Tweets,

Hi,... Fourth of July is no exception; I went Atlasing, this time with
Ken Jacobson and my wife's dog, Ella, up to the Greenwater area. It was
wet until about 8:30, but as the cloud ceiling lifted we worked our way
upslope through a mix of clearcuts all the way to the summit of Kelly
Butte on the White/Green River divide (actually the butte is a monolithic
basaltic formation perched just north of the divide). The top is a flat
wildflower garden about a km square all above 5200 feet. Dynamite views,
even with all the higher peaks shrouded. "Had" (sorry, Dennis) a hoary
marmot near the top. Seems a bit far west and a rather scarce mammal in
the county. Also glimpsed a Golden Eagle fly from the crags and soar
rock-solid towards Mt. Rainier for at least several minutes before my
arms gave out holding up my binos. A Turkey Vulture just wouldn't soar
like that, I don't believe. AT least it seemed a great spot for a Golden
Eagle to nest. Also had one singing Rock Wren on the eastern cliffs.
Saw one more kestrel, a fine adult male this time on a steep clear cut
just north of the town of Greenwater and heard one Dusky Flycatcher
singing nearby. Dipper's nests under most of the bridges. They do look
cozy. We now have at least some data from 251 of the 275 blocks in the
county and have targeted the rest. Any backpacker birders out there
interested in so Alpine Lakes treks in the next few weeks? Please let me
know.

Gene Hunn (524-8112 at home; 543-6825 at work)

PS: Kevin Aanerud climbed McClellan Butte for the Atlas Monday and "had"
a Spotted Owl near the summit (ca. 4000 feet) staring at him from 12 feet
away!