I was out at the Monroe Honor Farm on a tour with students of the new
methane digester. At lunch I wandered around the grounds and spotted a very
handsome kestrel perched on a fence post. After a minute or so it flew low
to the ground, then swooped up under a crow that was perched on a wire,
coming at the crow from below and behind. As the kestrel zoomed up to it,
the crow let out a squawk and sort of fell off the wire with an awkward
looking flutter of wings and then flew to the top of one of the buildings. I
held my breath wondering if the kestrel was going to go at the crow again
but instead it flew past me and gave an odd waggle of its wings, a quick
lateral dip as it flew which I interpreted as a chuckle from startling the
crow. A bit later I walked along the edge of the road and in the wetland
waterway was a gorgeous Wood duck who proudly led a small line of 3
ducklings. Although several students got quite close, the duck was very
visible and made a fine ambassador to the world of birds.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish County