Sunday I made a trip to Sunrise at Mount Rainier. I didn't get a long list of species, but had some satisfying encounters.
Driving into Enumclaw I spotted a Turkey Vulture rocking its way along.
Once at Sunrise, the Clark's Nutcrackers and Common Ravens made their presence known. Walking through the area known as the Silver Forest, I saw a pair
of soaring Red-tailed Hawks. In this area I also saw Dark-eyed Juncos, Pine Siskins, Cassin's Finches, and Gray Jays.
At one point I spotted a mob of 8-10 Ravens in the distance. Two seemed to be sticking together, and I noticed one of them was carrying a foot long stick with its feet. Periodically it would switch the stick to its beak, then
back again, all accomplished in flight. At the same time, the second Raven
pursued it, apparently trying to steal the stick. I'm not sure about this, as the first one would occasionally roll onto its back as if to say, "Here
it is! Help yourself." Perhaps it was just taunting, as Raven number two never managed to get the stick.
Suddenly, a juvenile Bald Eagle I had heard earlier appeared in the vicinity, and all the Ravens, along with the two RT Hawks, mobbed it. So much for sticks.
Later, near the parking lot, I saw an American Kestrel.
For you mammal fans, at Sunrise Point I had the longest, closest look I've ever had of a Pika. It was just 10 feet away and sat watching me calmly until I carefully walked away.
I'm used to them diving for cover when they spot me.

On the way down in the gloom of dusk, I spotted a Varied Thrush and Blue Grouse (which nearly stepped under my car) along the road.
A short list, but a good day.

Michael Brown ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1215 7th Street SE #G4 ( "You don't have to apologise for not )
Puyallup, WA 98372 ( knowing the names of the birds and )
206-845-8158 ( the stones." - Frank Moorhouse )
MBEB1215 at Delphi.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~