Another spot not far from the Manastash site Dennis describes, and where one
can see Purple, Cassin's and House Finches in close vicinity, is at the Elk
Heights exit on I-90 between Cle Elum and Thorpe. Exit to the north. Just
across the road that parallels the highway you will see a driveway that
leads back to a rambling assemblage of buildings from which radiate fences
built of old tires. These finches frequent the coniferous trees and
fencerows along the driveway and its dusty borders. Right west of there the
Morrison Creek canyon drops off to the north of the road -- another good
place, although the House Finches tend to stay closer to the buildings. I
have heard all three species singing at once in this locality in mid-May.

Hal Opperman
halop at corbis.com