Sunday Sights

Sunday has become a funday of sight seeing. After eating a delicious breakfast at one of our favorite spots, we detoured on our way home. Taking roads less traveled is nothing new. Brad is known for driving different routes every time he goes from point A to point B. I made sure to pack my camera.

I could see pelicans flying in the distance above the bay. They are easy to spot. There were guys working on piers, causing the pelicans to keep their distance from our parking spot. It was super windy and very cold. I was prepared with my camera, but had dressed lite for breakfast. Brrr!! I froze and could barely tolerate the cold wind. I was very thankful for the headband and gloves I keep in my camera backpack, and a warm truck. 

American Pelican

there is always an Eagle in this distant tree

We drove around looking for a new viewing spot. They are only a few, among the many water front houses. I was hoping to photograph less common ducks. We saw a gazillion gulls and viewed a lot of eagles in different scenarios along our detour.

If you ever want to practice tracking birds, I highly recommend finding a hot spot for gulls. They are really good for practicing in flight bird photography. Not just tracking, but how the light hits them and their ever changing flight patterns.

Ring-billed Gull

If the wind wasn't so bitter cold, I would have practiced shooting the gulls more. I could sure use it!! I was really mad at myself for missing out on what could have been an amazing shot of an eagle flying nearby. Instead I got marginal more distant shots. Oh well. Photography is a life-long learning process.

The highlight this Sunday was watching one of the many Eagle's we saw, dropping down to the water in slow motion. It was so windy, the eagles wings were extended but curled forward. Ever so slightly flapping in slow motion. The eagle was trying not to get blown backwards. Hard to describe. It was SO cool!!! No photos as we were driving along a narrow two lane highway part of the river, that has curvy little hills and frequent traffic.

Over by the ferry crossing (which is not open/running yet this year) I spotted a bobbing duck.

Bufflehead Duck

We continued over to the dam. It was flowing for the first time in a very long time!

I have never noticed dam rainbow colors before

we crossed the bridge to the other side of the dam

A few crazy fishermen were off frame to the right. Between the wind and the roaring dam turbulence, their fishing boats never stopped swaying. Brad and I both agreed we would have gotten seasick (or river sick). How they stay on their rocking boats while standing up, is a mystery to me. 

There is sandy shore to the right of the popular dam viewing park lot. Sadly, many people think it's a swimming beach and have drowned. The most recent was a father who saved his two children that had floated off towards the dam. There are so many warning signs posted everywhere...I just don't get it.

popular fishing spot, just out of the current

On our way home, this cute little guy caught my eye:

American Kestral

Kestrals are so colorful! I hope to catch one in flight someday. I always thought they were the smallest Hawk, but I learned they are actually Falcons.