Photo of the Week - February 7, 2014

Photos of the Week
February 7, 2014
A lovely sunny, cold day at NorthPoint
Port of Olympia
Olympia, WA 

The unusually clear and cold weather made for some terrific photo opportunities. When I first arrived, the tide was still high and the diving ducks – Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Scaup – were all near the shore. The Buffleheads were in fine form; the males were busy showing off in preparation for the mating season. Lots of chasing and displaying going on amongst them.

Further out in the bay, dozens of Common Mergansers could be seen swimming and fishing together. A Bald Eagle flew over my head, being chased by three gulls. 
Male Bufflehead taking flight

Male Bufflehead diving

Male Bufflehead in flight

Male Bufflehead taking flight
Killdeer on the beach
As the tide began to recede, three killdeer appeared on the beach. Next, a large flock of Western Sandpipers performed their aerial acrobatics before settling down on the rocky beach to feed. Periodically, the whole throng took flight to avoid a potential threat. 
Western Sandpipers on the beach and landing

Western Sandpipers in flight
Finally, the opportunistic neighbors – Ring-billed gull, Mew gull and Northwestern Crow – arrived to take advantage of the shorebirds’ skills at pulling worms.
Ring-billed gull

Mew Gull

Northwestern Crows