I had a few hours to check out the Okanogan Co. highlands today. I started at the Highlands Snow Park trying to find a Great Gray Owl. No luck today (I'll get one sooner or later. hehe). The dirt road to the left just before the park was open so I went several miles up that way. While I was trying to call in an owl, I finally noticed a Ruffed Grouse hunkered down so the owl wouldn't see him.

On the way out, there were 4 Wild Turkeys at the junction with the highway.

I got to Mary Ann Creek Road just after 5 pm and with not much light left just did a hurried once through. The only thing of interest was an adult and juvenile Golden Eagle near the road on the right just past the last of the beaver ponds. I really did not have a chance to wait around looking for any finches as I wanted to get back to Owl habitat before it got too dark.

With reports of White-Winged Crossbills and Common Redpolls already headed this way, I'm anxious to see what Winter brings.

Good birding to one and all,
Ron McCluskey
Cheney, WA
rmcclsky at mindspring dot com