No Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) or Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) were harmed before, during or after the making of this photo. A Bald Eagle was chasing a juvenile gull for about five minutes (pictured below), just off the shore of Elliott Bay in Seattle. The poor gull seemed to be getting tired, but was still out-maneuvering the eagle at every turn. Suddenly, a second eagle came along and they tag-teamed the gull, but still didn't catch it. Then, this Osprey showed up to take on the eagles. This appeared to be the last straw that drove the Bald Eagles out of the territory. I was relieved because the last thing I wanted to see today was an eagle catching a juvie gull (mostly likely a Glaucous-winged Gull, thanks, Diane, for the ID).
Tags: bald eagle eagles osprey ospreys talons altercation fight tussle gull chase juvenile predator prey flying in flight territorial territory seattle smith cove elliott bay puget sound pacific northwest raptors summer july 2012 Haliaeetus leucocephalus Pandion haliaetus defending attack fish hawk seahawk adult olympus e-3 zuiko 50-200mm
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Caught this Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) preening against an overcast backdrop at Union Bay Natural Area. The swallow was totally undisturbed by a few birdwatchers standing below its perch. The birders were glassing for other birds on the pond, not really noticing the swallow.
Shot with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 (micro four thirds) + Lumix 100-300mm. Adjustments: standard jpg edits
Tags: Tachycineta bicolor tree swallow montlake fill union bay natural area UBNA seattle arboretum university of washington center for urban horticulture washington birds swallows wildlife urban wildlife preening grooming pacific northwest
A Starling parent brings a worm to babies huddled in a nest underneath the corrugated covering. There are several nests in this area.
See photos the growing nestlings below. I wasn't close to the nest -- was standing way below a tall structure where the Starlings have what amounts to almost a colony of nests under this roof. Shot at 600mm equivalent and cropped.
Tags: 2012 OM-D lumix may myrtle edwards olympus pacific northwest panasonic seattle washington waterfront starling nest feeding babies flying in flight spring 100-300mm
Flock of mixed shorebirds including Willets and Marbled Godwits (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus, Limosa fedoa) at Arrowhead Marsh, Oakland, California
I stopped on my way home from the airport. The park was empty of humans -- between rain showers -- but there was a small gathering of shorebirds at the far side of the dock. I planted myself at the opposite end, thinking I'd take a few shots of the distant birds without disturbing them. As each flock arrived, the whole mass was pushed closer and closer to me until the shorebirds were almost within arm's reach. They obviously have their eye on me, but they weren't too disturbed by my presence, practically bumping up next to me.
Tags: Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Limosa fedoabay area california refuge wildlife arrowhead marsh shorebirds martin luther king, jr. shoreline willets marbled godwits
This photo is no longer available under the Creative Commons license. It has been, unfortunately, widely circulated without attribution -- which is most basic, non-restrictive standard of Creative Commons licensing anyone in this community asks. Although it's a bit like putting the genie back in the bottle, this photo and many others in my collection are no longer available for use. Publication prior to December 4, 2017 falls under the auspices of the previous CC license.
Creative Commons License - Attribution/Non-Commercial. Please also link back to this page if you use this image, thanks.
I was photographing this amorous couple at the Ballard Locks, when workers at the Locks pulled a soaked and cold pigeon from the water inside the lock. We mentioned we had wildlife training and experience, so they offered the poor pigeon to us for care (see pic below).
She was trembling and frozen, so we heated up the car and took her to our place for an overnight, setting her carrier on heating pad (half on, half off so they can escape the heat). By morning she was dry and robust -- she was eating, drinking, pecking and wing-slapping us. We had a happy release back at her home park where she flew away from us as fast as possible, and toward her pigeon klatch and family.
Tags: 100-300mm 2012 E-M5 OM-D ballard hiram m. chittenden locks lumix m4/3 may micro four thirds olympus pacific northwest panasonic puget sound seattle spring washington pigeon pair couple mating courting rock dove rock pigeon Columba livia wet water rescue wildlife urban birds