Hi all,

Here are some recent images from this weekend birding trip to the Okanogan Highlands near Chesaw, WA.

Birding was very slow but we had a successful trip with quality looks of several wintering species.

Some highlight moments...................

We had a fearless, NORTHERN PYGMY OWL that perched 6 feet in front of us anddown low while looking for prey. We had a total of 9 pygmies for the two days. We love their false eyes, and arched eyebrows. At one point, the pint-sized owl flew about one foot above my client's head. I finally got some decent photos of these birds after many failures!

For the first time, we got to witness a large flock of 400 SNOW BUNTINGS perched in trees rather than on wires or open fields. They were stunning against the blue skies and so mesmerizing to watch as if we were gazing in a complex kaliedoscope.

There is one distinctive SNOW BUNTING in the photo that is almost in complete breeding plumage. Sibley's shows them reaching this form around March. Have a look, at first it made my heart jumped a bit:)

Watching the perky and bouncy DIPPER do its move on the snow and swim in frigid water was a hoot. So charming and entertaining!

I included a few images and particularly like the BALD EAGLE perched on the hoar frost branches and gray background. What a regal bird indeed!

We had a great time in the magical Okanogan!

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

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)