West Seattle Thanksgiving 2012: Beautiful birds

Two of the many things for which we’re thankful – West Seattle’s wildlife, and the photographers who share their images so we in turn can share them with you. Tonight, Mark Wangerin sent these three beautiful photos – thanks, Mark! – identifying the birds he photographed on a Thanksgiving Day walk in Lincoln Park as, above, a surf scoter; next, a horned grebe:

And a pigeon guillemot:

Mark notes that the scoter and grebe are common here, and that the grebe and guillemot are sporting “non-breeding plumage.” To find out more about these birds and others found in our area, explore this Audubon website.

6 Replies to "West Seattle Thanksgiving 2012: Beautiful birds"

  • cascadianone November 22, 2012 (7:34 pm)

    A small and admittedly twisted part of my brain was hoping this article would go on to detail the taking, plucking and roasting of these delicious-looking birds for a very unusual but trendy (LOCAVORE-approved!) Thanksgiving meal.

    ((( And NO, I’m not in any way suggesting bad things happen to these birds! Having frequently read the comments/forums around here I’m now quite convinced that these particular birds as well as most birds in general are probably critically endangered, a vital piece of the ecology of Earth as well as Puget Sound, theat they are sitting at all times within a protected wetland or a place that REALLY SHOULD BE a protected wetland, that these birds are good friends to local children and maybe even absorbing CO2 by the ton as I type. Thanks ahead of time for your pro-animal thoughts and I blame the Food Network and/or Fox News for my dark sense of humor. :D )))

  • SudsyMaggie November 22, 2012 (8:13 pm)

    Love times a million!

  • seewhatsealionsstart November 22, 2012 (8:19 pm)

    All beauties, but that is one of the prettiest surf scoter photos ever!

  • westseattledood November 22, 2012 (11:32 pm)

    Agreed seewhatsea, the shot of the scoter’s multicolored beak is remarkable in its clarity.

    Thanks to all the birdbrains who share their talents and remind us to LOOK.

    Always a treat when good pix go up.

  • Amy November 23, 2012 (12:02 pm)

    The surf scoter is beautiful! Its beak reminds me of candy corn. :-)

  • cathy woo November 23, 2012 (6:09 pm)

    Beautiful photos! Thanks, Mark!

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