Sunday I was able to take the long way to work in Omak.

I lest Cheney at 10 AM and headed for Sprague. There were a lot of ducks in the Sprague sewer ponds (Lincoln Co.), but the lighting was not good for photography. It appeared that most were shovelers.

Sprague lake was pretty dead. I saw a couple of Red-Tailed Hawks and Marsh Harrier and two Chipping Sparrows (Lincoln & Grant Co.).

Taking the back roads to Soap Lake, I stopped briefly at Brook Lake (Grant Co.). Two birdwatchers were there already with a scope out and reported that all they had seen were Canada Geese and American Coots. I did not find anything additional.

South Beach of Soap Lake (Grant Co.) was more productive. There were about 20 each of Long-Billed Dowitchers and Pectoral Sandpipers. The Long-Billed Dowitchers were much more cooperative with posing for photographs, but I was able to get a few decent pics of the Pectorals as well including both in flight. A single Least Sandpiper made an appearance. I've included a picture, but it was far enough away to make a better one impossible. The usual numbers of Ring-Billed Gulls were present and I've included a couple of photos of them as well.

My next stop was the road to Lenore Caves. There were a few Mallards, American Coots and Shovelers, but not close enough for pics.

Driving slowly past the north end of Blue Lake, I was excited to see the low forms of some Loons. I turned around and found a suitable parking spot to get a few pictures of Common Loons. There were about 6 of them scattered in the area. They all had black on the bill.

My last stop was the marina at the south end of Banks Lake near Coulee City (Grant Co.). Among the several hundred American Coots was a pair of Canvasbacks and a single eared grebe.

I've posted quite a few photos at http://canondigitalslrs.com - enlargements can be seen by clicking on the thumbnails.

I'm hoping to do the Cameron Lake loop (Okanagan Co.) in the morning. I'll post results when I get a chance.

Good birding to you all,

Ron McCluskey

Cheney, WA

rmcclsky at mindspring dot com