Hi Tweets!

Here are some recent images of my trip to the Okanogan and Gray's Harbor area with Guy McWethy (Renton, WA) and Bill Bradford (Portland, Oregon).

Two great trips with Guy netting 2 state lifers and 30 county ticks, and Bill, seeing 3. Good company, great birds, and some fine scenery.

Some comical moments:

A beautiful, female WHITE TAILED PTARMIGAN crossing the road about 1 meter from Guy's feet at Slate Peak. First time, I have seen a ptarmigan crossed the road and the fancy chicken was 50 yards from our car!!

A RED KNOT and a STILT SANDPIPER coming out of nowhere and landing 10 feet from me! I was so into the moment, I did n't care that my sneakers got mucky and wet.

Literally picking up the male SPRUCE GROUSE so he wouldn't get shot from the hunters. What a gorgeous bird! Took a few attempts to lure him into the dense forest. I wonder why I still eat chicken!

Lastly, while camping near the Havillah Sno-Park, Guy heard a GREAT GRAY OWL hooting away late at night. Trying to triangulate where it is was, he soon discovered it was me, as my snores vibrated and resonated in the car.

My favorite shots are:

The flock of SANDHILL CRANE (seeing 600 elegant birds against the austere setting and moody skies was so mesmerizing); the male WHITE TAILED PTARMIGAN blending in so well with the rock. Also, I love Guy's photos of the female ptarmigan. This time of year, their plumages are so colorful and interesting. Quite elegant in her own way!

Most are not my best shots, but more for documentation.

Hope you enjoy,

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/recent_summer_images_2009&page=all

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)