Tweeters:
It took me a while to think if i join he group of birders what shared there
experience.We Had a Super Year to find many rare species in Wahingtonas
such:
Feb.6th Arctic Loon on Priest Rapid Dam
Feb.13th Lesser-Black-backed Gull in Walla Walla
June 18th Ovenbird near Packwood
July23th Manx Shearwater on Ocean Shores
Not to mention them all,but one bird realy stood out and not expected as
such.
It is the most wanted Owl in Washington.This Owl i saw brief on 9-27-1992 on
Mt.Rainier and also 1998 also on Mt.Rainier where the Owl flew direct over
my shoulder,but not the best view.
It was the night of September 28th of last year,where we already saw one Owl
flying around but never could put any light on the Owl.We already hiked a
long way and i realy was tired.When we decided to go and find more Owls.As
soon as we hit the trail, one Boreal Owl already give this lower toned
and more muffled "skew "call.This Owl called constantly we did not even had
to imitate the Owl call. As we was standing Patrick said the Boreal Owl
landed right behind him on a twig he said he heared the noice.We took the
flashlight and sure enough there was the Owl sitting so close less than 5
feet and looked at us, not with big dilated eyes,but so tame and relaxed,it
was almost unreal,as we kept the light on this Owl ,he did not even trying
to fly of.Than it hit me "NO CAMERA".We left it in the car,thinking negative
never to see the Boreal Owl so close ever. Patrick decided to go to the car
and get the camera.I watched this little Owl in the light for the longest
time,this sitting there so still.This before Patick came close,i dont know
if it was the noise of his footsteps but the Owl start moving little and
than give three "skew,skew skew" and he flew down the hill.I could easy
taken all kinds of photos of this Owl,but i still happy to see it so close.


Ruth Sullivan
Tacoma,Wa