Fir Island 11-8-2018

PNWPhotos.com a friendly and growing community of photographers with an interest in the Pacific Northwest region. We feature a Photography Discussion Forum and Pacific Northwest Photo Gallery. It's a fun and friendly place to talk with other photographers, ask questions, share you knowledge, view and post photos and more!


Bill Anderson

Super Moderator
Staff member
Thursday (11-8-18) my son and I headed up north. We struck out at the West 90 but did well at the Fir Island Farms Reserve Unit, commonly referred to on Tweeters as "Hayton."
https://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/skagit/Fir Island Farms Reserve/

No snow geese were present when we drove through on our way to the West 90, but a flock was in the field across the road when we returned.

01.jpg


02.jpg


The flock took off, which provided opportunities for "artsy" shots with Mt. Baker and the foothills in the background.

03.jpg


04.jpg


05.jpg
 
Last edited:

Bill Anderson

Super Moderator
Staff member
A large flock of dunlin east of the viewing area would periodically mumurate. An adult northern harrier can be seen by close inspection of some of the photos. One person watching the show described it as "fireworks". Wide angle shots taken with the 1Dx + 100-400L II telephoto zoom. Still photos don't do the phenomena justice. You really need video to get the full effect.

09.jpg
10.jpg
11.jpg
12.jpg
13.jpg
 
Last edited:

Bill Anderson

Super Moderator
Staff member
Close-ups of the murmuration taken with the 7DII + 500L telephoto + 2x III teleconverter. I get excited photographing a flock of 100+ dunlin at the Edmonds marina. Imagine how I felt seeing a flock of several thousand.
14.jpg


15.jpg


16.jpg


17.jpg


18.jpg
 

Bill Anderson

Super Moderator
Staff member
Closeups of some of the birds at the reserve.

Martha & George, the resident eagles.

19.jpg


Some (greater?) yellowlegs.

20.jpg
21.jpg


A (long-billed?) dowitcher dug a worm out of the mud.

22.jpg


Then washed it off before eating it.

23.jpg
 

Bill Anderson

Super Moderator
Staff member
I observed what I thought were two northern harriers engaged in an aerial skirmish. Examination of my photos at home showed one of the combatants was a rough-legged hawk.

24.jpg


25.jpg


26.jpg


27.jpg


28.jpg
 
Last edited:

Bill Anderson

Super Moderator
Staff member
With about an hour of daylight remaining, we finished the day with a quick trip to Wylie Slough.

First year bald eagle. We saw another one in the distance being harassed by a crow, but didn't get photos. There is a nest along the slough.

34.jpg


A pair of belted kingfishers were chasing each other over the slough.

35.jpg


One made a dive and came up with a small fish.

36.jpg


37.jpg


There is a pheasant farm next to one of the parking lots. A male was perched on the roof of a coop. If it is an escapee. I don't know if it will last long with all the raptors in the area.

38.jpg
 
Last edited:
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)



PNWPhotos.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Top