After two days of relentless rain, I was itching to get outside. Family Day presented the perfect opportunity, and what better way to spend it than birding with my aunt? I had no expectations—just a deep desire to immerse myself in nature. What followed was a day filled with incredible wildlife encounters and heartwarming connections. Our first stop was a marina I had never been to before. I had heard whispers of potential sea lions, waterfowl, and—if we were extremely lucky—maybe even orcas. The road in was rough, full of potholes and steep inclines, but we made it.
We were given permission to walk along the docks, and that’s when I spotted them—double-crested cormorants! They were perched proudly on the dock poles, wings spread wide as if sunning themselves despite the lack of sun. When I zoomed in on the back of my camera, their eyes—that turquoise color—were mesmerizing. Pure magic! I was energized.
Did you know? Double-Crested Cormorants often perch on pilings, docks, and rocks with their wings outstretched—not to dry off, but to help regulate their body temperature! Unlike many waterbirds, their feathers aren’t completely waterproof, which allows them to dive deeper and hunt more efficiently. After a swim, they spread their wings to speed up the drying process before taking off again.
Adding to the excitement, a male and female Barrow's Goldeneye swam nearby, though they were quite skittish and didn’t stay long. That was okay—my focus was locked on those magnificent cormorants, each standing like sentinels on the dock poles. What an amazing start to the day!
Male Barrow’s Goldeneyes are easily recognized by their bold black-and-white plumage and their distinctive crescent-shaped white patch in front of their bright golden eyes. Unlike the Common Goldeneye, whose white facial patch is more rounded, the Barrow’s has a sleeker, more curved shape. Their iridescent purple-black heads shimmer in the right light, adding to their striking appearance.
Female Barrow’s Goldeneyes have a beautiful, understated coloration—sporting a rich chocolate-brown head, a grayish body, and a bright yellow-orange bill. Unlike the Common Goldeneye, their bill is more vibrant, often entirely yellow, making them easier to distinguish. Their subtle yet striking appearance helps them blend into their nesting sites, typically found in tree cavities near lakes and rivers.
Next, we headed to a new beach cove park, but the entire view was swallowed by thick mist.
No shorebirds were in sight, and we decided to turn back—until I caught movement high in a tree.
There, nestled in the branches of a tall pine, lay a bald eagle. And not just perching—laying down on a branch! It looked a bit dirty, almost like it had been rolling around. Incredible! Every single time I go birding, I encounter an eagle in some form, and today was no different. I swear, eagles are one of my spirit animals—majestic, powerful, and full of magic. One day, I will hold one. That’s a dream.
Our next destination was a well-known bird sanctuary, though I didn’t have high expectations. Being Family Day, I figured the crowds would keep most birds at bay. But nature had other plans.
The moment I arrived, I was greeted by a flurry of Anna’s hummingbirds. Their iridescent flashes darted around, filling the air with energy.
Male Anna’s Hummingbirds are one of the few North American hummingbirds that sing! Unlike most hummingbirds that only make chip or buzz sounds, males produce a series of scratchy, buzzy songs during courtship. They also perform dramatic dive displays, plummeting from heights of up to 130 feet and creating a loud “squeak” sound with their tail feathers to impress potential mates.
I noticed at the far end of the sanctuary, a beautiful family of swans was enjoying the sanctuary, gliding gracefully across the water as they fed, preened, and rested together. Watching them nestled close, some dozing while others gently groomed their feathers, felt like the perfect reflection of Family Day—peaceful, connected, and full of quiet moments of care.
These were Trumpeter Swans, the largest native waterfowl in North America, known for their deep, resonant calls that sound like a trumpet. Once nearly wiped out due to hunting and habitat loss, conservation efforts have helped their numbers recover, making each sighting a special reminder of resilience and the importance of protecting wetland habitats.
Then—I nearly screamed inside—a pair of common mergansers! The male’s bold black-and-white plumage contrasted beautifully with the rust-colored head of the female. Absolutely stunning!
And then—another bald eagle! This one soared overhead, giving me the perfect opportunity to capture a belly shot, with its talons tucked under like a fighter jet. I don’t know what it was hunting, but its sharp cries echoed through the sanctuary.
I was doing my best to capture the little songbirds, and while I managed to get a towhee in action, my shutter speed wasn’t quite fast enough to catch him clearly—but his poses were still awesome!
On the other hand, I was able to photograph a stunning female Fox Sparrow, showcasing all her gorgeous earthy tones.
Did you know? The Fox Sparrow gets its name from its rich, rusty-red coloring, similar to the coat of a fox. These plump, ground-loving sparrows are known for their energetic foraging behavior, kicking up leaves and dirt with both feet to uncover hidden seeds and insects. Depending on the region, their plumage can vary from deep red to grayish-brown, making them one of the most diverse sparrow species in North America.
Just as I was about to leave the sanctuary, another birder waved me over. Perched in the marsh, standing tall, was a Great Blue Heron. He had gathered quite a crowd, so I didn’t stay long, but I snapped a few shots. It was beautiful to see strangers connecting over a simple moment of birds being birds. That’s the magic of wildlife—it brings people together effortlessly. Birds don’t have to try to be incredible; they just are. There’s a lesson in that.
Our last stop was an urbanized park where I planned to feed the ducks. That’s when I noticed something very different. Among the mallards, a duck stood out—bigger than the others, with stunning teal and green feathers on its back. I had never seen anything like it before!
When I got home, I did some research, and it looks like he was an Indian Runner Domestic-Type Duck. How did he get there? He’s a non-flight duck! I have no idea where he came from, but he was simply gorgeous. His colors, his size, and—oh—the squawk that came out of him! He was magnificent.
Other people at the park noticed him too, asking what kind of duck he was. I could only reply, “I don’t know. He’s rare. I’ve never seen one before.” Unfortunately, as more people approached, he seemed unsure of where to go, dodging dogs and crowds. Eventually, he found a bit of space for himself, and I was able to capture some beautiful portraits before I left.
What an incredible birding day! Each moment was a reminder of why I love wildlife photography—it heals, it grounds, and it fills my heart with lightness. Spending the day outdoors, witnessing these birds in their natural spaces, and even sharing those experiences with fellow birders made Family Day truly special. Nature always has a way of giving me exactly what I need.
BONUS - The day was filled with so many birding opportunities that I’ve decided to dedicate a separate blog to a special encounter with some Double-Crested Cormorants I ran into at the sanctuary—stay tuned for Part 2!
Until the next adventure—happy birding!
A day of awesome surprises.