Hi,

I had a great time this past week, finding my way around so many areas of Eastern Washington, the Columbia Wildlife area, where Lower Crab Creek gave me excellent opportunities to study songbirds, really listen and work on them. Trying to photograph them however was a challenges. The day I spent in Lower Crab Creek ( and hit Para Ponds in the afternoon) was a bit windy, the sun was glaring, and I really had to struggle to figure out settings on my camera setup, as the lighting was changing, bird location changing, etc.........It is easy to take photos in my back garden, and I have been quite spoiled.

I am enclosing at the end of this, my flickr attachment for those who are interested. Yellow Breasted Chats were in abundance in the Lower Crab Creek area, a few Lazuli Buntings, at the end of the riparian habitat, Grasshopper Sparrow was a highlight bird for me there. Also heard Canyon Wrens, and Rock Wren, whom I was later able to get close views of trying to find my way out of there!

(too close for digiscoping, but that is the way it goes!

Another highlight was on Tuesday, when I spent a number of hours in the small riparian habitat in Moses Coulee, which is adjacent to Rimrock Meadows. This area is hard to get to, and full of ticks! (I used almost a whole can in 2 days)

In this location I am told I got the first record and photograph of an Olive Sided Flycatcher for Douglas county.

i will later today, work on my blog and give more detail that would not be of interest here.

Years ago when I was able to take regular field trips, Ken Brown took our group to some of these areas, and they were memorable trips. I so badly wished I could have gotten on the phone with him and asked, "where was that location???" He is a fine leader, and I am glad he continues to lead the trips he does.

Thursday was the top off for me, taking the day off from driving and going on Bob Sunstrom's Birding By Ear class. Very enjoyable, and it was a great finale, getting to work more on those bird songs! I was also refreshed to find old locations I had not been to in years.



Anyway, my Memorial Weekend came early, and it was a blast. I did run the car wash off the car, and kicked the dried mud off the mud flats. I only hope my husband does not notice the miles on the Subaru!



Have a great weekend everyone and may all your birding be fun!

Vicki



http://www.flickr.com/photos/saw-whets_new/



Vicki Biltz Bonney Lake Wa. vickibiltz at msn.com http:www.BirdsofEilat.com http://sawwhetsnew.blogspot.com/