Over the weekend (Sat - Mon) we backpacked near Mt. Ste. Helens, in the
Coldwater Lake / Coldwater Peak area. This is accessed via Highway 504 from
Castle Rock - i.e. the west access.

In Coldwater Lake were several Goldeneye, I believe of both species. There
were also several American Dipper, as well as coots, Mallards, and some
Pied-billed Grebe.

Crossing into Skamania County, and climbing to higher elevations, we had a good
mix of species:

Turkey Vulture - 1 on Sunday
Golden Eagle - 2
Cooper's Hawk - several
Northern Harrier - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - several
American Kestrel - 3
Common Raven - many
American Robin - several
Mountain Bluebird - 20+, MF
American Pipit - several flocks of 30+
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 20+, with MOBL
White-crowned Sparrow - 30+
Golden-crowned Sparrow - 30+
Dark-eyed Junco - abundant
Savannah Sparrow - 3
Fox Sparrow - 5

On Sunday we hiked in the clouds, delighted with beautiful rime ice formations
on all the plants. It cleared upenough in the afternoon that we got to see
part of the mountain, and some nice views. Monday was cloudless and awesome.

In addition to birds, we saw several elk including a herd of 34 on Monday. The
elk serenaded us all night Sunday night, with their eerie whistling. There
were a few Mule Deer as well. We had several coyote sightings, and heard both
a chorus of many, and the barking of one. There were a few Golden-mantled
Ground Squirrel and chipmonks, but really very few.

It is a truly beautiful place.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== hummer at isomedia.com