Tweeters,

I just completed a satisfying and successful ?Slow-Paced? field trip for
Seattle Audubon and I wish to recommend the idea to other trip leaders.
For over 8 hours, we traversed 2 to 3 miles at a relaxed pace at Sunrise
taking time to examine plants and mammals to the extent of the group?s
general interest. One of the high points was a half an hour spent with a
displaying Sooty Grouse on the road west of the parking lot. This was a
life bird for some on the trip. The views were very close, and when the
bird made it clear that it wished to cross the road in front of us, we
were delighted to stand aside and admire.

Perhaps most satisfying to me personally was the time spent watching a
Nutcracker in a nearby small and very healthy looking white bark pine
expertly chisel away at a large pinecone. The energy of the task and the
quick-but-careful manipulation of its long, sharp bill were fascinating.
The wildflowers were a big hit and we all appreciated the knowledge of
two members of the WA Native Plant Society as we enjoyed the mountain?s
bounty. A pika was a life mammal for some on the trip, and we had a
wonderful time watching this adorable critter. Marmot young were
gamboling all about in the meadows below, and I mistook the sound of a
juvenile Nutcracker gleefully choking down a parent?s meal for some new
Gray Jay vocalization.

On the way home, someone remarked that this was their favorite way to
bird, relishing quality views and interesting behavior. Every one of us
saw something new today.

Patricia S. Lott
Seattle, WA
mail to: VariedThrush at comcast.net