Subject: [Tweeters] Eastern Washington, Othello and CNWR, March 31
Date: Apr 1 19:15:24 2008
From: Marvin S. Hoekstra - marvin.hoekstra at verizon.net


I headed for Othello on Monday with the thought of photography of Sandhill
Cranes and hoping to scare up one of those Chukars that have been appearing
to various Tweeters. This was not to be, as I did not see any of either,
even with good directions to the cranes from a fellow photographer. On the
Corfu Rd I spotted a Golden Eagle straight overhead and relatively low being
harassed by a Red Tailed Hawk. In the same area I saw a flock of about 20
Yellow Headed Blackbirds fly up and maneuver in a kind of formation before
sailing off; at least a third of them were males. The Great Horned Owls
are still on the nest on SR 26 E of SR 17, but Scootenay Reservoir was
occupied solely by 6 Canada Geese and a few Red Winged Blackbirds at 9AM. I
did note a Long Billed Curlew in a neighboring plowed field. Heading north
into Columbia NWR from McManamon Rd I spotted what appeared to be a Northern
Harrier, but it was overall quite a bit whiter than what I am accustomed to,
such that the white rump did not stand out. More than one coyote was
lurking about. There were abundant Rock Doves on the basalt cliffs and
Violet Green Swallows were present in general. At the O'Sullivan Dam
holding back the Potholes reservoir I came across a fellow photographer
staked out on the Snowy Owl mentioned by the Olivers on Sunday, which I duly
photographed as well. Other birds generally present included Black Billed
Magpies, Green Winged Teals, Song Sparrows, White Crowned Sparrows,
Western Meadowlarks, Coots, etc.

On the way home I detoured to Fort Simcoe, arriving as the sole visitor
about two hours before sunset. On this sunny afternoon it was a very
beautiful and peaceful place, with what appeared to be 50- 100 Lewis's
Woodpeckers eating acorns, working at this or that, and flying around in the
golden late daylight. Also present were Kildeers and American Kestrels.
Multiple Starlings, ominous to me because I have heard they push out the
woodpeckers, were also in evidence.

For those who enjoy the sensation that man has not conquered nature just
yet, last night's return drive over Snoqualmie Pass was to be recommended.
>From the pass on down to North Bend, visibility was in short supply due to
the blast of snowflakes on the windshield. As snow built up on the pavement
I resorted to roadside reflectors and chatter strips to be assured I had not
left the pavement. Slowed down to 20 mph I was passed rapidly by heavily
laden trucks whose drivers either had no problem with visibility, or were
faking it. A large pickup truck passed me going a careful 30; in spite of
that, a few minutes later I spotted this truck in the left median ditch.
I also had the experience, I hope not to be repeated, of sliding sideways
along the highway, after I lost grip at a lowly 25 mph. Luckily there was
no following traffic and the road was straight. What does this have to do
with birds? Nothing, but just a reminder that the passes can be hazardous
and unpredictable even in "spring," no matter what you are driving.



Marvin S. Hoekstra

Sammamish, WA

marvin dot hoekstra at verizon dot net