On Jan. 13, 2003, 3:05 p.m., I observed a gray gyrfalcon perched in the snag
in the middle of the field across from the horse farm E. of Snohomish. He
was sitting with his back to me. His barred tail extended well beyond his
wingtips. When he turned his head the profile showed a pale ?mustache?,
yellow cere, and a very white throat/breast. When he stretched his yellow
legs were visible. After sitting for some time, he flew out coursing over
the swans and Canada geese in the field and returned to another limb on the
same tree, this time facing me. He belly was very light with some barring.
A spectacular bird!

Also, among the approximately 75 Canada geese, I noted one bird with no
white chin strap, all dark head and neck.

The swans were a mixed group of Trumpeters and Tundras, mostly Trumpeters.

Joyce Kelley
Snohomish, WA
mailto: jikel at premier1.net