We have had a pair of Red Shafted Flickers at the suet feeder all winter.
Beautiful birds. Now one, the male I presume, has established his drumming
site on the aluminum gutter three feet from the window of the master
bedroom. We don't hear him during the week but every Saturday and Sunday
he is there at 0630 hours. Yelling out the window does not work for over
two minutes. Walking outside does the trick but then I'm awake watching my
bride go back to sleep. Sometimes life just ain't fair. I am getting a
good start on the day but afternoon naps have become an important part of my
weekend routine.
Our neighborhood assassin, Sharp Shinned Hawk, female persuasion, has been
seen only rarely. The twice daily flock of Evening Grosbeeks has dropped
from about 25 to 5 or 6 in the last three weeks. I suppose they are out
starting families somewhere. The Violet Green Swallows returned this week.
I moved last years unused swallow houses into what I hope are more appealing
locations. It's really nice to have them back in the neighborhood.

Clean binoc's and steady hands, Steve

PS. We were working Northern Puget Sound today. Watched a seal lion eat a
7-8 pound salmon. We also found a Gray Whale off of Possession Bar, East
of Pt. No Point. High points in a day plagued with mechanical equipment
that just did not want to function properly, or at all in one case. Still
a very pretty day to be on the water. I thought of Jerry Converse when I
saw the whale. Never met the gentleman but surely enjoyed his posts and
pictures. Who knows, perhaps he saw it too.


Steve Aubert
email: steve.aubert at metrokc.gov