I was hiking in the Federation forest and in Flaming Geyser State Park on
Sunday, and ran across two bunches of cedar waxwings. The first consisted of
about 6 birds, 4 juveniles and 2 adults, and they were demolishing a berry
tree (no idea what it was - looked like an exotic!). They weren't just ripping
the berries off, they'd grab a bunch of berries and jerk/rip until an entire
bunch, with dangling branches, was ripped off. Then they'd pick the berries
off that branch, and drop the branch to the forest floor. In about half an
hour they cleaned out the bush.

The other bunch, just at the start of the Flaming Geyser trails, were
sitting in a maple tree and preening. About 10 birds, 5 juveniles. There was
some interaction, but mostly the birds simply sat still (not even moving their
heads) or were preening themselves. Made it easy for me to really get a good
look at them.

(The "Flaming Geyser" was a let-down - simply a man-made phenomenon.)

The Green River Gorge is *beautiful* this time of year. I highly reccomend
the area for fall hiking.

Susan Collicott
camel at serv.net
Seattle, WA