Thanks to everyone for replying to my first post. I appreciate all the feed
back as I am still at a stage where I cannot identify many of my observations
(although my wife and other non-birders think I am an expert already).

...from Dennis Paulson
> Welcome to tweeters, Jack. Is there any possibility that what you saw were
> Cedar Waxwings? They are constantly flycatching at this time of year, and
> they go in flocks.

It's true the coloration of the breast was similar to Waxwings, but I think I
would have recognized the head. I did get several good looks from the side.
That is how I was able to pick out the wing bars. Also, I did not hear the
Waxwing call (or song?) which I am familiar with. I was looking at the Stokes
Field guide yesterday evening at a book store and noticed a couple of fly
catchers (I think Hammond's was one of them) that looked similar to what I
think I saw. The biggest discrepancy is the size. I am beginning to think they
were not as big as I had thought. Anyways, I'm sure this will not be the last
time I can't identify something. It would not be as much fun if I could
identify everything easily.

>>I also saw passed ... two thrushes of some sort
>>on a log acros the trail. I did not get a good look at them before they flew
> >away.
>
> A spotted thrush in the mountains at this time of year is almost surely a
> Hermit Thrush.

Yes this was a spotted thrush and I was suspecting it was either a Hermit
Thrush or Swainson's Thrush from the pictures in my field guide.


And Gerald (Hamilton), thanks for the interesting information on Ridgefield. I
am glad you could confirm the Egret sightings. And thanks for the pointers to
the Julia Butler Hansen and Willapa refuges.

And on a different note, as I have been typing this message this morning, there
has been a steady stream of Blackcapped Chickadees and Red Breasted Nuthatches
coming to my window feeder here at my office. My boss is flying in from Texas
tomorrow to give my my yearly review. I hope he understands....

Jack



--
Jack Castro (206) 641-7001
Sr. Technical Representative
The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation
15400 S.E. 30th Place, Suite 101
Bellevue, WA 98007
Fax: (206) 641-6924
Email: jack.castro at macsch.com
WWW: http://www.macsch.com/