In my absence this past year, my mom has taken up two hobbies with a vengeance: singing in a barbershop choir and watching birds.
I am hopelessly tone deaf, so when I got home I couldn't join my mom's singing. But birding! Now that's something I can get behind!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlxu0G2dwE3rGgXrLdbXgUhQYL12atUPAu_TIQJLVVOXJ7Z1mgd1BKhQ0T6TUBQ-K8WD6u8Uz3en4ciwpt9GWjiWFCguOqmlOPE_JFdSDi0rm9Z5whyphenhyphenmfqpG_bAR6e5XmraoPl_maNkY/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG) |
My fearless birding captain and me. |
Here are some photos I took during four awesome birding jaunts with my mom in the month of June.
(And remember, you can always click on a photo to launch a high-definition slideshow!)
Juanita Bay Park
Kirkland, Washington
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGt-4j-Vv9SsB-qUATz1P955iAietYQ_3xlNfvZltK3e0rqlAJjeXSnWRDBp-_rwZmWw3uE-XDwbVDuX4W9o0CqGS8nlbJYJIYiGK774cc63pcsE3BRy7cIYWKe0xa5e1eHWt_R-Wkcs/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG) |
Cedar waxwing. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1-N0gOfmveZ2hgm9MyNqzMxVbdL7RzQAjFKV2UbuRFQIOaWLMZoYlXB7UYGfh89hMvdqVyFeyTyzm9uAcSP4Jd779pFGfISB1MlsX4oI3_OLtiNGHB5m6uNdZy7qA-qNcaHLxicRqDU/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG) |
Crows mobbing a red-tailed hawk. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkA53GgtNyOyTf_l2ZP8PkdztM4wHOj6JRCDWY8ZX_nsj1gNFSeuZAk_dpCbkLCBWVY27g7qq5v-AcpvI_ln5F7yX18UnaJ_58KCgaMfa9DywsfObruU261qOqVB3xOiWebyvrVgVSLQ/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG) |
A female red-winged blackbird. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDeWmcKhMYtDxDaUgCrxT9SkTOBRofuZ-usxRxjbSTpv8jY-FbhnWDORzPYf2Mox_mcXkDi_dR-qd9NH2MpgQhUndhsqyQhNX3mSwFilBMUKuhbJ7OdZvkn9l_S6pnZ2W1nuLbOYTl3M/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG) |
A juvenile red-winged blackbird. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl9SqNMHkpISYAjYdLt8u5No-l_dJglrAmNGd18duwGLE-wyWtc9AtLu4wOEdj42OzG0cNju0rb16HVG9MYnS_Mn63I-74Xs8OAewkTSA53dOg1dAaeDLIhRLllNwS7BAZFENcST_NwE/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG) |
Wood duck. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjDvYy4a81YU1-JiODwmJx-Nabs8DM9AP1YvhaqK9G3AHSG2c_bJPT11Z9XOGwcJZs_sMwUDKIEc_f8mD_3Pcu3RgS1eg2IRG3BNB-SfVleJTKdj8pFjhgrsW1ft-HhEUKoyTydzuUu4/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG) |
Pollination! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG7NdSkMhQ0mmIihVd-spJqwponuWfiWej_1yXhG1qB2q7kR71OJ7Gw27NyxZ81XGK-R9mwu5gRVPUyFSmn3Z95Z5DYZ2hU_J-gUUcGL65U42Me2daxUkCI42Mn75zis8UEg0czt0KEw/s1600/IMG_0357.JPG) |
American robin. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pvn1G4sd8gryI9xBADanTkUtr5vYCoFDIPxMrs5ucEfvYGXeh0nkRjoCBfkk94t1ITz8Jep6w2mdvgQDO87DvYPCvwtyQjtzLZ_8VSmnI9OkmiaAZi7XIOpC5eidVgMgYJdzy-44pcU/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG) |
How many (Western painted) turtles can you count? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yhui5G0UmTW2FcRpoGBQFzaZDY4nZGgHP3fdlZFi8imGWMeUbBpQ4AGakX-ZnHsUmVI1m6qVmzx62nEW5qGiKvwphM8nKoBpXtlS59MrjlsuNAIML-E29IEN050zS3OZEh0Bn1BH0U0/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG) |
This bald eagle is just begging to be memed. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-h7YYePYnhyphenhyphene8fHQ7A82QiIw5eP97lX7NJrCXJfTPFiq52et3IjKKdWpxOpG_PdDszrnhCMny23CJu81DSKsAYyhYc-CVbjsjaA0RBV3gL85DM7Akp185FflCx5cTEXj4yuNG5fVoZI/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG) |
