Puget Sound Rarity

This week’s photo, taken August 16, 2017 at Richmond Beach Park in Shoreline, WA, features a TUFTED PUFFIN.

Puffins are not common in Washington state, and the best chance of seeing one is along the outer coast. So, finding one yesterday in Puget Sound, our inland sea, was a real surprise for me, and a true delight. After I took a few photos, I emailed our local birding listserve, and within an hour several other birders showed up to view the seabird with the bright white face and massive bill. Nearly 2 hours after the TUFTED PUFFIN honored us with its presence, it took flight, headed north, and disappeared from view.

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