Towheeblog

Our third day of the Golden Gate Audubon Pacific Northwest trip included a ferryboat ride, a cormorant trifecta in one place and a raptor rodeo on the Skagit Flats.  There was a feeding frenzy in the ocean channel between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island.  Among the birds gathered were many Rhino Auklets.  There were at least four Marbled Murrelets as well. Later at Skagit we had numerous Bald Eagles including two on nests, at least three Rough-legged Hawks, Harriers galore including one male and three Sh0rt-eared Owls on their late afternoon hunt.I just can’t turn away from a Harlequin.  This guy was with his mate at Keystone Ferry Terminal on Whidbey Island.  The light was good enough to show the russet side-walls.  These auklets were among many seen from the headlands at Fort Casey Park on Whidbey.