Sequim Daily Photo

More avian “LBJs”

I’m a rank beginner when it comes to identifying birds and have only lately tried photographing the smaller ones. I’ve known people who’ve broadly classified them as “LBJs,” Little Brown Jobs. I’ve cracked open a couple of bird books and done my best here. This one looks like a white-crowned sparrow to me.

I should stick with “LBJ” for this one but I’ll stick my neck out and suggest it’s a Savannah sparrow. I know. It looks a lot like yesterday’s finches. But it’s got a bigger eye with white around it and there’s some pink on its bill. Anyone who knows better is very welcome to comment and set the record straight.

Birdsong

First we came upon this sweet tweet singing its little heart out, quite a lovely song. I’m fairly certain it’s a female house finch, Carpodacus mexicanus. Update: This may be a fox sparrow. [Thank you, Ken.]

Then, not much further along the trail, here was another one singing away just as beautifully. Birds typically sing to establish their territories, so I guess we encountered a birdie version of “This land is your land, this land is my land.”

And if I’ve given you an earworm with this Woody Guthrie song, my apologies. Click here if you want the rest of the lyrics.

The repurposed birdbath

I thought the deer was headed for my soon-to-bloom dahlias so I threw back the door, stood in the doorway, clapped my hands, and shouted, “SHOO!” The deer gave me a calm, wide-eyed look. Then she hopped up and started drinking. When she was done she gave me another look as if to say, “Hey, could you get out here and keep this thing a little more full?” Really!

A return to Fort Flagler

We camped at Fort Flagler State Park early this month, our second trip there. It’s fast becoming a favorite place. Fort Flagler was originally a military installation tasked with protecting entry into Puget Sound. Like many such sites, the setting is spectacular and now permits public use in a gorgeous area boasting great natural appeal. But the human history, the remains of the old bunkers, is haunting and stark. I rarely see shots in black and white, but Battery Downes at the Fort was an exception.

I’ve been to abandoned ghost towns, Native American ruins, other decommissioned bases, and places left behind. As stark as this place is, it somehow has a greater human presence than I’ve felt at other similar spots. I’m not sure why.

Mystery Bay

We went to Fort Flagler State Park last week. This scene on Marrowstone Island greeted us. Taken in the tiny town of Nordland, the view is of Mystery Bay.

In season: birds

There’s lots to like these days if you’re a birdwatcher. Here’s an American goldfinch that stopped by the bachelor buttons in my garden the other day. It’s one of the most colorful of a nice array of summer visitors.

Local history

In May, 1792 English Captain George Vancouver led an expedition with the yawl Discovery and cutter Chatham through the region now known as Puget Sound. He and his men were the first Europeans to explore the area and in the course of charting the waters names of his crew were affixed to local landmarks.

Vancouver’s crew used longboats for many of their voyages and two replicas are currently used by the Northwest Maritime Center in youth leadership and maritime training programs. Shown under sail, these boats also have eight rowing stations.

On Monday of this week divers retrieved off the coast of Whitbey Island an anchor they contend was one lost by the Chatham during the 1792 expedition. In several weeks it will be sent to Texas A&M University for verification of its age. Until then it will be on display at the Maritime Center. I hope to take a look at it before it goes. Stay tuned!