Three days later and 579 miles we are back home, reminiscing the good
time we
had. We started by heading for Spokane Friday morning (to shop) and
then south
to Moscow. It was snowing and the snow and slush got thick on the
sides of the road.
We saw three cars (two of them 4x4 SUVs) in the ditch. We found the
farms in Moscow where the Great Gray Owl "had" been earlier in the
week. We hoped he might show up for us. No.

We arrived in Walla Walla about 4:30 and made a dry run to the dump
and Hussey
road so we would be ready in the morning. We waded in the mud at the
dump and
stood most the day with alot of nice birders watching gulls on Hussey
road. The adult GLAUCOUS GULL was a site.
Then, with the encouragement of Mike Denny and his wife, some of us
went to the Walla
Walla River Delta. Thanks to Mike and his good bread throwing arm,
the gulls came
in and the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was with them. It made the whole
day
worth it.
Then we crossed the road to Madame Dorian Park in search of a sparrow.
We did
find the WHITE THROATED SPARROW and that made two "lifers" for the
day. Great!
We headed towards Pasco with Patrick and Ruth Sullivan to see if we
could find the
Ross's Goose (a lifer). After scoping thousands of Canada Geese, we
decided we would have
to try again in the morning.
Patrick lead us to the airport in Pasco Sunday morning and we spotted
one BURROWING OWL. What a fun way to start the day. Patrick and Ruth
went back to Walla Walla and
we went back to NcNary Wildlife Refuge. We spent four hours there.
They have a blind
for observing and sat in it for awhile checking the water fowl. There
was quite a variety
including seven WOOD DUCKS and one LONG-TAILED DUCK. We never did see

the Ross's Goose.
On the way home in Moses Lake, Jerry saw a falcon diving at something.
We got turned
around and it was a GYRFALCON dive bombing a RING-NECKED PHEASANT. The

pheasant got away, but what a show.
Along Banks Lake there were 36 TUNDRA SWANS. We made it home before
dark.
What a great week end. Next week end is a three dayer....where to go?

Jerry and Sandy Converse
Grand Coulee, WA
mailto:sanjer at televar.com
http://ConverseCorner.com

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember, amateurs built the Ark and
Professionals built the Titanic.