Christmas report

[emmarytz]

It was an excellent Christmas, "was" rather than "has been" as I see it's now Boxing Day. I spent the last hour or so of Christmas Proper fussing with photos and looking up birds so the Imaginary Reader may expect some photos and some news of birds. The weather turned out nicer than expected so we took advantage of an all-day zipcar rental to drive to Alki for a walk along the beach. Our attention was immediately caught by the line of birds on the water. While they looked like loons, initially, I've learned from alexfandra that I am unlikely to see loons locally so we looked some more and I declared they seemed like brants. Mr. Sibley agrees. Then we started seeing lots of sandpiperesque birds in flight so we tracked them down to have a better look which means I can now accurately record them as black turnstones. Also in evidence, some western grebes, buffleheads, a common merganser, cormorants, and a few surf scoters.



Black turnstone



It's never too cold to go barefoot.



Because when you wade, it's best not to be wearing shoes.



Line-up of brants at Alki



Breakfast was not given to the Hummels.



Gradka enjoys her Christmas stocking.



Line of turnstones in flight



Christmas seal

...to all a good night!