Time for some lessons......

A couple of things happened today which makes me think it is time for some lessons - that is if you want to be a birder....and I'm assuming, if you bother to check this blog from time to time, it is because that is your goal.

So the first thing you have to learn is to 'be quiet!'.  Today as I was attempting to get some photos of the Cedar Waxwings and Robins feasting on the fruit of a Pacific Crabapple....I could hear voices from way off....so, of course, could the birds....who all took off long before the quartet came stomping down the trail.  So much of 'birding' is 'listening' first so you know where to stop and look.

Now for a picture....

there we are at the log bay....still high and dry....about a dozen salmon out there attempting to spawn in the little bit of water that is there....

Now the next was conversation I was told about where a rather irate person had come out specifically to see....

Bald Eagles....and hadn't seen a single one!  Seems every time I went outside today there were eagles....but they aren't lined up along the roads....most of them were up in the sky, but there have also been a few feeding in the water....which is the second lesson....what to do when you spot an eagle....or any other bird for that matter.

You stop.  If you are into taking pictures, take one from where you first spot the bird.  For some reason everyone wants to 'get closer' but 'getting closer' just chases the birds away.  Birds have a comfort zone.  Some species tolerate a closer approach than others.  Speaking eagles specifically, when they first arrive in the area, they tend to be quite spooky - taking off as soon as they are spotted, but after a while, provided the humans behave, keeping themselves, their kids and their leashed dogs on trails, the birds get used to them and will tolerate a closer approach.

always you should keep an eye on the bird.  Your goal should be that whatever the bird is doing when you first spot it - eating, resting etc. - it should still be there, doing it when you leave.  If it isn't, you did something wrong.  You violated it's comfort zone.

Don't even attempt trying to sneak up on a bird....as soon as you do that, you are deemed a hunter and the bird takes off.  Humans are expected to walk upright in a normal manner....if you act nonchalant....yes, I see you but I don't really care all that much - the birds tend to react in the same way.  

While the eagles were feeding in one direction today, this Great Blue Heron was sunning itself in another....

and this trio of Green-wing Teal were dabbling about in between.

All photos taken today, during my normal walk with my leashed dog keeping to the trails.