Subject: [Tweeters] Updated PHOTOS of wintering owls, finches,
Date: Dec 29 14:14:05 2008
From: Khanh Tran - fsprucegrouse at yahoo.com


Hi all,

Well, here are my recent winter birding photos from this weekend. Got some decent shots but lighting was low so photos are not as good as I would like. The experience was really cool! See full trip report below.

My favorite were the Bohemian Waxwings bathing in the artic 'kiddy' pool at temps of 25 F. Maybe Jantzen Sports up North can take a hint for a new bikini/swimwear from these intrepid birds. A waxy swimsuit, hmmmm :)

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/recent_photos&page=all

Good birding,

Khanh Tran

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TRIP REPORT: 12/26 TO 12/28

I had a very interesting adventure this weekend as my car broke down in a remote area of the Okanogan Highlands in Northcentral WA (Chesaw, Havillah WA). So my normally insane, ambitious trip was quickly curtailed but I was not low in spirits.

Despite this, I had a great time and saw some wonderful birds in the two birding days I was there. My birding kharma continues.. It was super to share it with some locals who were involved in making sure I was safe and had a warm place to stay while my jeep was getting examined.

There were so many highlights but the cool thing was I saw 6 species of owls without any playbacks and some were out in the day light when most books claimed them to be strictly nocturnal. Nothing substitues for field experience!! For the most part, numbers were low and birdy was slow but with patience and persistence, it paid off.

More importantly in small towns such as Chesaw and Havillah, there is a definite sense of community and kindred spirits. An amazing network of help was apparent. So it was refreshing and appreciated to see this gesture during these bleak times. I heard and felt their plight as we drove to retrieve my jeep.

Although helpless, I was able to share my passion through my binoculars with them, while momentarily distracting them from every day life during these hard times. I can clearly see the spark interests when they saw the owls. It is amazing what nature can do.

Small deeds often have positive ripple effects and kharma works in mysterious ways. A corny sentiment but it works for me!!

All my problems are too miscule to mention and complain about.

Anyhow, here is my trip report:

GREAT GRAY OWL- We found two of these forest phantoms at dusk on Nealy and Chesaw Rd en route to getting my abandoned jeep. At one point, Judy who kindly gave me the ride was blown away at the sheer size of the bird. She keep telling the bird to look at me so I can get a photo. With complete darkness and not enough flash, the camera captured the snow flake so the photo looks like a bag of gray feathers in a snowball that you shake up as a kid. The bird did listen to Judy and it stared right into our souls with it's piercing, small yellow eyes.

LONG EARED OWL- Defying the rules of being strictly nocturnal, I found one bird one on a fence post on Mary Ann Creek Rd during the board daylight (around 1:30 PM). What a hoot to watch this elegant and graceful gympsy moth hunt, as it combed the snow covered fields. Diving and plunging into the snow despite coming up empty with no feast! Seen both days and I got to share it with a border patrol officer.

NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL- Luckily found this tame but petit bulbous puffball near the gravel road on Mary Ann Creek during the day as well (2:30 PM). At a glance, it looked like a bunch of pine cones on the branch. I was estatic to find it and share with a different patrol officer as well. I also watched it hunt from perch to perch.

NORTHERN PYGMY OWL- The pymgy owl capitol of the US--the Okanogan Highlands. I found 14 birds total during my two days and 8 in my last day!

I was able to watch several birds hunt from perch to perch. The towing guy, Gary got to see 4 birds within a 10 minute drive. He didn't realize an owl can be that small!

Birds were strewn on Bolster Rd, Chesaw Rd, Havillah Rd, Hungry Hollow Rd, Molson Rd, and Nealy Rd. Several were perched low about 15 feet off the ground to 50 feet.

BARRED OWL: One heard at the Havillah Sno-Park.

GREAT HORNED OWL: Three birds at dusk all on Havillah Rd.

SHARP TAILED GROUSE: Four birds feeding in the dense birch trees on Mary Ann Creek Rd early in the morning.

RUFFED GROUSE: Several birds on Bolster Rd and Mary Ann Creek Rd. What a lovely grouse they are. I really appreciate seeing them in the winter.

GRAY PATRIDGE: Roughly ten birds on Grange Rd.

NORTHERN GOSHAWK: One flighty adult on Havillah Rd on the aspens.

BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS: A nice flock on Mary Ann Creek Rd taking a bath in a thawed out, kiddy pool on this productive road. Clad in their sleek, boreal bikinis, the birds took turns diving in, splashing and finally drying themselves in a tree in 22 degree air temp before taking off in the horizon.

AMERICAN TREE SPARROW: Ten birds along Havillah Rd and the Ski Resort.

LAPLAND LONGSPURS: Two birds mixed in with a few snow buntings near Grange Rd.

SNOW BUNTINGS; A large flock of 150-200 birds on Nealy Rd. The Maurits Escher snowbirds are so mesmerizing to watch as they flush and fly against the shimmery snow and austere, rolling hills.

PINE GROSBEAKS: An excellent year for one of my favorite alpine birds as several flocks of these noisy but cheerful birds were found in the highlands.

A flock of 20 birds on Bloster Rd. 12 along the Sitmark Ski area, 15 birds on Mary Ann Creek Rd. Many were feeding on the ground as well as ornamental and coned trees.

GRAY CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES: A flock of 100 of these spumoni-themed birds on Hungry Hollow Rd. Always a joy to see!

WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS: A small flock of 10 birds on Bolster Rd and a few heard only on Poland China Rd.

COMMON REDPOLLS; These acrobatic but jittery birds were found on Mary Ann Creek Rd and Bolster Rd. 100 birds and 20, respectively.

HOARY REDPOLLS; Definitely two birds mixed in with the 20 birds on Bolster Rd. Stubby and short billed appearance along with overall paleness clued in me in to the birds. A small flock made it easier to fully examine and study since the birds are not as jittery and flighty.

I will post photos later!!!

All the best and good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)