Subject: [Tweeters] Red Crossbills, Pt. Defiance
Date: Jul 25 14:52:03 2008
From: Mark Vernon - ma_vern at yahoo.com



Today I observed a family of Red Crossbills drinking from a puddle in the Japanese Garden at Point Defiance Park. The puddle was created by sprinklers. The parents with four juveniles landed together. I was kicking myself for not having my camera with me. The male noticed me watching them through my binoculars, he cocked his head as he stared back. These birds have always struck me as appearing to be very intelligent. Then again I am prone to anthropomorphisms. There were many more Red Crossbills out in the forested parts of Point Defiance. Cliff Swallows and a couple of Purple Martins were also flying around this garden.
?
Mark Vernon
Renton, WA
mailto ma_vern at yahoo.com

?