Subject: [Tweeters] I would like to thank you all for the eagle watching
Date: Dec 30 00:46:25 2007
From: Neens - neens at wavecable.com


I would like to thank everyone who kindly contributed information for eagle watching on the Skagit river.

This morning, I took the Kingston ferry over, and arrived about 9:30. I spotted along I-5, an ENORMOUS owl in a tree just outside of Everett (sorry, couldn't drive and ID the owl... :O), then at the Twin Lakes ponds (I think that's what it's called) on the east side of I-5, there were more ducks than you could count in a month of Sundays (sorry - still driving). I saw tons of swans in the fields as well, the closer I got to Mt. Vernon.

Rockport State park has some very evasive Varied Thrush - I tried to photograph them, but they are such teases! Saw four of them at Rockport State Park.

My eagle count today was almost 60. I had a WONDERFUL raft ride from Swift Creek boat launch to Steelhead Park on 530. The Eagle Watch group was out in full force, offering folks binocular and scope views. Met some lovely people with them, and also the Sardis group was there with their bird presentation. They had owls, hawks, Golden and Bald eagles. Unfortunately, I opted for the raft ride instead of their presentation (well, for me it was fortunate! ). I counted about 60 eagles today, and a vulture, and lots of ducks.

Nary a drop of rain, and maybe quarter mile an hour breezes - WHEN there was a breeze. Headed back at 4p, BARELY got on the 5:50 ferry, and was back home (just outside of Seabeck) by 7p.

Lately, my day job has been delivering monumental stress, and my 76yo mother is very very ill, and just returned home from a three week stay in the hospital. Add to this, a normal household with teenagers, and hubby, and "life" - I've been so drained and overwhelmed, desperately needing some *ME* time. I needed this outing. Thank you all so very much for your wonderful information and suggestions. This will be a regular trip for me from now on. It was cleansing for the mind, soul and heart, and I can't begin to describe how refreshed and rejuvinated I'm feeling, and I learned so much today, it was magnificent!

Looking at my photos on the ferry coming home - it's really difficult to tell what's a keeper and what's not when you're looking at the viewer on the back of a camera. The only one I was REALLY sure was sharp as a tack, was an image of a song sparrow. I started laughing when I realized I probably drove 150 miles today for a sparrow picture. <grin> But doggone it, it's a dang good sparrow picture... hahha I will post a link to my images when I'm done (will have to get my bird book out and make sure everyone is named properly so I don't get a list smackin! hee hee).

Cheers,

nina

Bremerton
neens at wavecable.com