Subject: [Tweeters] updated photos 6-18-07
Date: Jun 18 22:06:57 2007
From: Ruth and/or Patrick Sullivan - godwit513 at msn.com


Hello Birders,

We have just updated our website with many,many new photos taken during our recent 5 day trip to eastern Washington. These photos include many specialty species,but also a few common species too. Of special interest were photos of a cooperative and curious Gray Catbird at a small camping area along the north shore of Palmer Lake in Okanogan Co. 2 birds were present at this location and most likely were nesting very nearby,so they used the camping area as an area to let campers hear them sing,as well as for foraging.
The Gray Catbird is definitely one of our favorite birds whenever we go to Okanogan Co. during the summer months!

In addition to one of many Gray Catbirds in Okanogan Co. we photographed one bird at Washtucna,where this species is a migrant. Addition, we were treated to Bobolinks at 5 different locations in Okanogan Co.,specifically in the Tonasket-Palmer Lake area. We noticed that several of the hayfields that we observed Bobolinks were already cut and rolled into bails,but several birds were noted singing from the cut hay on the ground. We enjoyed seeing the bright,distinctive males,but seeing the females was just as enjoying since they sometimes tend to be more secretive. Like the Gray Catbird this species is one of most favorite species when we visit Okanogan Co. in June!

Our trip started off well with a singing Black-throated Sparrow that we photographed just north of Wanapum State Park. This species is definitely a target bird for us every June and this location has treated many birders on an almost yearly basis for the last several years. Other key highlights during our trip that we managed to obtain photos of were a pair of Least Flycatchers at Cassimer Bar, Lewis' Woodpeckers along the Similkameen River near Oroville, two of five Gray Flycatchers along Cameron Lake Rd., a Long-billed Curlew along Chopaka Rd. and a few separate Ruffed Grouse along Aeneas Valley Rd. We have also placed many other more common species onto our gallery,including 2 butterfly species. It was a great trip with many nice species observed and photographed,which makes the trip even more special! Lastly, we wanted to mention that nearly all of our photos were taken hand held with no tripod so as a result many are not of the best quality,but good enough for us.

Our most recent photos can be viewed at the following link: http://www.pbase.com/godwit/recent_photos/


We hope you all enjoy our latest photos!



Good summer birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit513 at msn.com