Hi Tweeters!

Once, on the Darrington-Rockport road a Ruffed Grouse in the middle of my lane
challenged my car full of birders. Oncoming logging traffic kept me from
driving around it and the honking pileup behind me couldn't see the bird.

Consternation reigned! I tried inching forward a little but can only describe
what followed as BIRD RAGE. It seemed to inflate to almost twice its size
while jumping up and down and back and forth in front of the car. We were
unable to tell if it was making any sound because of the passing trucks.

Finally it just walked off into the woods and we proceeded on our way, feeling
very much PUT IN OUR PLACE.

Amy McQuade
mcbrdwchr at aol.com
Mercer Island.