Western Gull looking for dinner in the surf of the Pacific OceanGot a crab!He keep dropping this crab in the ocean and picking it up again“I think I will go eat it now!”Can just make out a crab leg
Photos taken, August 3, 2014, while we were staying at Fort Steven’s State Park in Astoria, Oregon.
Joining Stewart at http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/2014/09/wild-bird-wednesday-112-kittiwake-black.html
I am happy to share with you my sightings of these beautiful curlews. These photos were taken on a cloudy and windy day, July 14, 2014, while walking on the beach at Bullards Beach State Park in Bandon, Oregon.
Watching
The Whimbrel is the commonest curlew, which escaped the destruction suffered by other curlews at the hands of early gunners, probably because the species migrates chiefly over water. Its nesting habitat in Canada and Alaska hasn’t been disturbed so its numbers are stable. It is easily identified by its large size, distinctive head stripes, and decurved bill. It is a monogamous breeder and occasionally nests in loose colonies. (info taken from several birding books)
GlidingSearching
This was my first sighting of these Whimbrels, making it number 369 on my Birding Life List. It was exciting seeing these Whimbrels searching for food and taking flight along the shore of the Pacific Ocean. It was an extra special walk, this July day, because hubby and I were were accompanied by friends.
We spent our last day visiting Glacier National Park hiking along Avalanche Creek to Avalanche Lake. It is a gorgeous, gorgeous area filled with Red Cedar, Black Cottonwood, Hemlock trees and much more. Some of these trees can live to be a 1000 years old. One can not walk among them without being in awe of their beauty and feeling their strength.
Sights from our hike…
A canyon of red argillite rockRed Berries along the trail.Moss covered forest floorNursery TreeWater, the gift of life
Tall, strong, beautiful treesBeautiful mountains surround Avalanche Lake
Avalanche lake sits at the base of 8694-foot Bearhat Mountain, which rises almost 4800 feet above the lake towards the northeast. The mountain dominating the view towards the south is 7886-foot Little Matterhorn. If you look closely at the cliffs and mountains that surround the lake you’ll notice several long waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet as they make their way towards the lake. (info taken from the web)
Three WaterfallsBearhat MountainAvalanche! Named for the numerous avalanches that roar down the surrounding mountains in the spring!
In the morning we head home. We leave Glacier with sadness, happy hearts and fond memories. Will we return? You bet!
Two hikes today, John’s Lake and Trail of the Cedar’s. These two areas are spectacular!! If you ever visit Glacier, these two hikes are a must!
Beautiful clouds this morning over McDonald LakeLake McDonaldJohn’s LakeJohn’s LakeLily Pads on John’s LakeA Spider’s Web we Weave
Moss covered fallen treeMoss RockMoss covered Red Cypress TreeTrail of the Cedar’s
Tomorrow is our last day in Glacier National Park. We plan to go on a hike to Glacier Lake. It has been a wonderful week; experiences we will treasure the rest of our lives.
You never know what you will see when you happen to look down!
As we were walking across a bridge over McDonald Creek today in Glacier National Park, we saw a most usual sight. A bride laying in the water! I only took this one photo of her and I hope she didn’t care.
Wolf Song Blog 