Spent a delightful couple of hours this afternoon enjoying the sunshine and
solitude of McDonald Park in Carnation. Crossed the footbridge and walked to
the end of the River Road Trail. Rediscovered the joy of "common" birds. The
trees were full of singing juncos, song sparrows, Bewick's Wrens, and winter
wrens. Lots of chickadees, bush tits, ruby-crowns, and Stellers Jays. Met
one person the entire two hours, something of a rarity these days.

Also rediscovered the benefits of sitting still, listening, and waiting for
the birds to come to me. Forced myself to stand still for fifteen minutes at
a time, listen and watch, to counter my tendency to plow my way along the
trail and miss a great deal.

Maybe it was just the sunshine after so many gloomy days, but today was
special.

Grant Hendrickson
Redmond