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The Daily Bucket: A Bald Eagle spruces up. There are otters, and a Coot has a very bad day. [1]

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Date: 2023-01-10

Bald Eagle spiffed up and ready to soar

Juanita Bay Park is a jewel for viewing birds and other wildlife.

Juanita Bay Park, part of the Kirkland Parks system, is just a couple of miles across Lake Washington from Seattle.

Its 113 acres are among the few remaining examples of wetlands that once existed all along the shores of Lake Washington, and its waters are protected as a designated wildlife area. That means that access, via watercraft or even swimming, is forbidden.

Two hundred species of birds have been seen at the park, which from 1932 to 1975 was the nine-hole Juanita Golf Course. Now, tree-lined boardwalks lead to platforms built over the bay. But we began our visit last Wednesday, Jan 4, by walking what I call the allée, which is a broad, paved street, closed on both sides to traffic and with a narrow, wooden “sidewalk” that’s elevated. The allée follows marshland formed by Forbes Creek and also offers excellent views of the open water. It’s a good place to strike up conversations too.

On our visit, we saw 22 species of birds. Here are some highlights:

Trumpeter Swans tower over American Coots. We saw an even dozen swans, and one generously gave us a mini-concert with its trumpet solo. Closer

These pilings aren’t just perches for Double-crested Cormorants. They’re remnants of a wharf, which the City of Seattle used 110 years ago to ship gravel and sand across the water to cover its muddy streets. Before that, steamboats plied these waters, connecting the east side to Seattle beginning in 1875. In 1916, the Ship Canal was dug to connect Lake Washington to Puget Sound, and the lake was lowered nine feet. That left the passage too shallow for the steamer fleet. Bigger

Waiting for Godot: Coots contemplate an unfortunate visit from three River Otters, which left them with one fewer of their kind. Now enlarge the photo above, the one with the Cormorants, and look at the pilings in back, where a River Otter relaxes after a big, bloody meal.

When this guy cruised in, those Coots, which numbered in the hundreds, quietly steamed away:

Bald Eagle on approach. I did a diary about Juanita Bay a year ago, featuring a Bald Eagle eating a Coot. So it’s no wonder that the Coots faded away when Baldy came too close. www.dailykos.com/...

It isn’t Sequence Friday yet, but here’s a sequence a day ahead to get you in the groove:

Taxiing to a smooth water landing.

Nothing like a good bathe. Splash!

Extra rinse for that left wing and … You won't get wet

You want me to watch YOU take a bath?? See the outrage

Stand back: Time for the rinse cycle ... Frothier

Gotta fluff up those curls … Look how handsome

Ready to be the national symbol again! Even more glorious here

Taking off after a successful mission. What a pro

All spiffed up for soaring. Big Eagle

Here’s what the eagle could see from the air:

Look what I got! Wood Duck drake excited about his “corm on the cob.”

A bay without Buffleheads would be a sorry sight. These guys and girls obliged.

Killdeer line the beach. We saw seven. No need to squint

Ringed-necked Duck drake. Look verrrry closely and you might see that faint ring. But wouldn’t it be nice if its name were changed to Ring-billed Duck, the part that’s actually visible? See the ring here.

We then checked out views from the boardwalk and viewing platforms to the south.

Green-winged Teal drake looking good.

eBird had noted Wilson’s Snipe. Fortunately, Mr. WordsandBirds is a phenomenal bird spotter and had located their hideaway in about a minute. And there were two! By the time we left there was only one, and it was snoozing. See the Snipes

The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns spinning around us. We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.

Thanks for reading, and good birding to you all. What are you seeing in your parts of the world? I won’t be on the dot, but I’ll join you shortly.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/10/2145454/-The-Daily-Bucket-A-Bald-Eagle-spruces-up-There-are-otters-and-a-Coot-has-a-very-bad-day

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