Didn't realize that my observation of Sanderlings down here at Dumas Bay
would generate so much discussion. I don't have any doubt that that is what
they were; their wing stripes were clearly visible. As to the terrain, the
beaches down here are relatively sandy which seems to fit with other
people's observations about where sanderlings are likely to be seen.

On a different tack, this weekend, I took my six-year old son Aleksandr up
to Skagit to look for the snow geese. We didn't have any luck finding them,
unfortunately. I did talk to someone who had seen them earlier in the day.
The Skagit WRA was full of hunters and it started to rain just as we
arrived. I could have dealt witht he rain, but the hunters definitely
spoiled the ambiance, so we decided to head back home.

As we left the WRA, we saw a tundra swan land in a field. A little further
on, just past Conway on our way to Stanwood, I looked out into a field and
saw several more. "Look, Aleks, " I said, "there are a few more of them."
"No, Papa," was the reply. "There are lots of them." I looked again, and
sure enough, six-year old eyes are better than 42-year old ones: there were
about 200 of them foraging at the back of the field. We pulled off the road
and watched them from the car for about 15 minutes. During that time
another 20 or so came in, in groups of 2 and 3, and landed as elegantly as
one might wish. It wast a stirring sight. It was the first time that either
of us had seen them. A glorious experience that I shall not soon forget.
Steven Kimball
Federal Way, Washington
USA
kimball at halcyon.com