After reading Dennis Paulson's note about seeing the White-headed
Woodpecker at Wenas, I can't resist adding this note, even though I know
I could be accused of wasting tweeters' time by exulting over little birds.
In June, '92, I went across the mountains, searching again for this
woodpecker, and a few other birds, that had escaped me so long. After
having no luck in several forests, I wound up at Wenas. Walking the road
through the pines gave me great views of both bluebirds and all three
nuthatches, and then, on the way back I suddenly found this marvelous
black and white woodpecker just a few meters ahead of me at the base of a
pine, very tame and acting rather creeper-like as the books said it should.
This bird was so beautiful, and I had searched for it for so long, that
I just sank to my knees and enjoyed the sight for a while, and silently
thanked the forces of the universe for finally letting me see it. I'm
still waiting to see my second one. They are beautiful and exciting
birds. Wow, indeed!

Burt Guttman guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College Voice: 206-866-6000, x. 6755
Olympia, WA 98505 FAX: 206-866-6794