While sitting at a dead stop in a traffic jam on Rte 203 north of Duvall
this morning, I was able to briefly watch as a half dozen bald eagles
foraged in the flooded fields east of the highway. Several eagles were
concentrated above a small area of remaining grass near the road, which
offered great close-up views as they circled about, searching for displaced
rodents. One flew across the road in front of me and landed in a tree
nearby and proceeded to eat its catch. I saw another one dive toward the
water and grab something, then was immediately accosted by another adult who
flew in to steal the catch. The traffic started moving again so I didn't
get to see who won. As I creeped slowly south toward Duvall I could see
several other eagles perched in the tall trees that line the west side of
the road. As a final treat, at the southernmost edge of the flooded field
just outside of the Duvall city limits, I saw a dozen swans foraging in the
water not far from the road. Being able to watch these majestic birds made
the miserable commute more tolerable.

-jody

Jody Breckenridge, north of Monroe
rural Snohomish County