Tweeters,
Many thanks to those who responded to my RFI and helped me plan my recent trip to Seattle. I had great weather, met wonderful people, saw 31 life birds and even enjoyed the conference I finally went to in Seattle.
I will give a short description of where I went with life birds for me in ALL CAPS--

I flew into Seattle on Wednesday evening, 6/25, picked up a rental car, and headed south on I-5. I stopped along the way to try to take a picture of Mt. Rainier--the picture didn't come out but I got my first new bird--a VAUXS's SWIFT. After spending the night in Lacey, I went to Nisqually first thing Thursday morning, 6/26--
Barn Swallows with young
CLIFF SWALLOW with young
BLACK HEADED GROSBEAK immature
BEWICK WREN
WINTER WREN
House Wren
Tree Swallow entering nest in one of the big trees behind the visitor's center
VIOLET GREEN SWALLOW
PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER
BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE
WILLOW FLYCATCHER
WESTERN WOOD PEEWEE
SWAINSON'S THRUSH
Red Shafted N. Flicker--a new bird for me even though not a new species
Yellow Warbler
Cedar Waxwings
Robins
Red Winged Black Birds
Common Yellowthroat

I left Nisqually and headed north along the Hood Canal--I didn't expect it to be so wide (not a canal!). While poking around in Sequim I found a pair of
CALIFORNIA QUAIL.

Checked into a hotel in Port Angeles--after dinner I found PELAGIC CORMORANTS and GLAUCOUS WINGED GULL at the harbor.
The next day I saw PIGEON GUILLEMOT from the ferry to Victoria.
Nothing new at Butchart Gardens but it was fun to hear Juncos singing and there was a pair of adult Bald Eagles circling overhead--even the tourists were noticing.

On Saturday, 6/28, I drove up to Hurricane Ridge--in addition to the wonderful views I got
HUTTON'S VIREO and GRAY JAY on the ridge and
PINE GROSBEAK and PINE SISKIN at the picnic area.
On the way down I found several STELLAR'S JAYS

On Sunday morning I joined George Gerdts on the trip around Protection Island. The whole thing was wonderful, including meeting George, Robin Lewis and her friends, and all the others. New birds were:
RHINOCEROS AUKLET
HEERMAN'S GULL
MARBLED MURRELET
PARISITIC JAEGER
CALIFORNIA GULL
"WESTERN TYPE GULL"
NORTHWESTERN CROW (per George)
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER
TUFTED PUFFIN
Of course the 24 Eagles and the Elephant seal were also highlights.

After the boat trip I head for the Bainbridge Island ferry back to Seattle to participate in the NECC (National Educational Computing Conference).
On Tuesday morning, 6/31, I found time to take the bus out to Discovery Park--the ride through the neighborhoods was wonderful and I enjoyed the park also--
I picked up SPOTTED TOWHEE and BUSHTIT there in addition to lots of Song Sparrow, White Crowned Sparrows, Eagles sitting on the rock on the beach and a possible Olive Sided Flycatcher.
On Wednesday, 7/1, Robin Lewis took me birding in and around the U. of Washington and the arboretum. I realized as I started to write this that I can't say exactly where we were. But we had a great walk with lots of Song Sparrow, Bewick Wrens, Goldfinch, Bushtit, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and a possible Anna's Hummingbird.

So, I had a great trip, with 31 life birds, and lots of wonderful memories, thanks to all of you who responded to my RFI and the various posts in May that convinced me to go to Nisqually. Thanks so much,
The birding's great in Georgia too, so let me know, or post to GABO, if you are ever coming out this way--
Thanks again--

Betsy Ristroph
Augusta, GA
bristroph at knology.net
Betsy Ristroph
Augusta, GA
bristroph at knology.net