Taking the scenic route back to Seattle from Whidbey Island this evening, Wendy and I happened upon a bizarre sight along Norman Road between Stanwood and Silvana. A cow was down in a pasture, obviously dead, with a Turkey Vulture sitting quietly a top the swollen abdomen. I've heard that they can't puncture a cow's hide, so apparently it was waiting for a coyote or something to get it started.

Another unusual sight, though not so macabre, occurred on Maupin Road by the Jensen Access. Seven sandpipers, I think they were Leasts, along with one Killdeer were pecking around the puddles on the tarmac. It was a very high tide. Saw lots of shorebirds along the shores of Whidbey Saturday and Sunday.

Good Birding, Alan Roedell