More years ago than I care to say, I had taken visiting family and friends
to Deception Pass. As I clambered on the rocky heights in the middle of
Pass Island, I noticed a fair-sized raptor slowly working its way to the
east along the southern channel between the tiny island and Whidbey's
northern extreme. It was obviously a laborious struggle, tacking against
the stiff breeze coming from onshore.

This was back in the days when I didn't own a camera (how odd that feels
now), and didn't know a mallard from a sea eagle (not much different today
:)). Yet, there was something wonderfully-relaxing about watching this bird
on its appointed task.

As the raptor reached the eastern edge of Pass Island, it banked gracefully
and, with the wind at its back, rocketed through the pass, under the bridge,
and into the waters of Puget Sound at breakneck speed.

About halfway down the Deception Pass State Park Beach, it then turned and,
diligently, flapped against the wind to slowly return and pass my aerie
lookout on the island. Redux, it banked and raced pell-mell through the
pass.

I watched this three times, and to this day wonder if the bird thought this
activity was "fun", or any number of other anthropomorphic encumbrances for
it. For each minute of afterburner jet flight, there were 15-20 minutes of
Wright Brothers. Even without a camera, my memories of that long-ago late
morning are still sharp. And I also wonder if I watched something unique or
everyday in its life.

00 caren
http://RealistAtLarge.blogspot.com
George Davis Creek, North Fork