Subject: Chukar in Northgate back yard
Date: Jun 23 08:13:15 2004
From: cametobe at comcast.net - cametobe at comcast.net


I was out picking raspberries last night in our small, fenced, grass-and-cement back yard when I heard a slight rustling in the grass behind me. I turned slightly and saw a chukar about 3 feet away! I froze, and it came within about 18 inches of me, then turned back and poked its way down the sidewalk towards the back gate, nipping dandelion buds as it went. Once it was out of sight behind the garbage cans I got the camera and sat down, and it came back again, very leisurely, almost to my feet, checking out food sources.

Then it went back along the sidewalk, tootled along the garage and into the far back corner (more raspberry bushes, tall weeds, some car parts). I stayed out for a while longer but didn't see it again, and of course I didn't go looking for it. Our yard is completely fenced, altho the front gate remains open, so it must've flown in from the unpaved alley in the back.

What a treat!

--Rebecca Galloway
Northgate, Seattle