Unusual Cetaceans in Puget Sound 2010-2012

Puget Sound has welcomed a few unusual visitors from 2010 through now.  Four species of cetaceans not normally seen in Puget Sound have been observed:   Risso's Dolphin, Long-beaked Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin and Brydes Whale.  In addition the Harbor Porpoise has made a come back in Central and Southern Puget Sound after being absent for decades.  Images courtesy NOAA.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/

Bryde's Whale

Bottlenose Dolphin

Long-Beaked Common Dolphin

Risso's Dolphin

Orcas and Cormorants Feb 2012

Resident Orcas today 2-9-12 off Seattle's Alki beach......about 1.5 miles from shore, moving north.
3 adult males in group.
Also some chatty Cormorants at Alki.....conversation as you suspected all along.

Birds of Winter

I'm back......gee time flies.....seems like only yesterday we were calling today, tomorrow.
Fall road trip to the southwest distracted me from Puget Sound stuff (I highly recommend the Balloon Festival in New Mexico).  And since I've been back I notice things this winter are rather quiet compared to last. Fewer winter birds in Seattle area and fewer sea lions. Sea lions are turning up dead with bullet holes in them.....and no arrests.
So it's me off to Nisqually NWR and Skagit Delta and Boundary Bay B.C. for some winter bird watching. Nisqually was great during the chum salmon run on the river earlier with Bald Eagles in large numbers....50+ on the reserve....that has cooled off now and most eagles have moved on.
Skagit Delta trips turned up lots of Swans, and Snow Geese as expected as well as a very cooperative Short-eared Owl. Boundary Bay B.C (take your passport), produced lots of Snowy Owls but very poor viewing weather with high wind and sideways rain.....but well worth the drive in any weather

Paria Canyon

Balloon Festival New Mexico

Learning to weave....I do it all over the highway so how hard can it be?

Bristle Cone Pine....older than me.

Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney

.

Northern Harrier Female

Short-eared Owl

Skagit Delta

Short-eared Owl

Snow Geese

Snowy Owl

Bald Eagle

Red-winged Blackbird sign of Spring

Snowy Owls

Snow Geese

Hooded Merganser





Crowded Shores

Lincoln Park was busy today.......wall to wall, back to back, side to side people all with the same thing in mind.....SALMON!  While this will be a big Pink Salmon year....6 million expected back in Puget Sound, these fishermen...(no not sexist...only guys were seen fishing)...seemed to be doing OK.  However some of the fishermen were fishing illegal without salmon card, or license, or with illegal gear.  A sting operation was launched by WDFW officers and a number of offenders were caught......SO BE LEGAL.


The Salmon Mob



Seal no rest area



Land Salmon




Bingo

Outriggers at Alki Beach

In a last desperate attempt to salvage something of a summer in Western Washington the State has purchased a month of Hawaiian weather for August.  The State will send all the receipts for the sale of Kona Coffee in WA to Hawaii in return for the Hawaiian weather.  On July 30 fifteen Outrigger Canoes, after a long paddle, landed at Alki Beach Park and presented the Hawaiian Weather Certificate to ecstatic West Seattle residents.
To help seal the deal, free Mai Tais were provided to the canoe crews in hopes of ensuring the blessings of all the Hawaiian deities.  I know I felt very good about the deal after my 7th Mai Tai...and everything else including the national debt.
Everything seems to be working as a rainy July 31st was followed by a sunny and warm August 1st with a 10 day forecast of sunny and 70's for Seattle.  You can bet I will be drinking lots of Kona coffee.  :)

War Canoes at Alki and Swinomish

Native American and First Nations tribes visited the Muckleshoot Tribe of Washington and landed at Alki Beach in Seattle on 7-21 and departed the beach with the permission of the Muckleshoot Tribe on the Paddle to Swinomish voyage which will see a celebration at the Swinomish Tribal lands beginning Monday and ending on the 31st.  The departure from Alki Beach was something to see......

http://paddletoswinomish.com/