Hi All -

We were fortunate enough to spend several hours Thursday afternoon at the
Kent Ponds. Great afternoon. On the southern observation tower we spotted
the male Peregrine, who had just flown up from the pond, after taking a
bath. He was sitting on a branch in a snag by the pond, and holding his
wings out in the sun, drying them? Very nice sight. We watched him for
about fifteen minutes, when he left the snag and flew across the pond and
made a couple of passes at an immature bald eagle sitting in another snag.
It was a half hearted pass, and the eagle didn't seem very concerned. The
Peregrine flew off and made several passes at some of the ducks sitting in
the pond, after which we lost sight of him.

After an hour hour of watching some of the other ducks, we ran into a
couple visiting from Florida. We talked to them for a while, and as we
were leaving they spotted the Peregrine again with their spotting scope.
He was then sitting on the log in the pond eating something. Presumably
his most recent prey.

In addition we saw a pair of Norther Harriers, a Kestrel (which is nesting
in the box near the north tower), meadowlarks, several Red Tails, a male
Common Merganser (in the Green River), male and female Golden Eyes, and
American Widgeons.

After we got back to the truck, we ran into the couple from Florida again,
who were looking for the Barn Owl, which roosts in the small park. We
helped them spot the owl, completing a very fine afternoon.

To top off the day, we had the opportunity of attending Bud Anderson's last
Raptor class in Seattle. A great experience!

Bill and Kate
Lake Sammamish