I should have realized early this morning. The water was pouring so
heavily off my roof it woke me several times. But I got up and prepared for
work as usual. When I looked around the yard as I left in the dark, I
noticed nothing unusual.
Then I made the turn out of my little neighborhood on to the the
street which carries me most of the way to work. I accelerated as usual and
suddenly had to slow to a crawl. The wetland on either side of 136th near
Military Road here on South Hill/Puyallup was now ON 136th. Luckily it
wasn't too deep and I made it through.
When I arrived at my school, Firgrove Elementary, things looked
fairly normal. Then I was informed all the storm drains were backed up, in
fact were welling up and flooding the playground and play field. As the sun
came up, I noticed a pair of Mallards paddling around on the field.
Eventually they were joined by American Wigeons, Canada Geese,
Glaucous-winged Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, and some unidentified but
different gulls.
Later, well beyond "Lake Firgrove", on a higher part of the field, I
spotted a (I think) Red-tailed Hawk strolling around. It appeared to be
searching for whatever critters were forced out of the rain-soaked ground.
Several of our classrooms had rain water seeping through the walls
and soaking carpets. It was an interesting day especially since my fourth
grade students were remarkably calm through it all.

Michael B. Brown "You don't have to apologise for
13406 125th Av. Ct. E. not knowing the names of the birds
Puyallup, WA 98374 and the stones." -Frank Moorhouse
H-206-841-4281
W-206-841-8733
borealis at borealis.seanet.com