[marta]

We had a serious case of cabin fever. We needed to get out but we really didn't want anything too strenuous. The forecast was for a sunny Sunday so we headed north to do a little birding. Our first stop was at Big Ditch. Boy is that road potholed. There were a few hunters and birders in the parking lot. We headed out along the dike. There was a hawk surveying the area but not much else. We heard a splash and saw two otters diving down. We only caught a glimpse but it was cool. We headed back to the car. We could heard geese in the distance and a huge flock flew over and headed north. Time to move on. We headed up to Conway. Just before the turn off we saw a nice flock of trumpeter swans in the field near the freeway. But we were in search for those snow geese. Next we stopped at Hayton Reserve across from Cowtown. We didn't see anything at first but when we looked west, we saw a huge flock farther up the road. But first we had to check the three immature eagles hanging out in a huge tree near the parking lot. We continued on toward La Connor and when we rounded the curve, there they were. There was a huge flock right in a field next to the road. People were pulling off left and right. The geese were not fazed at all. I have never seen them this close up and personal before. We spent a good half hour just watching them moving along. After lunch at La Connor Brewery, we moved on up to Padilla Bay and north towards Samish Island. We pulled into the 'West 90' lot. The short eared owls were flying back and forth along with marsh hawks. The afternoon was warm and it was the perfect cure for cabin fever. On the way back, we stopped and walked a short bit on the Padilla Bay Trail watching the herons and ducks while the sun set over the sound.

Big Ditch

Snow geese flying over

Trumpeter Swans

Snow Geese

Snow Geese on Fir Island

Snow Geese on Fir Island

Snow Geese on Fir Island

Snow Geese

Snow Geese attracting a crowd

West 90 Access

Sunset at Padilla Bay

[seawallrunner]

Marta your photos are splendid. I love the golden sunset, your final photo. And your photos of the geese!! Goodness, after all the posts this weekend about Photoshop, I was sure at first that this photo too was 'chopped. but no, these are all individual geese. Wow, so many at once. What a gorgeous sight it must have been, against the dormant winter fields. And what a treat that you are sharing these images with us. thank you.

[yew]

Wow, what alot of geese! Old acquaintances in Klamath Falls, OR (Klamath marsh is a huge, famous wetland waterfowl hunting area) said those snow geese make great jerky. There used to be flocks of passenger pigeons and Carolina parakeets in our country like that. But now they're gone forever

[greg]

Tons of snow geese on the Skagit this winter! Driving to Vancouver Thursday we dropped into the valley and under the biggest flock of snow geese I've ever seen, the sky was covered with them for miles, must have been 25,000, maybe more. The Big Ditch is a great place to see them.

[marta]

Thanks Seawall. I appreciate the comments. It was truly an amazing sight to see them that close up. If the weather is good, I highly recommend a drive around Fir Island to see if you can spot them.

[Sabahsboy]

Great shots of the valley and the geese and swans. Many thanks. Was up there on work assignment a week ago and saw some geese and many swans in a field off I-5. Hard to not be distracted! I miss the many visits to the Skagit delta and walking the levees. Some years back the State made access difficult, requiring hunters' stamp. The "park" on Fir Island has a nice parking area, etc., but it is so controled now. I should check with the state to see what the requirements are to gain access and walk....the best place to see the snow geese and other water birds. Also, owls, eagles, and some unusual birds. One of the best short hikes anywhere! Views are great on clear days.

[BeyondLost]

Yes, lots of snow geese. Which is rather a problem in the arctic. The flocks coming into TX and LA are just enormous. The rice and other grain fields are not a natural food source and increase survival but the arctic is being devastated as a result. Other duck and geese species are suffering as a result. Difficult situation. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/snowprob/index.htm

[Hiker Mama]

That is so cool! Thanks for sharing your pictures!

[Matt]

Thanks for the pics and the info on where to see them.

[marta]

This is a useful map if you are looking for different places to bird in Skagit. The only place that I visited that isn't on it is the West 90 area. It is up to the left at T (towards Samish) up above Padilla Bay.