Birding Through Glass

Snow started falling as I left the house this morning to drive south to Sterling State Park to look for the Harlequin Ducks. Skies were overcast, and snow was falling enough to coat grassy surfaces and cars. I would arrive shortly after 8 am to dark skies and a steady snowfall. I made sure to keep the bins under my coat and my camera under its Lens Coat Raincoat. As I walked out onto the breakwall from the parking lot I saw a clean white snow-covered foot path that suggested that I was the first visitor today. However, as I continued on I saw Dave Riddle walking back toward me from the top of the break wall ramp. The Harlequin Ducks were still around and could be seen close to shore from where we were standing. A thanks later and I was on my way toward them. The Harlequin Duck male and female were swimming together next to shore and seemed hardly concerned with my presence. Still, I waited until they dove before moving quickly toward them so I could get some pics under the dark skies ...