A group of six White-tailed Ptarmigan were at the Mt. Fremont Lookout on an absolutely glorious morning to be in the Sunrise area. I first discovered them shortly after I arrived at 0800 by their rather noisy clucking. They were at first out of view just below the sharp dropoff on the left side of the ridge down (northward) beyond the lookout but in the next few minutes gave wonderful close views as they walked along the west slope just below the lookout. All were in intermediate body plumage (half gray-brown, half white). Two appeared to be males, with fairly prominent red eye combs and considerable black flecking remaining in the dorsal plumage. I might have enjoyed them for an hour if I hadn't had to catch an early afternoon plane out of SEATAC.

Three Pine Grosbeaks with yellow-green highlights were very accommodating right along the crest of the trail to Frozen Lake; seen both on the way up and on return.

Chris Floyd
Lexington, MA
chrisf at mitre.org