Hi all,

I had a wonderful day of birding today; I "bagged" many species for my
official life list. :-)

First I headed north up West Snoqualmie River Road to visit the bald eagles
again, and snap some photos. Most of the birds were taking advantage of the
lovely day, and were catching some thermals above the valley. I got some
great group shots; one photo has eight soaring birds in one frame. I took
some pics of perched adults, and headed further up north.

I birded up at Crescent Lake first, and then came back down to the pond/lake
at the Eagle Perch Gun Club, just south of Bridge 41. Since it wasn't
hunting season, I saw a huge variety of waterfowl there. Species viewed
today:

Killdeer (~6 - 7 individuals, and one nesting pair)
Northern Flicker (counted 5 individuals, including one male calling/drumming
for a mate. Great display!)
Bushtit group
RWBL (dozens spotted; alas, no glimpse of the albanistic one at Lake
Crescent, though)
American Robin (too numerous to count)
Bufflehead (~10 - 12)
Greater White-Fronted Goose (yep, a positive ID)
Double-Crested Cormorant (1)
Northern Shoveler (2 pairs)
American Coot (~10 pairs)
Tree Swallow (too numerous to count specifically, but at least three dozen)
American Wigeon (6 - 8 pairs)
Mallard (~7 pairs)
Green-winged Teal (~12 - 14)
Ring-necked Duck (pair)
Ring-necked pheasant (1 male)

I snapped some terrific Killdeer photos, and even got a couple of lovely
photos of their nest while the brooding pair was off feeding about 100 yards
away. There are now four lovely eggs in the nest. If there is some
interest, I'd be happy to post the photos on the web after I get them
developed.

I must admit that I was very surprised to see the Greater White-fronted
Goose. But I got a great opportunity to view it on the water, standing on
land, and then it flew RIGHT by me as I was leaving the area. I got a
terrific close-up view through my binocs, close enough to see the detailed
feather pattern, and the white ring at the base of the bill. Fantastic!

Many thanks again to Hugh Jennings for his wonderful directions to Lake
Crescent and the Killdeer nest!

-Jacki Bricker
Woodinville, Washington