Going Courting

Seattle has had a very inclement spring thus far, but the birds persevere with their courting. This male Northern flicker (left) and Brewer's Blackbird did what they could to attract the ladies on a cloudy, winter-y spring day at the Montlake Fill.

A few hours earlier on campus, this heron made the bird with two backs after proffering a well chosen stick for his consort back at the nest.

It Takes a Village...

to make a heronry. Ma and Pa Heron passing a stick to each other.

Very encouraging news from the UW heron colony: the number of nests on the western side has at least doubled over last year! Five nests alone are in one tree slightly to the northwest of the main core of last year's group. Plus, one or two--can't tell--more in conifers across the walkway slightly to the east. And there are about two or three more nests in the grouping next to the EE/Paul Allen building.

The skeletal beginnings of a new nest, well-silhouetted by the setting sun.

On the hunt for the perfect twig, this bird extends its left wing to keep its balance.