I photographed this gentleman Monday morning at Ship Harbor, poised and equipped to watch a thriving colony of purple martins living in houses atop high poles in the water. Skagit Audubon reports: “While not endangered, purple martins suffer from habitat loss along the West Coast. They are ‘cavity nesters’…building nests in holes. Free standing snags along bodies of water are perfect sites. On the East Coast humans have provided nesting sites since the early colonial days and the birds have adapted, accept living in close proximity and thrive. Along the West Coast the practice of providing replacement man made housing has not been as prevalent.” Ship Harbor features 36 elevated boxes. See skagitaudubon.org for more information.