Just afternoon, 12:10pm to be exact a kettle of 22 vultures spent several
minutes gaining altitude over the Tahuya area near the great bend on south
Hood Canal. They had come in low down the Tahuya River valley below me and
began kettling over the north shore of the canal near the community of
Tahuya. After about 5 minutes they had gained several hundred feet altitude
and began pealing off and heading south, much like a squadron of fighter
planes.

About 10 minutes later a small group of 5 more vultures (stragglers from the
other group maybe) came through and kettled before heading south. The
second group had 3 red-tailed hawks with it that was using the same uprising
thermal to gain altitude.

While sitting the the doorway after lunch watching the vulture show I was
also entertained by a young flicker trying to get the last remaining fruit
from off the dogwood tree.


Mary Hrudkaj
Belfair/N. Mason County