ST. PAT'S DAY PARADE IN THE SKAGIT DELTA

A sunny, warmish St. Pat's day in the Skagit Delta......Swans were scattered and likely the last to migrate north.  Thousands of Snow Geese remain for a few more days or weeks.  One Bittern crossed the road in front of our lunch spot but only allowed a few camera shots once back in the new ground cover.  A few raptors, herons, and LBJ's.  Visibility unlimited.....as the images attest.

 

American Bittern
 



RIVER OTTER AND DUNLIN AT ALKI

Another river otter made an appearance at Alki....with a tasty sculpin in its jaws.  Likely the fish was a Red Irish Lord.  This otter has a pink area on its right hind foot.  This could be a growth or injury of something completely different.  Otto, (February 2015) had a pink growth on his left hind foot.  It was not possible to see this otter's left hind foot so it might be Otto with more pink....or maybe a different otter...no way to tell yet.
While the Surfbirds and Black Turnstones are still around at Alki they were joined by a flock of Dunlin today....first time this year I've seen that mixed flock. 
The Gang of Harbor Seals was down to 5 off Seacrest today....but there may be more around.