I just wanted to thank the many kind people who responded to my post last
week about my two failed attempts to track down the famed Snow Geese of
Skagit County, and who provided such excellent tips. My friend and I went
up again yesterday morning, first checking the end of the oft recommended
Rawlins Road, where there was nary a goose to be found. We thought,
"We're doomed. We're not fated to find these elusive 50,000 geese, who
are so good at hiding from us!"

But then we drove around Fir Island with the windows down, and finally
found the birds on Moore Road, and again a bit later when they moved to
Hanson Road. And my, what a glorious sight indeed! My friend, who is not
a birder, was especially impressed, and kept saying, "I've never seen so
many birds in one place! This is amazing."

So thank you again -- we were entranced all morning long as the geese
flocked from field to field. Absolutely astonishing and absolutely worth
the extra effort. Third time's the charm, I always say.

Cheers,
Alexandra (Alex) MacKenzie
alexam at u.washington.edu
Seattle