1) I'll give it a try, hoping to learn something by sticking my neck out! The "mystery sparrow" looks like a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW to me (with the caveat that I've never actually seen one, only pictures in books). My second choice, which I doubt, would be the adult tan-striped coloration of White-throated Sparrow (which I have seen), but I think they would have wing bars and the eyebrow stripe should be more tan and a bit broader.

2) I had a nice view from the Costco parking lot of a PEREGRINE falcon heading towards West Seattle.

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Gary Kelsberg <kelsberg at u.washington.edu>