Subject: ...........Just 'buzzin' by!!!!
Date: Jul 24 18:37:04 2002
From: Gerald Hamilton - gerald at e-z.net


.....................Went through River S Unit---Ridgefield NWR, Vanc.
Wash. last Sunday (.....a bit late----pardon me!!!). Temps. in the
mid-80's & a blazing hot sun kept me from walking any more than the Kiwa
Trail this time around.
.....................Most of the seasonal marshes are dried up, though
there is still extensive water-filled areas at the north end of the Kiwa
Trail. The permanent wetlands have ample water in them.
......................Plenty of summer residents (songbirds, sparrows,
swallows, and hawks) flying around. However, of particular note were:
plenty of juveniles Am. Coots; 1 male Hooded Merganser( halfway into
non-breeding plumage): 5 Long-billed Dowitchers(in Breeding plumage); 1
Am. Bittern; 2 what appeared to be Black Terns flying overhead; several
Pied-billed Grebes; a small grayish bird--possible Flycatcher( no white
eye ring); lots of Savannah and Song Sparrows; Cedar Waxwings;
Goldfinches; a male Wood Duck ( again eclipsing into non-breeding
plumage, and...........many large black and yellow butterflies. Heard
some birds singing in the trees, but need more learning and proficiency
on the audio aspects before I can ID what I heard.
......................Then there was the black and gray cat slinking
through the tall grass. But.........we will not get into' that one'
!!!!!!! (-:

......................Have "a good one".

Gerald Hamilton
Brush Prairie, Wash.
gerald at e-z.net