Hi Tweets:

Clarice and I just got back from a week of running survey lines in the
mountains above Marblemount. Tuned off of tweeters for that time so we
missed all the rehab vs. non native talk (I did glance at it in the digest,
however). Anyway-- this morning we got the wonderful treat of a bright
little Nashiville warbler singing his capped noggin off in a cascara tree
right outside of the window of our cabin. No need for bins, he didn't seem
to mind us watching through the window at really close range.

Anyway, while driving back to ole Puyallup down 167, just passing the Smith
Dairy near Kent, we encountered one of the dangers of non native species.
There was a white stork lolling around the field beside the freeway. At 60
mph I thought, "wow, a wood stork, now there's a vagrant," (or something
less literate, like "duh?") and proceeded to hit the brakes and swerve our
old Nissan pickup over to the side of the road like a crazed birder. Not too
smart, but we survived. The stork, somebody's pet, sported a big band on his
left leg and was quite the envy of several passing herons. I at least hope
he delivered someone in the Kent Valley a little bundle of joy, and will
bring them good luck with a nest on their chimney.

Jerry R. Broadus
Geometrix Surveying, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Puyallup, WA. 98371