The recent thread about the Neah Bay great egret prompted me to finally post
something. With purple martins pretty much gone for the season, I spent
Labor Day week out at Kalaloch Beach and Neah Bay (Shi Shi Beach & Cape
Flattery). I also drove past an egret in Neah Bay on the Waatch River, on
Sept 4. At Cape Flattery there were at least 3 tufted puffins almost
immediately below.

Shi Shi Beach wasn't particularly good for birds, but the scenery was
spectacular. I hiked out there for a few hours during the day, then in the
late afternoon decided to hike back to the car to get my backpack & return
so that I could spend the night down there. Parking was $10 at the house
closest to the trailhead. The new trail from Neah Bay is a wooden boardwalk
for about half its length, then it's the same dirt trail. The last scramble
down the bluff is somewhat challenging, and I saw a number of people wisely
abort their hike at that point. Bear resistant food containers are required
for camping, so I chose eat all my food before dark, and spend the next day
fasting.

Twice at Kalaloch Beach I saw a peregrine hunting along the beach, flying
fast and low along the base of the bluff at dusk.
It was a good week.

Kevin Li
Ballard, USA
kdli at msn.com