Hi Tweeters,

This weekend, I had a successful birding and hiking trip to Sunrise at Mt. Rainier. Spent most of my time around the Burroughs and the Mount Fremont Trail. It was good exercise and I had a fun time!

I started the morning with a pair of PINE GROSBEAK near Frozen Lake area. As I ascended up to Mt. Fremont trail, a ROCK WREN was bouncing away along the rocks. While scanning for raptors along the Mt. Fremont trail, I happened to look at the saddle of the 'first' Burroughs and spied on a large herd of MOUNTAIN GOATS (roughly 30). I quickly made a detour and hauled my butt upslope to get a better look. I don't know who looked shaggier or felt more goaty after camping for two days without showering. Also within the vicinity, several immature and adult GRAY CROWNED ROSYFINCHES were feeding a few feet away from me.

Continuing towards Mt. Fremont produced alot of immature Mountain bluebirds, juncos, pipits, and a couple singing Fox Sparrows--always a nice sweet song to hear.

After some careful scanning near the Mt. Fremont Tower, I finally found in the lush area, one female WHITE TAILED PTARMIGAN with 3 chicks. She was about a hundred yards away. Moments later, while sitting down and having a snack with other hikers, a cooperative male was right by and dustbathed right along the trail. He eventually moved and perched right on some small rocks while looking at the magnificent views of Mt. Rainier. Such a tough life for an alpine chicken!! The non-birders were amused watching the non-chalant chicken.

I did some owling near Sunrise but was only able to hear a BARRED OWL and one NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL. Lower down in elevation, I got a weak response from a SPOTTED OWL.

Photos can be seen at:

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/recent_summer_images_2009&page=all

A great day to be out and about!

Good birding and enjoy your summer:

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)