Ducks and Surprises

[Pat Buhl]

Nov. 26, amongst the Barrow’s Goldeneyes at the Ferry Terminal, were small groups of Surf Scoters with possibly some other kinds of Scoter mixed in.  A steady stream of Cormorants were also flying in and out from under the patio at the back of the terminal.  I’ve always wondered why/what they are doing….    A good number of Barrow’s Goldeneyes were also at Squalicum Harbor this past Tues. (24th),   

as well as a lone Common Goldeneye.

Two Not-Bird surprises at Squalicum Harbor:  

November 19 - a sea lion !!! basking in the sun on a dock (photo taken from near the Youth Sailing dock). He hung out in the same place for a few days, then was joined by two more sea lions sprawled on the dock for a day or two. I haven’t seen them since. I’ve walked down there regularly for years, and have seen an occasional seal in the water, but never a sea lion.   

Dec. 24th - two river otters on the docks! They slipped into the water and disappeared among the sailboats faster than I could get my camera out. I’ve seen otters on the Taylor St. dock and nearby rocks, but never before at the harbor. Or perhaps they’ve always been there, but I failed to notice!  

Pat Buhl

Surf Scoters at Ferry Terminal 

Sea lion at Squalicum Harbor