A friend and I were exploring in the Monte Cristo area on Saturday
and we encountered what appears to be a beautiful birding spot: a
place next to the road called Monte Cristo Lake (Delorme p97, D-5).

The clouds parted and the sun came out, quite a few species were about,
and the habitat was varied riparian. We became fascinated with a
couple of pairs of RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (I will never get used to the
colors of hummers). Our state of mind was interuppted by the sound of
gun-fire, though, coming from from just a few yards away from the spot
we were watching. Then, some "whizzing" went by us. It wasn't RUFOUS
HUMMINGBIRDS.

Stress forced us out of there, angry that we didn't have a chance to
see more. We did find the cars of the persons involved (apparently
belonging to a private security firm; I got the phone number but not
the name), but some calm-headedness on our part suggested we not
confront irresponsible target-shooters with a binoculars and scope.
(Both came in handy to tell us that they were of a larger size, though).

I want to go back on a more peaceful day. Does anyone have experience
with this particular location? With bare feet or boots it looks like
a nice place to check out provided NORTHERN IDIOTS aren't found.....

Thanks.

Marty Cassidy
cassidym at delphi.com
Seattle, WA