Don't feed the rainbow wildlife. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwszJodeTYpgWt5bnZ8bGATWLZlx6b7-fhT427TcN_g7Vo7WjVhuk76KImCQXThLuNGqQOgH2u8AfUI60zznhvCe_nYNutcXPZZmMoFi71y3Gd0C9UCgLeLspCBlr5yazP8OV6BgvJkA/s1600/IMG_0424.JPG) |
Mama wood duck and ducklings! How many can you count? |
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Olympia, Washington
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaXrWhXKwG4XjrCs51eBANe8H8bHc2XOpXeP0x2XSJ_jaEAnytRl-cq0A6UPl4xYLJwgYG9Bhf5dVpJMs_9vXQ8spsP7jGeehrCZdQ0SmxUV2ViiBm-lDrM8XXqwe0uMUWuTsKQlBaNc/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG) |
This savannah sparrow nestled in wildflowers reminded me of an Easter basket. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKN3R89DiPUSfCUWECglhNhKW5TZV_1WLh4rMCKatDCj3mp6PzUPsvo0ijleakLsAbHwBgCljgyDy5dh0PVGbqAAElvahRkD545ZmIU1Nx93IaIVngR2qcSpTaOLoUmXH2AVbypbXd2s/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG) |
Cinnamon teal. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T6p0NI-kPpzyrgWcPouqBgZWkDw__NSde6aYfW8uk2yYuObQeBCHoBkJRpTBvhcCpdseYIZmbLIiAUh2bt-LoBhS-mJth_cM4fO7pwRmnoYufEeHgv7KBHyDl29GjUAHJo5soEO3CCU/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG) |
Interesting footprints! I'm thinking they were trod by a raccoon. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJP7OzK5aKDIjY6GfGZAael92UbZyxErVRj3aoV5rm37LCPFzMR5tf4XhSOtmzFIOVFUSqXclRMjyxFE-UNy6Iafzh_QO84mfAjUEB-2ufomS8W6JnpZG_Pw5MSpEKaf1SCtzki8eoxA/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG) |
A grazing black-tailed deer doe. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz8Wy415P6ovp7qvyIrr7BegzBCerzurSt0nBNITm0aCkzzS5uzeGj_oyaxymg7NoqKxbFunczhuGXNH1CpBSzhTxHDBkG2cg4pKayk754ScG6fe7wkk4fIwW_gTQebzUV9OobbsJ8co/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG) |
Bad hair day? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcgLc6xEmq4qNG3u9sOIwBReeAFc3MLSu7Q16fsGRmfTHFKkZKZ0w8u10vRA0AFJeGhevjhyEW9Be41GVQqyoeadTcOnSdUtFiv9Dlarp8rRh5NczV1PuTAO3SG5eJIHpZUI41SA7unc/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG) |
Ah, that's better. This female hooded merganser just needed a good blow-dry. |
Montlake Fill
Seattle, Washington
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_t61wow2meKs75Rxwh6-Wbdp404BTB1WwAOfb3eExhn7RWwUvHbldssUPB0wt1DKi8fMaIIqNzIvZ2Qg7h7wW4jZ27I4MiB-mnAhV3dYTJ-Zn1xhifokTe4Qp_jsXlDGcyPFW663TfwE/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG) |
Anna's hummingbird. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AJWgC9pSvvxVeR68VtYQUK8rWf78sEy6FtiQlWJNPtNclNryw4x4wJqdnBKCLXEQPwXDu6MEeX2PilsVgSKEcBJqhaTtj4pV-uRlDiXkw-IwYLMaTpocrOj6r7OFi6KwQz7AGpUeaRo/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG) |
A hummingbird nest with two sword-billed chicks! The inside of the nest was about the size of a penny. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnyB4WEBKId3vWgWZgbn2b6eETzEL_W8HdxOzZedIt6Jwl5xzHfyItlZS6SkL3lsXgCd7-_WKpxBObBZFo2yOHiPG1R9AFp6TB3IHJfm_1sL3SA3X-uGv963LL9LFX_Q-RQnGyZ2ih4I/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG) |
A red-winged blackbird stares into the distance. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z61pVaUH0kjz2xQ7rNDh5Ut2uJu1Bv2dPvLqPSmAO3w_ktIu6-uC3bLGTl2f4wj-TNph19bbXApvDwd1z4cgj_fRFV-evNy3orLr4_7d1Xpo8rxmYiJYz1xufp82Mnz6joNpAi2Dshg/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG) |
