Tweeters,

After recovering from that wind storm, my family and I went to visit
Riffe Lake (near Taipanam Park) to look for ducks. This is the part
of the lake where it is the Cowlitz River turning into a lake. We
went out in the midst of a vast mud flat/lake bottom area but no
birds or animals whatsoever. I had heard recently that waterfowl
spotting wasn't that good at Riffe lately and was ready to be
disappointed when we noticed two little spots soaring overhead.

My wife said hawks but I thought one was a crow. Took a look thru
the binos and fantasized that one of the spots was an eagle. Sure
enough it circled the area getting lower and lower until ended up
spiraling around a huge tree and landing in the top of it. We got
pretty close but I ended up spooking it stupidly so it flew away.

Later on the way out we saw 3 couples of Green-winged Teals hanging
out with 3 couples of Mallards in a pond right below the tree.
Guess we saved those duck's lives. :)

I guess the eagle makes it hard to gauge whether waterfowl are to
be seen at that end of Riffe Lake. I used to see a lot there in
previous years but it does seem to be rather bleak. Could be the
weather. It was a Bald Eagle. The other spot was a crow.

We also stopped by Mayfield Lake on the way (Ike Kinswa SP). Saw
two Double-Crested Cormorants, three Buffleheads, two American
dippers, assorted pigeons. Plus saw a young hawk on a power line on
the plateau above the park and another hawk/falcon in my yard when I
got home. No id on these hawks tho cuz they wouldn't sit still.

Brice Matson
Cinebar, Lewis County, WA
mailto:matson at myhome.net