Hi all,

Yesterday (Sunday) a group of Bud Anderson's class students had a spectacular day on the Skagit Flats looking for raptors. The gorgeous day coupled with essentially no wind, and plenty of birds made it one to remember.

One highly unusual event produced a good image now posted on my website at http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=3341235&cat=38981 involved a Barn Owl actively hunting in midmorning. The bird presumably was quite hungry to be out and about at that hour, and its behavior appeared almost 'desperate' for a kill. It dropped to the ground multiple times, twice quite close to where I was photographing with no indication of any prey in the area, and came up empty-handed on all attempts. It eventually disappeared and presumably returned to roost.

On Saturday, I was fortunate to find a cooperative female American Kestrel west of Carnation Farm on 100th between Carnation Farm Road and West Snoqualmie Valley Road. She was intent on hunting and made several forays into a field nearby while I got my camera gear out of the car. She eventually landed in a spot perfect for isolating her against a complementary background, which produced the best image I've been able to get of the species. The link is at http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=3334640&cat=38975.

John Tubbs
Snoqualmie, WA
johntubbs at comcast.net
www.tubbsphoto.com