A song sparrow sips from a pond. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgos0fAFBxOEhbNrPUvrdkSLYwOT_wc2aHkvUPg2tscBZHVM4CAI8i9mV41KQEvCUIGvg0hm6guYZEb-47jpQxw5hbCKSYYkGICBUcv3o3f9py3EQM79Ng6AxbP0fGTgRqwKDMAiEG1J4o/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG) |
"Bottoms up! Time to dabble!" says Mr. Mallard. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9zqmk2brVAqtoi14hsMuewHPEYSy6hnWqFfnKSpGT_W-Y9zAnMB4hD9pBSy0Z_83I_jBmjiRI53xIVVKSb1XuFsxFUYUPlvjDxA2LwCobmUu-foIldd48KNMWTMTy0H9298fZDJ1b1U/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG) |
A marsh wren gives a free concert. |
Upper Skagit
Corkindale Creek and other sites in Skagit County, Washington
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVdM9wc_JwXIm6LEAEyNFcmjpOl5k9M_flQAnCvw_grCw-kLmkM9EFp3Of3wckYnGfjGgLpN2oQduCzCYOb05vBNFijiak94xFo-PhoUSIK0j_QGelzPh4MHqkZAgKelWRInfClB05i4/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG) |
Our first bird: a western scrub jay! These guys are NOT supposed to be this far north. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCKlpnPKefamoC2q9CNQzSnXjR3zrhDNo2DtXwOsokTst9CeB7PbbKw64YvTwlfmaBacHHsuUNzkjD16GJ_DM-R_cpeB3DldruSnwy0-bCZAsa3ZZcmnwDvdynM0VGaRUp-OaRC3tmME/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG) |
A rufous hummingbird positively glows in the sunshine. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAK99O0YCriCEarqzpGYA52RTE4XuxR6jtAiPiKA0I5SIhB3DUMO92vc0wNPbnBc-NNyGBi18G8s2h6XPf3ZwrC9R0AdBXzBUjzGtUDqjapvvLEgKZl5uBGuv8yyLsyqbXuEG8aWwYfU/s1600/IMG_0656.JPG) |
Work those wings, little hummer! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fWY6FNZI4XPUKLYA-SYkN2aJ8eIaCXO6uvqiXML0z8oCkJ5vR3-WzkhUW7Tk62NH8fpG-cKzmlzWQUhD7c0vCBZCkSjk4yJBWgNOdsljNaENo4pPRrgBdVueKTxYOQIokB4e78BrcfU/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG) |
Coyote scat full of blackberry seeds. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuxTk-n4QuwFIu8c_y0ZXIYEB3EgeZ38_sf9ueOa-7H1Mpu-rH16_XM7hTK-spbQbbRxZKtoaB2X-fHQZDQXj71B_En7Y3k3O7cwYEf_AGtKpNxqL7aCDqgDf_pX-OFdprjFdISTxWOs/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG) |
A lazuli bunting in the maple tree! This bird was startlingly blue. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM2_gCHOZ8NkAylaQBcjckgnDI4bCQ6ENPZ6cztBVSeYZFQJDqsHMo-gWm2iVpTk1lRFw5jW-OafztjbWOuYuZSQo9493LTAYGQWPDAs8lNtF3ONEuTgtsFTo7aYCUS-FEcresR1-W44/s1600/IMG_0705.JPG) |
A whole family of ruffed grouse went flying when we stepped into the meadow! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufxRi7BsdqZiHpcaIbxDbXlNSu5d-zJTb1gQrOba56r-xjPwccg6qJKB3McPwqS_wTZF2m_jPX60Bn4OuPCQmIddoMC_NQRyODZfCHxN6tVUk1EWE3RADFsTbMogK_30s925W-1h4aiA/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG) |
A willow flycatcher? Gotta ask the expert for this one... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GUQolnOt-LkoqLZyIEa9-OslYnnIWBB0enP9aiXbv5-OxkxOgGPxwdT-R7VByNYSxIEI_ReKmkFG6T_eELOfjjF2JgDpyKfDFKwo0zA820rYRNglbdz-vFd9yaI0iq8d0YvFAJr9D4s/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG) |
A singing spotted towhee. Maybe he's singing a little barbershop for my mom! |
Springtime
If ducklings, wildflowers, and bumblebees weren't enough to convince you it's springtime... just look at these gorgeous fiddleheads.
Spending a year on the equator was amazing, but there are some things the tropics just can't provide. I'm glad to be back in my temperate Seattle where I can watch the seasons come and go with people I love!