area. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Seattle heading north. Instead of I-5, which would have been faster, we drove through backroads with lush farmlands. Worth it.
There is a bridge next to a famous tree due to the number of eagles that can be seen in it at the same time. We saw 18 — but that’s for another future Bucket.
Follow along with the photos to take part in a Belted Kingfisher’s hunt.
On the lookout for a likely meal.
Aha. I spot something in the shallows.
The takeoff.
The headfirst dive.
Keep my eye on the prize is the goal.
Did I get it?
Time to come up and see.
Cleared the water. But did I get a fish?
zoom If you click the word zoom in red, you can see the bitty fish I caught.
Up to the perch I go to eat my catch.
I use many different perches to search for more food.
Each dive it different. This is my belly flop (actually just exiting water).
I quick shake dries me off.
This is a successful perch.
All these fish are so little.
Getting from being in the water to flying is harder than it looks.
Got a fish. Now to find a place to eat it.
This is a nice perch. I can have this fish down in no time. I need lots of this size to fill me up.
I’ll get close so you can see the fish better. I had a very successful day. zoom
Hey, you. I see you. It’s your turn to add to this Bucket. I want to learn if there are any other birds out there hunting, or just anything happening in your part of the world. Thanks for watching me.